Sandringham’s forward options (From L-R): Emma Runnalls, Eliza Gleadell, Sienna Fogarty
There are three unbeaten teams left in the league after eight rounds and while South Melbourne and Box Hill were expected to be thereabouts come the end of the season, Sandringham’s unbeaten record so far is a bit more surprising.
That’s not to say they look out of place at the top of course, or that they lack quality in the side. Sandringham have consistently been in finals contention over the past few seasons, and even came close to winning it outright two years ago. But with a new batch of youngsters coming through this season, surely no one would have tipped them to remain undefeated eight weeks in. Not to mention the fine cup run that has sees them one step away from lifting the Knockout Cup this Sunday. Oh and there’s also a tiny matter of not having a specialist keeper till Peta Horman’s return this past weekend.
Four goals conceded in eight games represents a very tidy effort in defence, but it is in attack where Sandringham have flourished this season. A return of 28 goals is nothing to be sniffed at, a record bettered only be Bundoora and Sunday’s cup opponents South Melbourne in the league. Even without the injured Ashley Brown, the team from Sandringham have had no difficulty finding the net this season, as their 3.5 goal average indicates.
Ahead of this weekend’s Knockout Cup Final at the Veneto Club, we take a look at the players who make this season’s Sandringham attack such an irresistible force.
#10. Stephanie Tanti, 21 (Attacking Midfielder/Forward)
League Appearances: 8
Goals: 6
Assists: 3
A case can be made that there is no finer trequartista in the Women’s Premier League. Stephanie Tanti sits in the hole just behind the forwards, creating endless havoc with her ball distribution skills while occasionally darting forward to score goals as well. She might have been a little too lightweight for the W-League, but at this level the Sandringham forward is nothing if not deadly.
Tanti drifts between the lines as only the best playmakers can, finding space where there seemed to be none and threading passes through the tightest of gaps. Shutting down the Sandringham No. 10 might go some way to stopping her team, but that’s easier said than done and even then, you still have the other forward options to worry about. Therein lies the problem – do you collapse on Tanti and risk giving someone else a free run or do you mark her normally and hope she has an off day?
#9. Emma Runnalls, 18 (Striker)
League Appearances: 8
Goals: 5
Emma Runnalls is deceptively quick, which might go some way to explaining her goal tally so far. 5 goals in 8 games puts her comfortably within the top goal-getters in the league. The striker is well on track to beat her 8 goal haul from last season with 14 games still to go and has shown no signs of letting up. Even taking a ball to the eye socket against Heidelberg two weeks ago seems to have done little to slow her down, as she defied injury concerns to return and score against EAP.
Runnalls’ strengths are twofold, with her above average speed and power making her a difficult conundrum for opposition defenders. Casey Comets were the unfortunate victims in the Knockout Cup semifinals as three goals from an on-form Runnalls eliminated them from the competition.
[colored_box color=”blue”]”I think we’ve played really well so far this season, it’s good for other people to know we’re a good side, especially if we beat South Melbourne. Because no one has yet, it’d be good to be the first.” – Runnalls[/colored_box]
#8. Nicola Prins, 22 (Striker)
League Appearances: 6
Goals: 5
Assists: 3
An eye-catching capture from rivals Casey Comets in pre-season, Nicola Prins has slotted into her new team as if she’d always been there, combining well with the other forwards and contributing with goals aplenty. The striker was Casey’s top scorer last season with 11 goals, and fans would no doubt have been salivating at the prospect of having her link up with Tanti (who’d also top-scored with 11 goals last season). The duo have not disappointed so far, although Prins has been unable to make the last two league games due to personal matters.
The season started with a bang for her though as she scored the club’s first goal of the year against Ashburton, proving more than capable of leading the forward line or drifting on to the wing when required. Natural born goal scorers are highly prized, and it’s not far off the mark to say Sandringham got themselves a real steal.
#18. Sienna Fogarty, 20 (Wide Midfielder/Winger)
League Appearances: 8
Goals: 5
Assists: 2
Despite a more withdrawn position than her peers, Sienna Fogarty is as much a vital piece of the attacking framework as the rest of Sandringham’s forward options. Besides the glaring fact that she’s scored as many goals as strikers Prins or Runnalls, there’s also her standout performance against Altona City in Round 6, where she laid the first two goals on a plate for Tanti and Prins, before scoring a scorcher of her own shortly after.
The midfielder’s tendency to gallop forward from deep can confuse defenders who are already busy keeping an eye on Sandringham’s myriad forward options. Give Fogarty an inch of space and she’ll pounce, her early season form is testament to that.
[colored_box color=”blue”]”It’s good to have young players coming up, they’re quick and enthusiastic and having them playing early is a lot better for their development.” – Fogarty[/colored_box]
#12. Eliza Gleadell, 28 (Striker)
League Appearances: 8
Goals: 1
The last of our players tonight is also the most experienced, with Eliza Gleadell having spent 11 years at the club. She might not be as glamorous a forward option as her younger peers, nor is she an automatic starter, but it is her willingness to come off the bench when needed that makes Gleadell invaluable to the club.
Her first goal of the season against EAP on the weekend was just reward then, as she outmuscled her marker on the right flank, hurdling her fallen opponent and dashing into the box where she cracked a shot in from an angle. The quality of the goal would probably have given Gleadell a boost of confidence and she will be raring to go if given a starting spot or summoned off the bench on Sunday.
[colored_box color=”blue”]”Winning the cup would put us in good stead for the second half of the competition, so of course you want to go there and win.” – Gleadell[/colored_box]