In the eyes of some supporters, Sandy's improved position could be seen as being offset by a very poor last half to its season when the team slumped badly after a promising start. Others might even say that the team threw away a golden opportunity for high honours after being well placed in the top four at the midpoint of the season. The truth is that the team was never destined to fight out the finals beyond their second week as injuries problems mounted through the latter half of the season and finally took their full toll. By season's end, the club was contesting finals with several players who were plucked by necessity out of the reserves against teams which did not have their team depth tested in the same manner. By way of contrast, the Cats who beat Sandringham convincingly in the semi, had their ranks bolstered by the return of several players from their AFL ranks including former a All Australian in Mitchell White. 

The season started with the loss of some experienced campaigners, the most notable being legendary premiership skipper David Macgeorge due to a work transfer to N.S.W. Campbell McKellar and Mark Haynes were both also sorely missed along with young Luke McNicholas who had been a regular ruckman in the previous year. The Zebras also lost some regulars from among the Melbourne listed players of the previous year and they were replaced by an inexperienced group of hopefuls who cut their teeth in VFL ranks during season 2002. The club also introduced a many new faces but they were mainly home grown products from the Sandringham Under 18 team who needed time to develop. 

One stand out recruit was utility Mark Ainley from the Kangaroos who proved a tenacious player with good ball winning ability. Other youngsters to make their senior debuts for the Zebras were Chris Bryan, Brendan Donnelly, Robert Ferraro, Barnaby Howarth, Jonathan Kane, Ryan Sawers, Darren Sutton and Andrew Treloar. Ferraro was particularly impressive early in the season when some at the club were talking of him in terms of being future captaincy material. Unfortunately, his form fell off a little with the effects of a tough first year in senior ranks. Treloar was a big improver over the season and earned a regular place with some impressive performances on a wing. An interesting debutant was Brad Flower whose only senior appearances were as an interchange during the finals. Flower had played brilliantly in the reserves after joining the club in mid season. 

With Macgeorge gone, the responsibility of the captaincy fell on the shoulders of Heath Tregear who led the team brilliantly until suffering an injury against Carlton, which effectively curtailed his season. Although he returned to play his 100th game and lead the team into the finals, his impact was limited when he came back. This all came at a time when other regulars were also falling with injuries and form lapses. 

Vice captain Chad Liddell had a brilliant season earning state selection, making the VFL team of the year on a flank and winning the club best and fairest. Mitch Grant was steady as usual while Adam Coghlan relished the move to a more attacking role. Among the big improvers for the year were defender Damien Lynch and rover Ed Wilson. Cameron Templeton's form through the year was spasmodic while Rick Hayward and Paul Sullivan were missed through injury in the latter half of the year. Tim Scott-Branagan returned to the club as an assistant reserves coach, managing a handful of senior games and winning the Todd Medal for best and fairest in the reserves competition. The reserves also bowed out of the finals early to finish in fifth place. 

Sandringham was well served by its Melbourne contingent. Simon Godfrey and Scott Thompson impressed early but were lost to the team by the middle of the year. Godfrey became a near regular for the Demons while the promising Thompson succumbed to a knee injury. Michael Clark, Steven Febey, Ross Funcke, Anthony McDonald and Luke Williams were among the regulars or semi regulars in the Zebra jumper along with Liston Medallist David Robbins who came from Springvale via the Demon rookie list. Unfortunately, Robbins (who also made the state side) was a little inconsistent and from time to time was hampered by injury. At the end of the season Melbourne delisted him. 

Sandringham also served as a nursery for young Demon players and several made VFL debuts during 2002. Daniel Breese, Brad Miller and Luke Molan were regulars in the early stages of the season. Miller eventually broke through for four AFL games, Molan suffered a broken ankle early while Breese was the only player to play in every senior Zebra team this season. He showed promise with solid form and good improvement over the year. Steven Armstrong spent about half of the season with the Zebras and was exceptional at times. Another group, mainly rookies, cut their teeth with the reserves but all managed to play senior football at some stage. Of these Mark Jamar and Aaron Rogers made significant strides once they earned their senior places. Jamar stood out with some strong ruckwork and was recently placed on the Melbourne senior list on a permanent basis. Rogers began kicking goals at full forward late in the year - his haul of five goals in half a game against Port Melbourne in round 22 being a stand out. Ryan Ayres, Tom Marshall and Nick Walsh all were given limited senior opportunities. 

Graeme Yeats' main problems as coach stemmed from the some early losses by close margins. Then, from midway through the season, his team was hit by injuries to both lists and this put enormous pressure on the club's depth of players. The fighting comeback victory against Box Hill in the semi final was therefore a memorable achievement for the coach and a his team filled with many youngsters who had started and played most of the season in the reserves. The way in which the Zebras persisted against the odds that day points towards a promising future for the club. 

But that future will not be easy. As from next year, three VFL club amalgamations will mean a reduction team numbers and will make for tougher competition and even higher standards. As a result, the Zebras will face greater challenges and will need to recruit harder for more team depth. They will also be helped by Melbourne's expressed desire to play a full senior list of 38 this time around. 

The partnership between Sandringham and Melbourne has proved to be of great benefit to both clubs. In the coming weeks, the Demons will start their campaign for 2003 with pre season training at its summer base - the Trevor Barker Oval in Beach Road, Sandringham. The ground will also be the venue for the club's end of season family event - the picnic by the bay on 14 December. The union between the clubs will continue not only to be of great value to the AFL aspirations of the Demons but will also play an important role as a focus for senior football in the bayside areas and beyond. 

2002 Results: 

Round 1: Sandringham 20.11.131 defeated Frankston 12.11.83 
Round 2: Sandringham 13.10.88 defeated Coburg Tigers 10.11.71 
Round 3: Sandringham 14.13.97 defeated North Ballarat 9.10.64 
Round 4: Werribee 11.17.83 defeated Sandringham 11.14.80 
Round 5: Sandringham 18.24.122 defeated Port Melbourne 13.10.88 
Round 6: Springvale 11.15.81 defeated Sandringham 12.8.80 
Round 7: Sandringham 20.22.142 defeated Bendigo Diggers 5.8.38 
Round 8: Murray Kangaroos 18.6.114 defeated Sandringham 14.8.102 
Round 9: Geelong 16.12.108 defeated Sandringham 9.9.63 
Round 10: Sandringham 13.14.92 defeated Williamstown 12.13.85 
Round 11: Sandringham 15.14.104 defeated Tasmania 14.9.93 
Round 12: Sandringham 23.13.151 defeated Essendon 14.12.96 
Round 13: Sandringham 13.11.89 defeated Northern Bullants 9.14.68 
Round 14: Carlton 10.13.73 defeated Sandringham 8.7.55 
Round 15: Box Hill Hawks 14.13.97 defeated Sandringham 12.9.81 
Round 16: Frankston 18.6.114 defeated Sandringham 9.12.66 
Round 17: Coburg Tigers 21.13.139 defeated Sandringham 6.7.43 
Round 18: Sandringham 10.10.70 defeated North Ballarat 10.6.66 
Round 19: Werribee 12.8.80 defeated Sandringham 10.12.72 
Round 20: Port Melbourne 18.0.128 defeated Sandringham 14.8.92 

Elimination Final: Sandringham 8.15.63 defeated Box Hill Hawks 9.7.61 
First Semi Final: Geelong 18.15.123 defeated Sandringham 4.9.33 

SANDRINGHAM SENIOR PLAYER LIST 2002