Darren MINCHINGTON

2017 Digest:   Jury is out on whether he can he make the transition from very good VFL play to a regular senior component. Goal sense is asset.

2017 NAB Cup:  

2017 Season

1		–
2		–
3		–
4	VFL	The gamebreaker with four goals to go with 32 quality possessions. At his best, he looks a class above the VFL.	–
5	Geel	Loves playing the Cats and kicked three goals from 16 disposals in what was his first game of the year.	7
6	Haw	In and out without having an impact. 13 possessions, but no goals.	4
7	GWS	Jagged early sausage roll but that was only scoreboard contribution for the night. Handy with what he from 17 disposals.	6
8	Carl	Down on form after recent performances. Didn’t pose a threat in the front half.	3
9		Senior emergency.
10	WB	Didn’t fire a shot. Yo-yo-ing back to VFL?	2
11	VFL	One of the few consistent winners on the day. 22 possessions, seven inside 50s and four score assists.	–
12	VFL	One of the Zebras best. 27 touches, six clearances, seven inside 50s and three goals.	–
13		Bye.
14	VFL	Had 20 touches and seven inside 50s, but Lions kept him off the scoreboard.	–
15		Ankle.
16		Ankle.
17		Ankle.
18		Ankle.
19		Ankle.
20		Ankle.
21		Ankle.
22		Ankle.
23		Ankle.

2016 Season

1		Played in VFL trial against Box Hill Hawks.
2		Played in VFL trial against Williamstown.
3	Coll	Inclusion got on the end of some nice work. Four inside-50s, three tackles and 10 contested possessions.	5
4	Haw	Kicked two goals and showed some quality when he got the ball. One to persist with.	5
5	GWS	Could not get a foothold in the game.	2
6	Melb	Kept running hard in attack but not a major player.	3
7	NM	Tried hard but doesn’t always look like he is on top of tempo at this level.	3
8	VFL	Quiet day in blustery conditions at Trevor Barker Oval.	–
9	VFL	Influential performer in midfield. 24 touches and got forward for 2.3.	–
10	VFL	Bye.	–
11	VFL	Sandy’s best ball winner with 26 disposals and kept legs pumping late.	–
12	Carl	Often looked comfortable at this level. Trying hard to stake permanent claim.	5
14	Geel	Three goals in top level contest could be his career turning point.	6
15	GCS	Started OK but then had diminishing impact.	4
16	Ess	Not a big game, but worked very hard in the final term.	4
17	Melb	Had lengthy time on bench and didn’t have a big say.	2
18		Senior emergency.
19	NM	Tackled and pressured hard in forward 50 which was his role.	4
20	Carl	Tackled hard in forward half but didn’t win a heap of the ball himself.	3
21	Syd	Tried hard and pressured in attack but had minimal effect.	3
22	VFL	One of the Zebras best in midfield and across half forward. Tried hard.	–
23		Didn’t play for Sandringham.

2015 Season

1		–
2		–
3	VFL	Game-breaker with 19 touches and a goal.	–
4		Senior emergency.
5	VFL	Among the Zebras best in midfield. Used ball well.	–
6	VFL	Nipped in and out but didn’t have usual influence.	–
7	VFL	20 possessions, 13 tackles and two goals. Huge outing.	–
8	VFL	Quiet game in midfield and at half forward.	–
9	VFL	Worked into the game well after half time. 19 touches.	–
10	VFL	Back to near his damaging best form in midfield.	–
11	Melb	Tackled hard and threw himself into packs. Nice goal and earned spot.	5
13	WB	Nice goal and did a couple of handy things before being subbed at last change.	3
14		Senior emergency.
15	VFL	Zipped about but didn’t have a big day.	–
16	VFL	Influential around the stoppages in Zebras’ thriller.	–
17	VFL	Came into the game strongly in the final quarter.	–
18	VFL	Bye.	–
19	VFL	27 possessions and 13 tackles to halt Port in their tracks.	–
20	NM	Lively first half in attack then disappeared.	3
21	Geel	Brilliant start with two quick goals.	5
22	Syd	Restricted by Shaw and didn’t get much of it.	2
23		Late withdrawal.

2014 Season

1	PM	Ran through midfield and contested hard all day.	–
2	PM	Competitive running through midfield.	–
3	VFL	Tackled hard and had a bit of the ball.	–
4	VFL	Best for the Zebras in development league.	–
5	VFL	Didn’t win a lot of ball, but chased and tackled hard all day.	–
6	VFL	Solid contributor rotating through midfield.	–
7	VFL	Played a solid role in Zebras win with 16 touches.	–
8	VFL	Early goal but struggled.	–
9	VFL	Just the seven touches and was in and out.	–
10	VFL	Bye.	–
11	VFL	Bye.	–
12	VFL	Buzzed about with 16 touches.	–
13	VFL	Had 19 possessions to be one of the Zebras leading lights.	–
14	WCE	Had a few touches that were OK but not a big impact.	4
15	Rich	Sub came on in third quarter and instantly kicked excellent running goal.	3
16	Carl	Showed some good bursts in second quarter.	4
17	VFL	Wasteful in front of goal with 1.5 to blot a strong performance.	–
18	VFL	15 possessions running through midfield. Fair.	–
19	VFL	Another to chime in with three goals. Used ball well.	–
20	VFL	Did some good things but wasn’t a big influence.	–
21	VFL	Starred with two classy goals and 30 touches.	–
22	VFL	Combined well with Holmes in middle. 24 touches and a goal.	–
23	VFL	20 possessions and a goal from midfield. Used ball very well.	–
QF	VFL	Continued good late season form with 18 touches, two goals.	–
SF		–
PF		–
GF		–

2013 Season

1		Hamstring.
2		Hamstring.
3	VFL	OK in patches but not overly influential.	–
4	VFL	Smart effort with two goals from 19 possessions.	–
5	VFL	Worked hard defensively up forward. Rewarded with two goals.	–
6		Hamstring.
7		Hamstring.
8		Hamstring.
9		Hamstring.
10		Hamstring.
11		Hamstring.
12		Hamstring.
13		Hamstring.
14	VFL	Kicked a goal on return from injury in Sandy reserves.	–
15	VFL	Bye.	–
16	VFL	Worked hard and won plenty of tough footy on return.	–
17	VFL	Continues to develop as a small forward. 16 touches, two goals.	–
18	VFL	Not as impressive as he has been but the Zebras were well beaten.	–
19	VFL	Chipped in with two goals in a heavy Zebras defeat.	–
20	Haw	First gamer kicked a goal and will learn from outing.	3
21	Syd	Clever goal but not a big game.	3
22	VFL	Classy effort with three goals and some nice touches.	–
23		–
QF
SF
PF
GF

2012 Season

1	VFL	Just the one goal after a few strong weeks.	–
2	VFL	Zipped around and used the ball well up the ground.	–
5	VFL	Quiet game overall.	–
7	VFL	Better outing. Used the ball well and set up a few goals.	–
8	VFL	Zipped in and out but was mostly kept under wraps.	–
11	VFL	Best game at this level. Lively throughout.	–
12	VFL	Down on last week’s effort.	–
14	VFL	Good showing. Lively throughout and broke the lines.	–