A hard-nosed, blue-collar type, Daniel Ward doesn't fit the Sandringham stereotype.
"I'm in Cheltenham on the poor side of the Nepean Highway," the new Zebras VFL coach told Zero Hanger with a grin.
The former AFL Demon seems the perfect no-frills fit as Sandringham forges ahead as a standalone club for the first time since 1999 after breaking up with long-time affiliate St Kilda.
"We're hoping to get a lot of Sandringham people back that maybe we lost throughout the alignment," Ward said.
Ward, stepping up to the VFL after a successful nine-year stint at Old Haileybury, played in a Sandringham flag in 2005 as a Melbourne player during the Demons' alignment.
"I've seen how Sandringham can be and how successful they can be when the community gets behind them and I want to bring that back to the footy club," Ward said.
That community spirit is sure to be on show on Sunday when the new Zebras era begins with a home clash against traditional club Port Melbourne.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Trevor Barker Oval packed," Ward said.
"I am full of admiration for the place ... there were challenges with certain things in the (St Kilda) alignment.
"It's just given everyone clear air and the ability for loyal kids to come through the Sandringham Dragons and other programs to play regular VFL footy.
"A lot of players want to go to the next level."
Former Demon Kynan Brown and Noah Yze, son of former Demon and current Richmond coach Adem, will front up for the Zebras this year.
But overall, it's no-frills kind of list and Ward wouldn't have it any other way. His mantra is simple - the Zebras will have an old-fashioned crack.
"We'll play for each other week in, week out ... that's what we're about as a group," Ward said.
"We haven't put a ceiling or a cap on what we can achieve."
