SANDRINGHAM has defeated Casey Scorpions by 51 points at a wet and windy Trevor Barker Beach Oval, winning 12.17.89 to 5.8.38.

The victory means the Zebras have secured second place and have earned the right to play at home in the qualifying final next week.

Lewis Pierce (23 disposals, 5 marks) was dominant in the ruck, making it easy for Josh Saunders (24 disposals) and Arryn Siposs (24 disposals, 1 goal) to deliver to Ahmed Saad (4 goals).

Zebras midfielders Clinton Jones (40 disposals, 1 goal), Dylan Weickhardt (24 disposals) and Myke Cook (22 disposals) also benefitted for Pierce’s grunt work along with Trent Dennis-Lane (3 goals), who provided Saad with great support up forward.

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The Zebras started slowly and were held goalless kicking into the breeze in the first quarter, with the Scorpions kicking three goals to take advantage of the wind.

With the breeze in the second quarter the Zebras were quick to turn the margin around, despite their inaccuracy, they kicked the first five goals and took a 13-point lead into half time.

Saad was dangerous throughout the quarter and was rewarded with two goals. Clinton Jones, Cameron Shenton and Trent Dennis-Lane also got on the scoreboard.

The Zebras increased their lead to 23 points by the end of the third quarter, as Casey experienced their own inaccuracy issues.

Dennis-Lane, Saad and Luke Delaney, who was playing as the sole tall forward, were the goal scorers as the Zebras won the quarter 3.4.22 to the Scorpions 1.6.12.

The fourth term belonged almost exclusively to Sandringham, Paul Hudson’s men piling on the goals to justify their ladder position and finals credentials.

Dennis Lane and Saad got their third and fourth goals respectively, while Yilber Zijai and Siposs also added goals late in the final quarter.

St Kilda Development Coach and Sandringham Coach Paul Hudson was happy that the side has now achieved their goal of finishing in the top four from the start of the year.

 “We got ourselves into a situation in the last few week to get to the into second spot and we managed to do that so it’s fantastic,” Hudson to SAINTS.com.au

“We could have been playing at Box Hill or Williamstown.”

Hudson also praised the dominance of Lewis Pierce in the ruck duel with Melbourne-listed big man Mark Jamar.

“Lewis was a real standout today and he had 16 handballs and it was his best game by far. He has grown and matured in the last few weeks and is a massive bonus going into finals for us.”

“Saunders had great defensive efforts and offensively got a bit of the ball, while Siposs gave us drive from the middle.

“Delaney also played his role as the sole tall forward and Shenton was solid across half back.”

Sandringham will host either Williamstown or Footscray in the qualifying final next week, depending on Sunday’s results.

SANDRINGHAM 0.2 5.9 8.13 12.17 (89)

CASEY 3.2 4.2 5.8 5.8 (38)

GOALS: Saad 4, Dennis-Lane 3, Jones, Siposs, Shenton, Delaney, Zijai

BEST: Saad, Pierce, Jones, Cook, Siposs, Weickhardt