Port Melbourne has snapped Sandringham’s six-game winning streak, after the Borough eclipsed the Zebras by 21-points at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday afternoon.

On a sunny but blustery day at Beach Rd, the Zebras were slow out of the blocks early due to a determined Borough outfit that piled on nine goals to Sandringham’s two in a first quarter blitz.

Port Melbourne’s class and composure to take advantage of the wind was telling, with the Zebras not kicking their first major until the 18-minute mark, after Port’s fifth goal of the first term.

The 46-point quarter time deficit was a bitter pill to swallow for the home side, who were given some stern instruction to improve from the coach at the first break.

Despite booting seven goals to two across the remaining three quarters in a vastly improved effort, it wasn’t enough for the Zebras to reel in the enormous quarter-time margin.

Although the final 22-point margin at the final siren could have been worse, such was Port Melbourne’s dominance. They had 17 more inside 50s than the Zebras, yet to the home side’s credit they got themselves within striking distance and hold onto fourth spot on percentage over the Borough.

In a disappointing day for the Zebras, St Kilda goal sneak Jack Lonie (2 goals, 6 tackles, 23 disposals) provided the spark in attack and defensive pressure required to create scoring opportunities.

Kade Answerth (24 disposals, 9 tackles, 1 goal) continues to impress, while Tom Simpkin (12 disposals, 7 tackles) and Eli Templeton (33 disposals) willed themselves until the final siren.

Key defender Tom Lee (21 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal) was switched forward in the second half and showed his ability at both ends of the ground, helping bring back that quarter time deficit in half.

Sandringham Coach Paul Hudson said there’s plenty to learn from a loss like this and stressed the need to rectify that in the coming weeks.

“In a nutshell Port Melbourne came to play and were clearly switched on, they took advantage of the wind in the first quarter and unfortunately we weren’t able to peg that back enough to get the win,” Hudson told saints.com.au.

“Our second half was better than our first, which proves when we get things right we’re a very good side.

“We’re not getting the starts we want in difficult conditions like today, which has been something we’ve struggled with but its also an area we have to get better at because the strong opposition sides make you pay.”

Sandringham has a tough few weeks ahead, the next clash against the top of the table Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields next Sunday.

SCOREBOARD

SANDRINGHAM 2.0 5.2 5.3 9.6 (60)
PORT MELBOURNE 9.4 10.6 11.12 11.15 (81)

GOALS: Lonie 2, Answerth, Cook, Le Grice, Lee, Fisscher, Haidon, Coughlan

BEST: Lee, White, Simpkin, Answerth, Lonie, Murdoch, Templeton

At Trevor Barker Beach Oval.