Sandringham clicked into gear on Sunday, working past Coburg by 11-points at Piranha Park, in a game where St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin starred.
A four-goal haul from McCartin, along with three apiece from fellow tall Rowan Marshall and draftee Ben Long were all significant in a last quarter that was the Zebras’ best of the season to date.
The home side made Lindsay Gilbee’s team earn the four points, leading at every change due to their pressure and ability to be efficient up front that included the first goal in each of the opening three quarters.
Each time the Zebras drew close, the Lions would have an answer and looked in a commanding position to run away with it at three-quarter time.
Spurring on his team to lift and make every contest a winning one, Gilbee couldn’t have been prouder of his charges by the final siren.
Sandringham produced a brilliant last quarter, booting six goals to Coburg’s two, before a late goal from the Lions it was a Zebras’ bonanza with five consecutive majors.
With the Northern Blues at Preston City Oval to come next weekend, Sandringham is in a healthy position with a 4-1 win-loss record to date.
Injury watch
Midfielder Nathan Freeman suffered what appeared to be concussion in the first half and didn’t return after the main break.
First-year player Ed Phillips was another to go down in a heavy tackle mid-way through the final quarter, and was stretchered off.
Who stood out?
St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin continued his strong VFL form, kicking four majors from nine shots on goal, to go with 13 marks.
It’s been an impressive patch of form for McCartin, who now has 18 goals from five VFL games for the Zebras.
Rookie Rowan Marshall is proving a good foil for McCartin and finished with three majors while first-year player Ben Long also chimed in with three goals.
Shane Savage and Dan McKenzie have also put up their hands for an AFL recall in the wake of Jimmy Webster’s injury at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, picking up 33 and 26 disposals respectively.
Second-year Saint Bailey Rice also impressed in the back half against the Lions, finishing with 19 disposals and five tackles.
