After the best win of their season last weekend, Sandringham has been brought back to earth with a thump, losing to Footscray by 49 points on Sunday.

In overcast and windy conditions, the Zebras kicked the first goal of the match before the Dogs kicked successive goals to set up a six-goal opening term.

Sandringham produced their best quarter of the day in the second term, kicking six majors to outscore Footscray by three goals to give themselves every chance to win the game after half-time.

Despite only being eight points behind at the main break, the Zebras couldn’t match the rampaging Dogs in the second half and were held goal less in the third term.

St Kilda forward Josh Battle kicked the first goal of the second half for the home side with a strong mark inside 50 and a clever snap from the boundary, but the Bulldogs were a class above and produced a six-goal final term to run out convincing winners.

Standout Zebras

On a tough afternoon for Sandringham that was marred with inefficiency by hand and foot, St Kilda pair Luke Dunstan and Bailey Rice were two notables that impressed.

The battle hardened Dunstan again put his hand up for an AFL recall with 38 disposals, seven tackles and two goals to be the Zebras’ best.

Defender Rice picked up 28 disposals and six marks in a spirited display and will be looking for an AFL debut in the coming weeks with strong performances like he put in on Sunday.

Brandon White was another to feature well, picking up 25 disposals, nine marks and a goal to provide run and drive from half-back working well with Rice.

The next challenge

Sandringham make the tough trip to North Port Oval next Saturday to tackle an in-form Port Melbourne outfit in what VFL coach Lindsay Gilbee described as the “biggest test in VFL footy”.

The Borough sit on top of the VFL ladder following two consecutive wins and promises to be a very aggressive and physical contest.