St Kilda midfielders Ed Phillips and Luke Dunstan were standouts on Saturday afternoon in Sandringham’s 34-point loss to the Northern Blues in difficult conditions at Preston City Oval.
Finishing with a team-high 34 disposals and 10 marks, the 20-year-old Phillips was among the best in wintery conditions, working well inside the contest with fellow Saints’ teammate Luke Dunstan (33 disposals, eight tackles).
In the absence of injured rucks Tom Hickey and Billy Longer, Sandringham youngster Hayden McLean had to shoulder the ruck duties while the absences of Darren Minchington and Sam Gilbert hurt the Zebras against several Carlton-listed players in the opposition line-up.
Aaron Hamill’s team struggled to get going at Cramer St, only managing two goals in the first half, but improved in the second half despite being outscored by the Blues’ eight majors.
The experience of Mav Weller (21 disposals, six tackles) was pivotal at stages, while the run from youngsters Hunter Clark (20 disposals, three marks, three tackles) and Nick Coffield (19 disposals, five marks, two tackles) again showed a bright future ahead.
With one game to go before the VFL season concludes under Hamill’s first season in charge at Sandringham, the Zebras will be searching for
The Zebras will make their way to Victoria Park in the final round to tackle an in-form Collingwood at
Northern Blues 3.3 5.7 9.8 13.8 (86)
Sandringham 1.2 2.4 5.6 7.10 (52)
Goals: Owens, Weller, Noone, Seccull, Connellan, Haidon, McLean
Best
