SANDRINGHAM has charged home after trailing by 38 points late in the third term to win in cold and windy conditions at Trevor Barker Oval, prevailing by 13 points.
The Blues dominated for almost three quarters, before the Zebras kicked into action just before the final break. They booted seven unanswered goals before the eight minute mark of the last quarter, staging a miraculous come-from-behind victory.
The Blues had all the running in the first half, taking a 21-point lead into the main break. St Kilda ruckman Tom Hickey was prominent for the Zebras, kicking two goals in the third term and assisting a number of others.
In his first game back, James Gwilt displayed plenty of dash from half-back and showed no ill effects of a knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines since round one of the AFL season. Farren Ray (26 touches) and Tom Ledger (31) both put their hands up for a senior recall with strong performances, Ledger picking up 19 disposals in the second half.
The forward 50 pressure in the last quarter allowed the Zebras to keep the ball in their forward line. Jay Lever’s first for the day saw Sandringham hit the front for the first time. However it didn’t last long with the Blues responding through Totevski to level the scores once again.
It was goal-for-goal until promising youngster Tom Curren produced some quality roving from a boundary throw-in. Curren kicked truly from 50 metres out to regain the lead for the Zebras, followed by a Jackson Ferguson special from the boundary sealing the match with only one minute remaining. The Sandringham faithful went into delirium with a memorable come-from-behind victory that lifted the Zebras into the top eight on the VFL ladder.
Assistant coach Ryan Webster was ecstatic with the result after the match, but conceded the first half was not to standard.
“Our effort wasn’t up to scratch in the first half and we really just needed the players to lift. It’s a bit of pride and we needed some more effort out of them,” said Webster.
It was those one-percenters that were a catalyst in the comeback with the future of St Kilda on show.
“There were a few instances in the last quarter when it could have gone either way; Blakey’s (Jason Blake) spoil over near the scoreboard and then Tommy Curren’s smother in the forward pocket, they create goals. So it is those small efforts that get us across the line.”
Sandringham has a bye next week with the state game and plays last placed Bendigo Gold on May 18 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
2013 Peter Jackson VFL
Sandringham: 2.1 7.4 13.6 20.10 (130)?
Northern Blues: 4.4 10.7 15.8 18.9 (117)?
GOALS:
Sandringham: Cook 3 Hickey 2 Marigliani 2 Curren 2 Michaliades 2 Ray 2 Dennis-Lane 2 Ferguson Shepheard Dowler Shenton Lever
Northern Blues: Casboult 4 Mitchell 3 Buckley 2 Totevski 2 Bell Thomas Wilson Lambert Taglieri Rowe Menzel
BEST:
Sandringham: Michaliades Shepheard Curren Dunell Cockie Ray
Northern Blues: Bell Lambert Collins Casboult Messe Joseph
