After missing out on St Kilda’s round one team that defeated Melbourne by 17 points on Saturday night, Dennis-Lane was even more motivated to play well in the VFL earlier in the day.
And he didn’t disappoint. As Sandringham romped to a comprehensive 66-point win, the 25-year-old booted four majors and was one of the best players on the ground.
It was a performance which he hopes will springboard him into consideration ahead of this weekend’s round two clash against GWS.
“It was good to hit the scoreboard again and find a bit of form and get some reward,” he told SAINTS.com.au on Monday.
“When there are 10 guys fighting for spots in the forward line and they are playing well, you have to do everything you can to throw your name up in front of the coaches.”
“I hope I can continue to build on my good form until they can’t not pick me anymore.”
Dennis-Lane booted nine goals in as many matches in his first year at St Kilda in 2013 and finished the season as the Zebras’ leading goal-kicker.
And while his role remains similar this season, the crafty forward is hoping to venture further afield from time to time as well.
“Primarily I see my main position as a forward flanker but if I keep practicing that wing role then it adds another string to my bow which obviously you need at AFL level,” he said.
“Richo has been good and he’s been really honest. I had a really good pre-season training-wise. I didn’t quite capitalise on that in the first NAB Challenge game and then found myself out of the side. Richo let me know what I needed to work on so I’ve gone away and slowly chipped away at that.”
As for Simon McPhee’s Sandy Zebras, Dennis-Lane was pleased with the way his teammates responded after a disappointing display against Frankston the week before.
“The Sandy side is a pretty young side and obviously you are going to get some inconsistencies,” he said.
“All the guys really got involved and turned up the pressure down there. Our effort and intensity was a lot better than what it was last week against Frankston in the practice match.”
You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32
