There’s a selection headache on the horizon for St Kilda.

Sandringham’s 30-point triumph over the Northern Bullants at a drenched Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval wasn’t the most glamorous of encounters, but was packed full of strong performances in a textbook display of wet-weather football.

Zebras debutant Jarrod Lienert led with a clinical 31 disposals and 10 rebound-50s to refuel his chances of a senior recall, while Tom Highmore (29 disposals, nine marks), Jack Billings (30 disposals, one goal), Mitch Owens (32 disposals, 10 clearances, eight inside-50s) and Tom Campbell (36 hit-outs, 22 disposals, eight clearances) were easily placed in the best-on-ground conversation.

Campbell was vital in Sandringham’s eight-goal opening half, monstering his way on top of stoppages – and easily grabbing the ball out of the ruck – to outmuscle his opponents and gain valuable territory in the patches of heavy rain.

It was to the benefit of midfielders Owens (who lined up for 22 out of 23 centre bounces), Jack Bytel (25 disposals, seven clearances), Mitch Riordan (12 disposals) and the returning Hunter Clark, who built his way into the game to finish with 28 possessions.

Clark spent most of his day across half-back and was effective in his spurts through the middle (six centre bounces), having more of a say on the contest after the main break.

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The Bullants controlled proceedings in the opening 15 minutes and scored in the opening minutes through Tom Wilson, but could do little as Sandringham ran away in the last five minutes to begin its unchallenged run.

Goals to Cooper Sharman (two), Campbell, Oliver Lowe and Jake Lohmann put the home side firmly in the driver’s seat, with another four unanswered majors in the second term doing enough damage to ward off their opposition.

Clean transition from defence into attack was the Zebras’ best weapon in the otherwise scrappy affair, which stood in stark contrast to the Bullants’ many unforced errors while trying to reassert themselves on the contest.

The visitors were never out of it however, and despite regaining composure after half-time to force a dour scrap, couldn’t make the most of their opportunities to seriously challenge.

Sharman’s presentation aerially (seven marks) stood tall all afternoon nand continued to hamper the defence led by Mutaz El Nour, while multiple goals to Dean Kent, Lohmann and Goy Lok solidified the result after a spirited five-goal second half.

Leo Connolly made the most of his 18 touches and had the best highlight of the afternoon with a three-bounce run from half-back and lace-up kick to Sharman, while Jarryn Geary was resolute down back with 19 disposals and nine marks.

Max Heath was rested following Campbell’s return to the line-up, while Darragh Joyce and Ryan Byrnes were held over as emergencies for St Kilda’s match with Melbourne tomorrow afternoon.

SANDRINGHAM  4.1  8.2  10.4  12.8 (80)
NORTHERN BULLANTS  1.2  1.8  4.11  6.14 (50)

GOALS
Sandringham: Lohmann 2, Sharman 2, Lok 2, Lowe, Campbell, Kent, Watson, Billings, Kent
Northern Bullants: Boyd 3, Wilson, Mills, Murphy

 BEST
Sandringham: Lienert, Campbell, Highmore, Owens, Billings, Clark, Bytel, Sharman
Northern Bullants: King, El Nour, Velissaris, Barling, Boyd, Wilson