A lightning third quarter by Sandringham proved to be the catalyst in the Zebras overrunning Werribee, overcaming a half-time deficit to create a lead of 19 points at the final change.
With Geelong’s VFL side going down earlier in the day to Collingwood, the Zebras knew a win would book a finals appearance in two weeks and they did so with gusto.
Trent Dennis-Lane was the main instigator up forward for Sandringham, booting four goals, while Darren Minchington was prolific as the linchpin for the Zebras in their forward presses.
In what proved to be a fantastic game of attacking football, both teams looked to get on the offensive in their pursuit of securing a finals birth with the ball regularly transitioning from end to end.
Despite going two goals down early in the first quarter, Sandringham looked to be in control for the large majority of the game. Ultimately, the Zebras were able to get the crucial break on Werribee during the third quarter and the early parts of the fourth quarter – turning a nine-point deficit at half time into a 39-point lead early in to the final quarter.
Pleasingly, Lewis Pierce and Jason Holmes combined formidably in the ruck, with the US recruit booting his first VFL goal for the season after taking a strong mark.
The only concern to come out of the game for the Zebras was an apparent calf injury to Jarryn Geary during the first half. Geary will be assessed during the week after sitting out the remainder of the match with his calf iced.
Sandringham will finish the home and away season by hosting Williamstown on Saturday 23 August at Trevor Barker Beach Oval before a cut-throat elimination final in week one of the VFL finals.
Werribee 2.1 7.3 8.6 12.9 81
Sandringham 3.3 5.6 11.7 15.11 101
Goals: T. Dennis-Lane 4, M. Kreymborg 3, L. Pierce 2, D. Minchington 2, B. Murdoch , J. Holmes , T. Simpkin , S. White
Best: Minchington, Dennis-Lane, Murdoch, Pierce, Simpkin
