A DOMINANT second quarter has propelled Sandringham to a 35-point win over North Ballarat, with Maverick Weller a standout in the midfield and Trent Dennis-Lane excelling up forward.

The Zebras booted eight goals to one after trailing by four points at the first break. Sandringham's clearance work was the catalyst - the Zebras plus 11 for takeaways for the term.

Although North Ballarat fought back after half-time, ultimately the damage was done and Sandringham's seven-goal last quarter put the result beyond doubt.

Weller, a St Kilda rookie who played 32 games for the Gold Coast from 2011-2013, amassed 39 disposals, laid 10 tackles, registered eight clearances and booted three goals in a best on ground display that reaffirmed his case for a list elevation.

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He was well supported by fellow Saints Shane Savage (26 disposals) and Zebras ball-winner Adam Cockie (25 touches) in the midfield, while Dennis-Lane threatened throughout the contest, booting four goals.

Sam Fisher returned to football after a 10-month layoff and held fort in the backline alongside Dylan Roberton and Cameron Shenton, who both acquitted themselves well offensively as well as defensively in the win.

But it was Weller's day. And while he nudged the magical 40-possession barrier, he was far from a free-wheeling ball-winner with attack his only method. Rather, the 22-year-old was given the task of limiting Liam Anthony's influence and did so exceptionally well, holding the usually prolific midfielder to just four touches in the first half when the game was in the balance.
Sandringham assistant Paul Hudson was pleased with the win, but maintained the Zebras' still have plenty of areas to work on, especially in their transition play from defence to attack.

"We probably should have won by more," Hudson told SAINTS.com.au.

"We let them back into the game when they were kicking with the wind in the third term, but in the end we had 60 inside 50s to their 42, so our forward-line had enough opportunities to kick a winning score and we did that.

"Our ball use let us down at times which was frustrating, but I can't question the defensive work of our guys. The tackling, the smothering and all the hard stuff that perhaps doesn't get noticed - that's what set up the win.

"Tommy Lee competed well but didn't hit the scoreboard, so Dennis-Lane stepped in and kicked four, and Sammy Dunell also had four scoring shots. So blokes are stepping up and it's good to see."

Sandringham: 2.3  10.6  11.9  18.9 (117)
North Ballarat: 3.1  4.2  8.8  12.10 (82)

Goals:
T. Dennis-Lane 4, M. Weller 3, S. Dunell 2, T. Milera 2, A. Siposs 2, Y. Zijai 2, D. Markworth 2, B. Longer.

Best:
M. Weller, C. Shenton, T.Dennis-Lane, A. Cockie, Y. Zijai, S. Fisher, S.Dunell