Zak Jones and Brad Crouch have helped propel Sandringham to a dominant 42-point win over North Melbourne in the club's second practice match of the season.
Crouch, who played out the entire game through the midfield, was a standout at Arden Street Oval and was joined inside with an explosive four-quarter performance from Dean Kent.
After being jumped by the young Roos early, the Zebras powered past the weary Kangaroos in the second half to bank the 9.10 (64) to 16.10 (106) result.
Sandringham's experienced bodies, particularly those of Jones, Crouch and Luke Dunstan, outmuscled those of the young Roos as the scoreboard started ticking over after the main break.
Jones (three quarters) and Dunstan (one half) were particularly prominent through their limited game-time, while Crouch played from siren-to-siren as he approaches his St Kilda debut.
After being touch-and-go for Round 1 in light of a hamstring injury sustained in the pre-season, Jones will be in line for a Round 2 recall in time for Spud's Game.
Despite being boosted by several of the Saints' best 22, Zebras coach Jake Batchelor was pleased with his side's ability to turn the tide after being caught on the back-foot in the opening half.
"There were some really pleasing signs for our second game together, it was fairly connected which I wasn't expecting to see so early in the piece," Batchelor told saints.com.au.
"North had a good first 10 minutes and got on top of us early through their running in waves. That challenged our defence a fair bit, and they stood up, but we were winning the ball way too far back.
"In the second half we reacted really well and adjusted, we took a little bit of sting out of the game and stopped ball-chasing."
AFL-listed trio Jake Carlisle, Darragh Joyce and Oscar Clavarino were key in repelling North's forays forward, while Sam Alabakis manned the No. 1 ruck role against Roos duo Tom Campbell and Tristan Xerri.
Leo Connolly added to the backline armada with his clean use off half-back, while Matthew Allison served as a focal point of the attacking 50.
The Saints' first-round draft pick found himself in good positions throughout the game, with time spent on burlier opponents set to accelerate his development, according to Batchelor.
Sandringham ended up kicking 16 goals for the game, chiefly off the back of its improved output in the clinches.
"We ramped up our contest work because we thought they threw us around a little bit in the first half, but once we won that we knew that we had the speed and skills and power up forward to kick a good score," Batchelor said.
"Our attack and our ability to use our numbers and know when to go quick or take a little bit of time out of it was a real positive, and that probably stood out a bit more in the second half."
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.2 6.5 7.6 9.10 (64)
SANDRINGHAM 4.1 8.2 11.4 16.10 (106)
GOALS
Kent 2, Carey 2, Bufalo 2, Crouch, Ross, Lok, Dalmau, Bailey, Lewis, Zagari, Smith, Bayne, Dunell
