A gallant Sandringham outfit has secured its maiden win of 2021, holding on against a dogged Williamstown at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval by just nine points. 

The Zebras held sway at every quarter in the blustery conditions, with St Kilda co-captain Jarryn Geary (18 disposals) providing crucial on-field leadership and direction in his return game from a frustrating injury spell.

Geary and omitted Saint Nick Coffield proved pivotal down back as Williamstown mounted its final charge, with a desperate smother from the latter in the dying minutes preventing a certain opposition goal to bank the 13.9 (87) to 11.12 (78) result.

Midfielder Luke Dunstan again drove the Zebras’ midfield with 36 disposals and 10 marks, leaving a sure-footed Mason Wood (29 touches) to pack an impact coming off the wing/half-forward.

The pair bagged four goals in the opening half to propel their side to a 23-point lead at the major break, while Shaun McKernan slotted three of his own – despite copping a shoulder knock – from eight touches.

Williamstown threatened to regain control as they continued to chip away at the goalface (15 scoring shots after half-time), but the Zebras’ gritty defence banded together to limit their opposition’s surge to just four goals.

Darragh Joyce (20 disposals), Leo Connolly (19) and Ben Long (14) stood tall as the backline came under siege from Seagulls forwards Nicholas Ebinger (four goals) and Corey Rich (two), while Oscar Clavarino took some important intercept marks when swinging across the backline.

Paul Hunter was equally important in the ruck for the Zebras, accruing 16 disposals, a game-high six tackles and 31 hit-outs to give Sandringham the upper hand around the ground (44-22 hit-outs) alongside Sam Alabakis.

Sandringham listed players Goy Lok (21 disposals, one goal) and Finlay Bayne (20 disposals) also played important roles in obtaining the four points.

Geary will look to further his case for senior return after a promising first hit-out, while Luke Dunstan, Mason Wood and Shaun McKernan will also hope to enter the selection conversation after injuries to Zak Jones (quad) and Rowan Marshall (plantar fascia).

The Zebras will look to back up their win next Saturday when they travel to Queensland to face Aspley at Graham Road Oval.

SANDRINGHAM          4.2       10.6     12.7     13.9     (87)
WILLIAMSTOWN        4.1       7.1       10.6     11.12   (78)

GOALS
Sandringham: McKernan 3, Carey 2, Dunstan 2, Wood 2, Coffield, Hunter, Lok, McHale
Williamstown: Ebinger 4, Rich 2, Gown, Henderson, Hunt, Marcon, Meadows

BEST
Sandringham: Dunstan, Wood, Geary, Lok, Joyce, Hunter
Williamstown: Hibberd, Ebinger, Meadows, Rich, Greiser, Toner