Another strong set of performances from Luke Dunstan and Mason Wood has helped steer Sandringham to a nail-biting nine-point victory over Aspley at Queensland's Graham Road Oval.
In a game packed full of momentum swings, the travelling side clawed its way in front thanks to a vital goal from Wood in the 29th minute of the last term – the 14th lead change of the afternoon – to deliver the Zebras consecutive wins.
After overcoming a poor start to the second half, Sandringham stabilised in time for Wood and Cody Henness to ice the high-pressure game and confirm the 12.10 (82) to 14.9 (93) result.
Dunstan dominated the midfield with a team-high 29 disposals and three goals to boot, while Wood proved influential on the wing and at half-forward with 26 touches and two majors.
It's the third straight game the pair have combined for multiple majors, with influential outings against Williamstown (four goals) and Box Hill (four goals) adding to their solid run of form.
Both capitalised off their side's control in the ruck contests (54-31) thanks to an impressive body of work from Paul Hunter.
The mature-age ruckman – flanked by Sam Alabakis (12 hit-outs) – was a force to be reckoned with on the day, collecting 20 disposals and a game-high 42 hit-outs to give Sandringham's midfield first use.
Grit and determination paid off in the backline for the Zebras, with the Coffield brothers working together seamlessly to combat the scoring wave of Aspley forwards Connor Stackelberg (four goals) and Matthew Hammelmann (two).
Nick Coffield (16 disposals, six marks) and Zebras captain Daniel Coffield (15 disposals) dictated the play in defence, consistently winning the ball to help the visitors scrape over the line.
Oscar Clavarino (15 disposals) and Matthew Allison (14) added to the defensive pressure on the Hornets forward line, performing strongly in the air with six marks apiece.
The Zebras laid it all on the line in their last-gasp win, with a courageous Darragh Joyce (14 disposals, one) booting a goal after rough contest in the third quarter to hand his side a crucial buffer as the game heated up.
Vice-captain Goy Lok packed an impact in his side’s emphatic win, collecting 17 disposals and three goals by the final siren.
Sandringham will aim to sustain its winning streak next Saturday when it lines up against Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval.
ASPLEY 2.2 4.5 8.8 12.10 (82)
SANDRINGHAM 3.1 5.3 8.4 14.9 (93)
GOALS
Aspley: Stackelberg 4, Hammelmann 2, Freeman, Gowers, Ives, Payne, Rolls, Warren
Sandringham: Dunstan 3, Lok 3, Wood 2, Carrey, Henness, Joyce, McHale, Riordan, Ross
BEST
Aspley: Bastinac, Payne, Ives, Stackelberg, Eagles, Gowers
Sandringham: Dunstan, Wood, Hunter, Lok, N. Coffield, Henness