SANDRINGHAM has defeated Port Melbourne by 33 points, again proving they will be a force in the race for the VFL premiership.

St Kilda forward Tim Membrey (11 disposals, 4 goals) pressed his claims for an AFL recall, along with winger Farren Ray (30 disposals, 9 marks).

An AFL debut for Daniel Markworth (20 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals) may not be too far away either, since overcoming his injury battles he has sustained strong VFL form.

Cam Shenton (29 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals) and Eli Templeton (24 disposals, 2 goals) provided great physicality in the contest and outside run, while the inside work of Darren Minchington (28 disposals, 13 tackles, 6 marks, 1 goal) proved pivotal in the end result.

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Sandringham is now third on the VFL ladder, separated only by percentage from Williamstown and one game adrift of league leaders Box Hill.

Windy conditions and poor skills marred the Zebras' play in the opening quarter, with Port Melbourne kicking away to a 25-point lead at quarter time.

Following a plea to work for each other at the first break from Paul Hudson, the Zebras swung the momentum back in their favour with a seven goal to one second term.

The home side found ways to create space for each other, which included classy finishes from a running Markworth and a Cam Shenton goal at the 20-minute-mark to give the Zebras the lead for the first time.

Eli Templeton hit Yllber Zijai lace out and a 50 metre penalty that followed led to a certain goal, followed by a classic Minchington snap for a 13-point half time lead.

The Borough hit back after the main break, outscoring the home side four goals to two to take a narrow four-point lead and set up an enthralling final quarter.

Gary Ayres' charges started well once more, kicking the first two goals and jumping out to a 16-point advantage.

However, as has been the case for much of the 2015 season, Sandringham rallied in spectacular fashion – booting eight unanswered majors to storm home and all but end Port Melbourne’s finals aspirations.

Former Cat Mitch Brown (25 disposals, 9 marks) and Tom Lee (20 disposals, 8 marks) stood up like a brick wall, holding the Borough goalless from the five-minute mark of the final term to ensure a Zebras win.

St Kilda Development Coach and Sandringham Coach Paul Hudson was pleased with the victory coming off the VFL bye and the efforts to rebound following quarter-time and three-quarter-time deficits.

"It was a really strong win against a very good football side," Hudson told SAINTS.com.au.

"It wasn't a great start and difficult kicking against the wind in the first quarter, but our ability to adapt after quarter time was really strong and to finish the game the way we did was terrific.

"Tim Membrey gave us a great focal point up forward, while Darren Minchington and Brodie Murdoch (15 disposals, 8 tackles) provided great inside grunt to feed out to our runners in Cam Shenton and Eli Templeton in particular.

"We turn our attention to the Northern Blues now and will focus on making sure we put together a full four quarter performance next week."

Sandringham travels to Ikon Park next Sunday to take on the 14th placed Northern Blues.

SANDRINGHAM 2.0 9.4 11.5 19.6 (120)

PORT MELBOURNE 5.7 6.7 10.15 12.15 (87)

GOALS: Membrey 4, Zijai 2, Dennis-Lane 2, Templeton 2, Shenton 2, Markworth 2, Le Grice, Saad, Payne, Minchington, Pierce.

BEST: Membrey, Minchington, Shenton, Templeton, Ray, Brown.