News

SANDRINGHAM again stamped its authority over the VFL with a commanding 62-point victory over the depleted Northern Bullants at Trevor Barker Beach Oval yesterday.

The Zebras controlled the game from the opening bounce, racing to a 32-point lead by quarter-time.

The structured and polished ladder leaders turned the match into a virtual training drill, with some inaccurate goalkicking being the only real chink in their armour.

The Bullants battled hard all day but the home side was simply too talented.

Nick Sautner booted seven goals to widen his lead at the top of the goal-kicking table.

With 52 goals for the season, the 30-year-old full-forward is almost a certainty to win his seventh "Frosty" Miller Medal — awarded to the VFL's leading goalkicker. He will become the first player in the history of the VFA/VFL to win seven goal-kicking titles.

A fitter looking Lance Whitnall was a positive for the Bullants, collecting 17 effective possessions, predominantly across half-back, before being rested in the last quarter. The Carlton captain also went forward in the second quarter and kicked a goal.

"Lance was OK in the back line early and then we threw him onto the ball just to keep him in the game," said Bullants coach Barry Mitchell. Whitnall will most likely return to the AFL next week.

Sandringham coach Mark Williams was happy with his team's performance. "I am very pleased. It was an interesting game because they had numbers back which tied us down a bit but another 10-goal win is great."

Due to Melbourne's long injury list, the Zebras have used more VFL players including several debutants, than AFL-listed players and rookies.

"We are a very young side, but the young kids are playing really well," Williams said.

"We are going to need those guys (come finals time), because we've only qualified 12 or 13 Melbourne players to play finals so far, so it's great that those guys are getting the experience."

Under VFL rules, AFL-listed players must play a minimum of seven matches with their VFL affiliate in order to play finals.

Also yesterday, Frankston held out Werribee 13.17 (95) to 15.3 (93) at Frankston Oval. Despite having 30 scoring shots to 18, the Dolphins continually squandered easy chances to leave the door ajar for Werribee.

"It was one of those days where our kicking started badly and we just couldn't seem to get it back," Dolphins coach Brett Lovett said.

"They were always in it because of our kicking and with so many scoring chances it would have been a heartbreaking game to lose."

Justin Berry kicked six goals from 10 shots for the Dolphins and wingman Marcus Marigliani racked up 29 possessions to be the two best players on the day for the home side.