THE STORY SO FAR

It has been a successful first half of the season for Sandringham, in the second year of Senior Coach Paul Hudson’s tenure at Trevor Barker Oval.

The Zebras sit in third position on the VFL ladder heading into Round 12, having now passed three byes in the opening half of the year. The Zebras recovered from a heavy loss to Box Hill in Round 1 to win three in a row - their biggest stretch of consecutive wins this season - to hold a 6-2 record.

Sandringham haven’t put a foot wrong, aside from losses to the first-placed Casey Scorpions and last year’s grand finalists, the Box Hill Hawks, giving much hope for a strong second half of the season heading into the finals.

Injuries and AFL selection for the St Kilda-listed players have impacted team balance at Beach Road, however, the Zebras have pushed through adversity and are well placed to better 2015.

HOW WE GOT HERE

Round 1 vs Box Hill Hawks  - LOSS (37 points)

A big test at Box Hill City Oval proved just that, with a 37-point loss for the Zebras after strong output by the Hawks across four quarters. Tom Lee was among the best patrolling the back half with 19 disposals and 12 marks, along with 34 disposals to Blake Acres. TAC Cup recruit Kade Answerth made the step up from U18s to state football in fine fashion, finishing with 19 disposals and two goals.

Best players: Tom Lee, Blake Acres, Kade Answerth

Round 3 vs Footscray - WIN (28 points)

Sandringham registered their first win for 2016 with a hard-fought battle at home. Matt Kreymborg was the highest goal scorer with four goals and Tom Curren booted three. Jade Gresham and Eli Templeton racked up the numbers through the midfield.

Best players: Matt Kreymborg, Tom Curren, Jade Gresham

Round 4 vs Richmond - WIN (54 points)

A really strong away win for the Zebras, running out 54-point victors under lights at Punt Rd. Goal sneak Jack Lonie provided class up forward and through the midfield with three goals and 33 disposals, along with Myke Cook and Kade Answerth again gathering high numbers.

Best players: Jack Lonie, Myke Cook, Kade Answerth

Round 5 vs Collingwood - WIN (67 points)

Arguably the Zebras most complete four-quarter performance of the season, disposing of the Pies on their home deck with aplomb. Sandringham handled the dewy conditions under lights very well with an even spread of goal kickers. Cam Shenton and skipper Trent Dennis-Lane led the goal scorers with three apiece.

Best players: Cam Shenton, Paddy McCartin, Kade Answerth

Round 6 vs Casey Scorpions - LOSS (31 points)

Sandringham’s stretch of wins came to a halt against the first-placed Casey Scorpions, inconsistency across four quarters hurting the Zebras’ intent. Cam Shenton and Trent Dennis-Lane led the goal scorers with three goals each.

Best players: Cam Shenton, Dan McKenzie, Tom Lee

Round 7 vs Werribee - WIN (37 points)

Sandringham rebounded after a slow start and trailed by 26-points half way through the first quarter to run out convincing victors, following a spur on from the coach at quarter time. Jack Lonie was superb with four goals and Blake Acres gathered 36 disposals and laid six tackles.

Best players: Jack Lonie, Blake Acres, Brodie Murdoch

Round 9 vs Geelong - WIN (2 points)

Sandringham produced their best win of the season to date, coming from behind to snatch a two-point win from Geelong away from home. Trent Dennis-Lane headed the goals with a six-goal haul, along with significant midfield numbers from Darren Minchington and Blake Acres, which saw them rewarded with AFL selection.

Best players: Trent Dennis-Lane, Darren Minchington, Blake Acres

Round 10 vs Essendon - WIN (28 points)

Sandringham secured their third straight win heading into the last bye round, also matching their longest winning streak of the season with a 28-point win over the Bombers. Jack Lonie produced another standout performance with five goals, with big midfield numbers to Jack Billings and Eli Templeton also.

Best players: Jack Lonie, Jack Billings, Eli Templeton

INDIVIDUAL HONOURS: 3-PEAT

Surprise packet

Kade Answerth: Best on the ground in last year’s TAC Cup Grand Final with the Oakleigh Chargers, many would not have expected Answerth to play senior VFL football straight away. The 19-year-old has impressed the coaching staff at Trevor Barker Oval, with his determination and hardness at the contest making him a lock in Paul Hudson’s team. Having forced his way in after being the 23rd man for the first few weeks of the season, Answerth has gathered high numbers, his best being a 30 disposal game in the Round 4 win over Richmond.

Setting a platform

Matt Kreymborg: For a player who spent much of 2015 in the Sandringham Development Squad, Kreymborg has provided another avenue to goal and the ability to push into the midfield to give extra grunt. His 11 goals for the season and forward pressure has been critical to the team’s success, his best performance being a four-goal haul against Footscray in Round Three.

Standout performance

Trent Dennis-Lane vs Geelong (Round 9): It was a dominant display from the captain down the highway, with his six-goal haul helping Sandringham a thrilling two-point win at Simonds Stadium. Along with 12 disposals and five marks against the Cats, Dennis-Lane has proven to be an inspired choice as Adam Cockie’s successor in 2016.

THE STORY TO COME

Sandringham are as well placed as anyone to mount a second half assault and finish as high as the top two if all goes well. The Zebras will be keen to extend their current three game winning streak for the first time this season when they take on the Northern Blues at Preston City Oval in Round 12 after the bye.

There are other tests looming for Sandy, with away trips against Coburg, the Casey Scorpions, North Ballarat and Werribee to come. Add top of the table clashes against the Box Hill Hawks, Williamstown and Port Melbourne that will test the resolve of Paul Hudson’s men.