The game was closely contested and hard fought for the better part of three quarters until the Zebras snuck away kicking four unanswered goals to take out the clash - 10.20 (80) to 6.14 (50).
The Northern Blues could only manage eight behinds after half time, after a strong first half display which saw the home side lead at the main change. Brock Mclean led the way for the Blues, once again finding the football with ease as he registered over thirty disposals for the fourth time this year.
The crucial loss of Andre Gianfagna in the opening stages of the match due to a suspected hamstring injury hampered the Blues early. The Blues failed to switch on allowing Sandringham to kick out to a 14-point lead at the first break. It took more than 20 minutes for the Blues to get a major on the board, the first coming from an Adam Marcon goal as good as any scored in top flight European Soccer Leagues as he went off the ground thanks to a Brock McLean assist.
Tiny Tim Totevski positioned himself well at the stoppages and in doing so found himself in the right place at the right time to snap the second for the Blues.
In the second quarter, the Northern Blues came out firing with four unanswered goals to Andy Collins, Rohan Kerr, Luke Visser and McLean. The Blues were first to the football and dominant for the majority of the quarter, skipping out to a 14-point lead and impressively keeping the Zebras goalless until the dying minutes of the term.
After the halftime break, the game tightened as the weather turned for the worse and made for difficult playing conditions. Sandringham managed the only goal of the quarter as the Blues wasted numerous opportunities, mustering only six behinds. Entrusted with the main ruck duties through the absence of Robbie Warnock, Nick Meese stepped up and starred while Kane Lambert and Brent Bransgrove relished the slippery conditions finding the hard ball time and time again.
Searching for a second win of 2012, the Northern Blues were well in the contest midway through the final term, trailing by only 10 points. However, cool heads for Sandringham prevailed and led the way with a string of goals, ultimately snuffing out any hope for a Blues win, and in doing so exhibited why they are one of the contenders for the Peter Jackson VFL flag this year.
Northern Blues - 6.14 (50)
Sandringham - 10.20 (80)
Goals - A.Marcon, A.Collins, R.Kerr, L.Visser, T.Totevski, B. McLean
Best Players - B. McLean, N. Meese, K. Lambert, A. Collins, B. Bransgrove, P. McCarthy
