The Northern Blues weathered the best of Sandringham’s 13 final-quarter shots on goal to register their maiden win of 2015 by six points at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday.
A Nick Graham goal in the closing moments of the game sealed the 14. 12. (96) to 12. 18. (90) victory, but not without some nail-biting moments in the game’s closing stages.
The Blues looked to be comfortably on the way to their first win, leading by as much as 21 points in the final term.
Sandringham came roaring right back into the contest and threatened to leave the Blues pondering what might have been for the third week in the row, but the home side was left to rue horrible goal kicking, booting 3.10 in the final term.
The Zebras got the early break with the opening two goals of the game, but the Blues hit back with some brilliant attacking football to have the narrowest of margins at the first change.
Matthew Watson (14 disposals, 1.1) was a focal point alongside Jayden Foster up forward, with the likes of Blaine Johnson (17 disposals, 2.2) and a returning Troy Menzel (eight disposals and two goals) reaping the rewards early on.
Aside from the opening minutes, the margin never extended beyond double digits until late in the third quarter, with the Blues having a 15-point lead at the last change.
After the first goal of the last term came through Graham, Sandringham hit back and at one stage hit the front in the final quarter.
The Blues withstood a barrage of pressure late, with the Zebras' 21-6 inside-50s in the last quarter making for some incredibly nervy moments.
Saints-listed forward Spencer White spearheaded Sandringham’s attack with three goals, while Tom Curren (22 possessions) and Daniel Minchington (17) were the Zebras’ prime movers.
It was left to clutch goals from Nick Holman and Graham to give the Blues what was ultimately a game-winning lead.
Tom Fields enjoyed a fluctuating battle with Mitch Brown (2.5), who looked like Sandringham’s most threatening avenue to goal. In the end, it was a resolute effort and refusal to yield from the Blues that saw them come away with the four points for the first time this season.
Speaking post-match, Fields lauded the efforts of his teammates to hold on in the closing stages.
“Those last two minutes were the longest of my life,” Fields said.
“Sandy kept coming at us late so full credit to the boys for gritting our teeth and holding on for our first win of the season.”
Fields spoke of the heartache from the preceding weeks as a key factor in the Blues holding out, in a game where the Zebras were never out of the contest.
“At no stage did we feel that we were comfortable, even when we were three goals up in the last term we knew that Sandringham would keep on coming,” Fields said.
“After going through the first two rounds, we made sure we all knew about our structures and stuck them to see the game out and we managed that today.”
The Blues will be looking to make it two in a row next Sunday, coming up against Frankston at Frankston Oval at 2pm.
SANDRINGHAM 4.1 6.3 9.8 12. 18. (90)
NORTHERN BLUES 4.2 6.6 11.10 14. 12. (96)
GOALS
NORTHERN BLUES: Graham 3, Johnson 2, Menzel 2, Walsh 2, Holman, Bransgrove, Wilson, Viojo-Rainbow, Watson.
SANDRINGHAM: White 3, Brown 2, Cook, Dennis-Lane, Holmes, Minchington, Saunders, Zijai.
BEST
NORTHERN BLUES: Graham, Johnson, McGuinness, Holman, Walsh, Johnston
SANDRINGHAM: Brown, Minchington, Wright, Saad, Holmes, Lee
STATS FOR CARLTON-LISTED PLAYERS
Levi Casboult
Kicks: 5; Handballs: 6; Marks: 3; Tackles: 4; Goals: 0
Matthew Dick
Kicks: 11; Handballs: 4; Marks: 5; Tackles: 1; Goals: 0
Tom Fields
Kicks: 16; Handballs: 7; Marks: 5; Tackles: 3; Goals: 0
Jayden Foster
Kicks: 12; Handballs: 4; Marks: 6; Tackles: 0; Goals: 0
Billy Gowers
Kicks: 10; Handballs: 5; Marks: 4; Tackles: 2; Goals: 0
Nick Graham
Kicks: 17; Handballs: 5; Marks: 4; Tackles: 3; Goals: 3
Nick Holman
Kicks: 10; Handballs: 9; Marks: 4; Tackles: 5; Goals: 1
Blaine Johnson
Kicks: 12; Handballs: 5; Marks: 4; Tackles: 2; Goals: 2
Troy Menzel
Kicks: 6; Handballs: 2; Marks: 3; Tackles: 2; Goals: 2
Fraser Russell
Kicks: 2; Handballs: 0; Marks: 1; Tackles: 1; Goals: 0
Clem Smith
Kicks: 4; Handballs: 8; Marks: 0; Tackles: 3; Goals: 0
Jason Tutt
Kicks: 12; Handballs: 6; Marks: 6; Tackles: 0; Goals: 0
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow
Kicks: 4; Handballs: 4; Marks: 2; Tackles: 1; Goals: 1
Brad Walsh
Kicks: 12; Handballs: 8; Marks: 2; Tackles: 6; Goals: 2
Matthew Watson
Kicks: 8; Handballs: 6; Marks: 7; Tackles: 2; Goals: 1
