The contenders for the 2016 Peter Jackson VFL premiership are putting themselves forward, with Saturday’s Round 12 action seeing Sandringham consolidate a top-four position and Port Melbourne joining it in the top bracket.
The Zebras accounted for the Northern Blues by 40 points to maintain their hold on third spot, while the Borough jumped from seventh to fourth after a hard-fought 16-point triumph over the Box Hill Hawks.
In the day’s other games, Coburg continued Werribee’s recent woes in defeating the Tigers by 14 points and North Ballarat outlasted Frankston to prevail by seven points.
NORTH BALLARAT 11.9 (75) d FRANKSTON 10.8 (68)
Streak: North Ballarat – L L L L W / Frankston – L L L L L
Telling facts: The Roosters held on for just their second win of 2016 at Frankston Oval, drawing level with the Dolphins on premiership points but still sitting last on the ladder on percentage. North Ballarat opened up a 22-point lead at three-quarter time after an even first half, but had to withstand a late Frankston rally to secure its first win since Round 1 against Coburg.
Leading goalkickers: A.Hooper 2, Tate 2, S.Hooper 2 (North Ballarat) / Cass 3, Bennett 2 (Frankston)
PORT MELBOURNE 10.11 (71) d BOX HILL HAWKS 7.13 (55)
Streak: Port Melbourne – L W L W W / Box Hill Hawks – L W L L L
Telling facts: Port Melbourne won an epic slog in difficult conditions at North Port Oval to temporarily jump into the top four. Even without skipper Toby Pinwill who was a late out through injury, the Borough kicked the only three goals of a tense final quarter and held the Hawks to just six behinds to prevail. The loss was Box Hill’s fifth in its last six games.
Leading goalkickers: Lisle 2, Osborne 2 (Port Melbourne) / Summers 2 (Box Hill Hawks)
COBURG 9.19 (73) d WERRIBEE 9.5 (59)
Streak: Coburg – L W W L W / Werribee – L L L L L
Telling facts: Coburg moved above Werribee into 10th spot on the ladder after recovering from a slow start at Avalon Airport Oval. The Tigers held a seven-point lead at quarter time, but that was quickly eroded with the Lions keeping them scoreless in the second term as rain started falling. Despite its inaccuracy, Coburg held firm to record a third win in four games.
Leading goalkickers: Saad 2, Schraven 2 (Coburg) / Conway 2 (Werribee)
SANDRINGHAM 13.24 (102) d NORTHERN BLUES 9.8 (62)
Streak: Sandringham – L W W W W / Northern Blues – L W W W L
Telling facts: The Zebras consolidated their position in the top four with strong four-quarter performance at Preston City Oval. A five-goal-to-one second quarter created a 36-point advantage for Sandringham at the main break, which proved to be match-defining. The defeat ended Northern’s three-game winning streak.
Leading goalkickers: Shenton 3, O’Kearney 3, Murdoch 2, Dennis-Lane 2 (Sandringham) / Viojo-Rainbow 3, Silvagni 2, Buckley 2 (Northern Blues)
CLICK HERE for the full results, best players and goalkickers
CLICK HERE for the updated ladder
Sunday games:
Williamstown v Geelong
Collingwood v Richmond (Channel 7 from 2pm)
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VFL MEDIA COVERAGE: June 25/26
STEP BACK THINK's Team Lace Up campaign
VFL TEAMS: Rd 12
Werribee's Scott Sherlock happy at home
Last Modified on 25/06/2016 18:01