By Dejan Kalinic
Collingwood has consolidated its position in the top eight with a 25-point win over Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday.
The Pies led at every change and, kicking with the slight breeze in the final term, ran out 14.9.(93) to 10.8.(68) winners.
Nathan Brown was sensational for Collingwood, keeping the competition’s leading goal-kicker Nick Sautner to just two goals and rebounding from defence.
But it was the first quarter which would prove to be the most vital in Collingwood’s victory.
Kicking against the breeze, the Pies managed to kick three goals and lead Sandringham by one point at the first change.
Collingwood showed the strength of the breeze with the first six goals of the second term, including a long goal from Tristan Francis after a great chase from Anthony Corrie – one of three for the game.
The Pies lead by 40 points at the main break but Sandringham came out firing in the third term.
Lead by Tom Lynch, who finished with four goals, the Zebras pegged the margin back to six points at three-quarter time.
They couldn’t hold out Collingwood in the final term as the Pies kicked three goals, largely thanks to Chris Dawes and Chris Bryan up forward.
Forward Tom Lynch was good for Sandringham, captain Peter Summers characteristically worked hard and St Kilda rookie Tom Simpkin was courageous in defence.
Nathan Brown was the best player on the ground and Collingwood teammate Jaxson Barham found a lot of the ball, though a few of his disposal’s were sloppy.
Sandringham’s inconsistent season continued and after two consecutive losses, next week’s bye comes at a good time.
On the other hand, Collingwood has won two straight and faces the Casey Scorpions in a huge game at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday.
Sandringham 3.1 4.2 10.7 10.8 (68)
| Collingwood 3.2 10.6 11.7 14.9 (93)
GOALS:Sandringham: Lynch 4 Steven 2 Sautner 2 Geary Gaertner
Collingwood: Pendlebury 3 Bryan 3 Dawes 2 Barham 2 Sidebottom Francis Blight Cook
BEST:Sandringham: Gallagher Simpkin Biddlecombe Lynch Johnson Summers
Collingwood: Brown Colbert Barham Reid Reed Cook
Last Modified on 13/07/2009 15:43