By Michael Sharkie-The Age

Only percentage separated third-placed Sandringham and fourth-placed Casey before yesterday's VFL match of the round, and for three quarters little separated the two clubs on the field.

With Sandringham goal-machine Nick Sautner still sidelined with injury and St Kilda half-forward Charlie Gardiner a late call-up to the senior side only hours before the bounce of the ball, the game looked likely to boil down to a battle of the back lines. Casey's young defence, headed by Alex Silvagni and James Wall, was ranked No. 1 in the VFL before yesterday's game, having conceded only 741 points during the first nine rounds.

But Sandringham's equally effective back line was snapping at its heels, with only 748 points kicked against it this season.

Despite the absence of their forward beacon in Sautner, Sandringham looked dangerous early, finding three separate goalkickers in the first quarter. Casey kept in touch through centre-half forward Ben Waite, but Sandringham maintained a six-point lead at the first break.

The Zebras were to see that advantage swing in their opponent's favour in the second half as Casey's running back line repeatedly set up forwards Michael Rix and Jarryd Allen.

But Sandringham defenders Chris Lamb and Daniel Bell held their own to ensure that each Scorpion goal would be hard-earned.

Both teams struggled to pierce their full-forward lines, with much of the game played between the 50-metre arcs during the first three quarters. Casey captain Kyle Matthews led by example, his repeated tackling through the midfield an inspiration for his young teammates. Sandringham captain Peter Summers was not to be outdone, however, and was instrumental in setting up many of his side's forward thrusts.

With Casey holding a six-point margin at three-quarter-time, the game looked within reach of both sides at the final change. Sandringham coach Andy Lovell applauded his players for their hard work but asked for more run in the final term.

When Shane Valenti levelled the scores less than two minutes into the final term, the Zebras looked like keeping their 20-game winning streak against Casey intact, but a quick reply from Brad Howard soon put the Scorpions back in front.

Further goals from Allen, Matthews, David Armitage and Rix quashed the Zebras' resistance, the Scorpions proving once more that they are a hard team to crack when under pressure, breaking a long drought against the Zebras in the process.

Armitage, Rix, Silvagni and Matthews were best for Casey, while Summers, Mark Jamar and Andrew McConnell worked hard for Sandringham.