VFL Match Report: Round 4 vs North Melbourne

20/04/2026

Returning home after a strong start to the season, our energy ultimately fizzled in an 80-point loss against North Melbourne. Zebs Captain Blake Watson made his return from a mild pre-season injury for his 50th VFL game.

We hit the board early with Brodie Findlay kicking the first goal of the game from a set shot, with North Melbourne answering back. Despite strong efforts in our midfield, including eight disposals for Ethan Williams, the strong defence from North caused difficulty converting our forward 50 entries to goals. A crafty goal from Jack Ferraro put us back in action while bringing up his seventh goal for the season so far, followed by another from Darcy Chirgwin. We held the lead for the quarter until North responded with two late goals giving them the lead into the first break.  

Despite a quick start to the first quarter, we struggled to regain momentum in the second, with North scoring seven unanswered before Jet Peckett broke their streak with a well-positioned set shot. 

Heading into a loaded second half, we came out prepared to lift our efforts. Noah Yze put us back on the board early, goaling from a pack mark. We struggled to convert for the bulk of the quarter but matched North's defensive efforts, keeping them to a four-goal term. Late goals from Willis Reidy, Josh Hutchings and Ferraro kept us in the game. 

By the fourth quarter we found ourselves still unable to match North's game, struggling to get the ball into our forward half until late goals from Reidy and Ferraro rounded out the day. 

Despite the scoreboard, there were still notable efforts, with Andreas Stefanakis registering eight tackles while Hutchings, Chirgwin and Brodie Atkins each had six. 

Next week we host Box Hill Hawks at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday 26th of April with the first ball at 12:05pm.

Check out all the match day info.

Scores
Sandringham: 3.1, 4.4, 8.6, 8.7 (69)
North Melbourne: 3.5, 10.6, 14.11, 17.15 (149)

Disposals: Williams 26, Chirgwin 22, Kirkwood-Scott 21, Hopkins 21
Goals: Ferraro 3, Reidy 2, Yze 1,  Peckett 1, Hutchings 1, Findlay 1, Chirgwin 1

Visit the VFL website for full stats. 

Photos: Archie Edelsten - Sandringham FC Media

Written by Peter Hinds - Sandringham FC Media