Sandringham had the answers when it mattered most against Port Melbourne to win an intense elimination final by 45 points at North Port Oval on Sunday.

 

 

Dylan Weickhardt of Sandringham handballs during the VFL elimination final match between Port Melbourne and Sandringham. Photo: Graham Denholm/AFL Media

 

The Zebras, who meet reigning premier Williamstown in next Saturday's semi-final at North Port Oval, appeared galvanised after a turbulent finish to the home and away season, in which they lost six of their last seven matches.

It is at this time of the year that the Scorpions tend to get the wobbles – they have been knocked out in straight sets in four seasons – and despite a shaky start, they smashed the Dogs to win their first final since 2008.

Geelong will attack Saturday's elimination final against Essendon with a double-edged sword, as they look to get some game time into Nakia Cockatoo and Jed Bews in the lead-up to next Friday night's qualifying final against Hawthorn at the MCG.

Needing a win to stay ahead of Richmond and hold onto eighth spot, the Bombers started nervously and trailed by seven points at quarter-time.

The sides traded blows in the second term, Essendon briefly hitting the front after Sam Heavyside expertly roved a pack and snapped truly.

But the Blues answered straight back through Zach Ballard and reclaimed the lead when American big man Matthew Korcheck goaled.

Bombers on-baller Aaron Heppell had the final say for the half, bouncing through a classy goal to level the scores at 42 apiece at the main break.

It was all Essendon in the opening minutes of the third quarter, Will Hams making the Blues pay after they coughed up a 50m penalty.

Shaun Edwards stretched the margin to 14 but Northern hit back again through Glenn Strachan to stay in touch.

Only seven points separated the teams when Harry McKay missed at the 24-minute mark, with little sign of what was about to come.

Ryan Crowley slipped a Billy Gowers tackle two minutes later and opened the floodgates.

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• Frankston's loss to the Roosters sees them finish last

Only a few weeks after holding a major function at their new social club to celebrate their 50th year in the VFA/VFL, the Dolphins have called in an administrator to work through their financial situation and deal with creditors.

Worrells Solvency and Foresenic Accountants of Frankston has been appointed administrator.

But league sources suggest the Dolphins are determined to deal with their problems and play on in the state league.

The club is the only one in the VFL to have never been aligned with an AFL side. It has produced a number of AFL players over the years including Bulldog Matthew Boyd, Tiger Sam Lloyd and Essendon pair Mark Baguley and in-demand Michael Hibberd.

AFL great and Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres said this morning he was “shocked and saddened’’ at Frankston’s “current dire predicament’’.

He said he hoped the AFL and State Government would intervene and support the club.

“As a Victorian football community we need all the stand-alone clubs to be successful and competitive, and in the case of Frankston, with that whole region on their doorstep, I would think AFL Victoria would see them as extremely important,’’ he said.