Tasmania withstood a fierce Sandringham challenge in difficult conditions to claim an important 26-point victory at UTAS Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In a match played through heavy rain in the first half and persistent drizzle after the break, the Devils made the most of their early opportunities and built a critical buffer that ultimately carried them to a 19.12 (126) to 15.10 (100) win.
The opening term set the tone for a high-scoring contest despite the weather.
Tasmania’s forward pressure and cleaner execution allowed the Devils to strike repeatedly, piling on five goals to take a 13-point lead into the first break, 5.3 (33) to 3.2 (20).
Jed Hagan was influential early, while Lachlan Hay and Daniel Cooney also hit the scoreboard as the Devils took advantage of repeated forward entries.
Conditions remained slick in the second quarter, but Tasmania continued to find a way through traffic.
Goals to Jye Menzie, Robbie Fox and Cooney helped extend the margin, even as Sandringham stayed in touch through Jet Peckett and Jess Gedi.
Missed chances prevented the Devils from completely breaking the game open, but they still carried a healthy advantage into half-time, leading 9.9 (63) to 5.5 (35).
The contest exploded in the third term.
Both sides found far more freedom despite the earlier rain, trading goals in a rapid-fire stretch that saw the lead fluctuate without truly swinging.
Tasmania produced one of its most damaging quarters of the season, kicking seven goals to push beyond the 100-point mark at three-quarter time, 16.10 (106) to 9.6 (60).
Sam Siggins and Hugh Dixon were prominent during the surge, while Menzie’s movement through the middle continued to stretch Sandringham’s defence.
Sandringham refused to go away in the final quarter and produced a strong response, booting six goals to apply late pressure.
Andreas Stefanakis and Noah Yze were central to the Zebras’ charge as the margin briefly tightened, but Tasmania had answers when it mattered.
Late goals to Kai Cameron, Brandon Leary and Hagan ensured the Devils maintained control and closed out the contest.
Beyond the scoreboard, Tasmania’s win was built on pressure and persistence.
The Devils finished with more disposals and tackles and were able to absorb Sandringham’s dominance at stoppage, particularly in clearances, by forcing the ball forward and capitalising when chances arose.
Wet-weather composure and forward efficiency proved decisive across the four quarters.
Jye Menzie was outstanding for Tasmania, finishing with 24 disposals, three goals and two behinds, while Brandon Leary’s impact around the contest and forward of centre stood out in tough conditions.
Caleb Mitchell and Daniel Cooney were consistent across the day, and Hagan’s four-goal performance provided a key focal point inside 50.
Sandringham was well served by Daniel Pinter, Andreas Stefanakis and Jet Peckett, while Noah Yze’s late-quarter efforts kept the contest alive deep into the final term.
The victory came with some concern for Tasmania, with Zach Adams (knee) and Robbie Fox (groin) both sustaining injuries, while Sandringham reported no injuries from the match.
With valuable lessons reinforced in testing conditions, the Devils now turn their attention to next weekend with a clash against Werribee on Saturday at Melbourne’s Avalon Airport Oval.
2026 VFL Season – Round 6
Tasmania 5.3 9.9 16.10 19.12 (126)
Sandringham 3.2 5.5 9.6 15.10 (100)
GOALS
Tasmania: Hagan 4, Menzie 3, Cooney 2, Dixon 2, Siggins 2, Cameron, Leary, Hay, Fox
Sandringham: Yze 3, Stefanakis 2, Peckett 2, Ferraro 2, Hutchings 2, Gedi, Chirgwin, Voss, Stevens
BEST
Tasmania: Menzie, Leary, Mitchell, Hagan
Sandringham: Pinter, Stefanakis, Peckett, Yze
INJURIES
Tasmania: Adams (knee), Fox (groin)
Sandringham: Nil