Northern Knights couldn’t repeat their heroics of the previous week and went down by 40 points against Sandringham Dragons on Saturday.
Several personnel changes hampered the Knights, who were without Kyle Langford who booted five goals in the win against Calder Cannons in round two.
The unbeaten Dragons got the early jump at Highgate Reserve, opening up a 19-point lead by quarter-time.
The Knights booted three of their eight goals in the second term, but were unable to reign in the Dragons, who slotted five.
The Knights kicked only four in the second half and the Dragons broke the game open to lead by 44 at the final break.
Sandringham slowed down in a relatively uneventful final term as the Knights booted two goals to cut the deficit.
Kieran Malone was the only multiple goalkicker for the Knights with two, while Jordan Perry and Jacob Booth battled hard all afternoon.
The Knights travel to Box Hill City Oval this Saturday to take on reigning TAC Cup premiers Eastern Ranges.
TAC CUP
SANDRINGHAM 4.3 9.4 13.7 14.11 (95)
NORTHERN 1.2 4.3 6.5 8.7 (55)
Goals: Sandringham: Dear 4 Balic 2 Barker Wilkinson Maynard Manteit Wallace Roos Gogis Neiwand. Northern: Malone 2 Wild Perry McKenzie Murphy Hunt Ballard.
Best: Sandringham: Maynard Manteit Balic Vickers-Willis Kelly Barker. Northern: Perry Booth Fiorini Murphy Ballard Tester, At Preston City Oval.
