READ MORE - All this weekend's BFNL round 15 match reports
READ MORE - Weekend of high football drama across the region
SANDHURST officially locked the door to the BFNL's top five with its 73-point win over Castlemaine at the QEO on Sunday.
The Dragons won 18.20 (128) to 8.7 (55) and are now five games clear in the top five with three rounds remaining.
"We were quite inaccurate today, but I'm not too worried about that. We created a lot of opportunities and were quite dominant throughout," Sandhurst coach Ash Connick said.
As well as banking the four points in their 10th win of the season, the Dragons completed the game injury-free, while X-factor Andrew Collins got through a full match in what has been a frustrating season curtailed by injury.
"He got through really strongly and spent a fair bit of time on the ball, so it was good for him to get that game time with what we've got coming up," Connick said.
Oscar McKinley, Jed Zimmer (two goals) and key forward Matt Thornton (three goals) were the Dragons' best three players.
Consistent midfielder Jake O'Brien, Jesse Johnson and youngster Declan Slingo played well for the Magpies, whose score of 55 was their highest against a top-five side this year.


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