The Dandenong Southern Stingrays were well represented in the first round of the AFL Under 18 National carnival last weekend. Playing traditional rivals, Vic Metro; the Seven Stingrays players who suited up, all played a vital part in the strong 7 goal victory.
Mitch Hallahan was awarded captaincy of the team by his peers and proceeded to lead from the front with a tough inside mid field performance. Setting up the stoppage structures, Hallahan was a key player in Vic Country’s control of the highly rated Vic Metro mid field. His defensive work and his ability to get first hands on the ball in dispute was first rate.
Starting at Half Forward, Luke Parker joined Hallahan in the winning Vic Country mid field where he too added strength and skill to repeatedly drive the ball into the tall Vic Country forwardline. Parkers ability to work both ways proved vital in the Vic Country’s ability to move the ball from back to forward.
In the Vic Country backline, Andrew McInnes and late call up Matt Buntine, who is still only 16 years old; both played wonderful games. Shutting out the Vic Metro forwards then winning their own ball to start repeated counter attacks, both McInnes and Buntine were key players in the tight knit Vic Country back half.
Adam Treloar played mainly on a wing with sort bursts both forward and back and had a role controlling his area but being able to rest forward and go into the backline to rest the small defenders. Treloar’s stats count wasn’t high but his ability to influence the contest at vital times was crucial to the Vic Country win.
Tom Lynch started as a key forward and as part of the tall Vic country forwardline with Walker and Cook. Vic Country’s ability to kick a winning score relied on the separation of the key Vic Metro defenders and with small forwards Smith and Lamb the Vic Country forwards looked very dangerous. Very good one on one and with high defensive pressure, the Country forwardline looked as they had been playing together for years.
Daniel Harrison teamed up with Ceglar from the Bushrangers to take on the much vaunted Vic Metro Rucks. Struggling early in the game both Harrison and Ceglar worked tirelessly both in the air and into the backline to help out the defenders and by the end of the game had matched the Metro Rucks.
Next weekend the Stingrays head to Blacktown, NSW to take on the Kevin Sheedy coached Greater West Sydney for Round 9 TAC Cup clash, the same day and venue as the Vic Country Under 18’s play NSW/ACT in the AFL Under 18 Nationals.
Scores
Vic Country 16-9-105
Vic Metro 9-9-63
Goals: Vic Country – Lucas Cook 5, Jed Lamb 4, Devon Smith 3, Thomas Bugg, Tim Northe, Dyson Heppell, Tom Lynch.
Best: Vic Country – Lucas Cook, Devon Smith, Jayden Pitt, Mitch Hallahan, Jed Lamb, Andrew McInnes, Luke Parker.
Last Modified on 31/05/2010 15:33