The Dandenong Southern Stingrays had a rare weekend in Sydney with both the Vic Country Under 18’s playing NSW/ACT in the AFL Under 18 National carnival and the Stingrays playing Greater Western Sydney at the same venue (Blacktown) on the same day and both teams came away very comfortable winners.
Mitch Hallahan, Luke Parker, Tom Lynch, Todd Elton and Riley Heddles all headed to Sydney on Friday, suited up for Vic Country and all played well in the 66 point win over the NSW state team. Matt Buntine, Adam Treloar and Andrew McInnes were all rested from the Vic Country team until the clash with WA at Subiaco next weekend.
Hallahan and Parker were both named in the Vic Country best with their performances in the midfield for Vic Country and their stocks as top end talent in football circles have been confirmed over the past two weekends. Riley Heddles was also named in the best with his game as a small defender. Heddles defensive efforts in his 1 on 1 contest was first rate as was his rebound run to start counter attacks. Lynch started on fire taking 5 marks in the first term at CHF and worked well in the dominant Country front half. Todd Elton, who has just turned 17 started on the bench, sharing the Ruck duties with Murray Bushranger John Ceglar and spent time on the Wing and as a tall forward option.
Meanwhile the Stingrays touring party travelled on Saturday for their game against the newest AFL franchise; the GWS team, headed by legendary coach Kevin Sheedy and AFL game development guru Alan McConnell. The Stingrays started fast and led by 41 points at the first break and easily accounted for GWS by 53 points.
Tall forwards Arryn Sippos, Jed Savage and Corey Buchan proved a handful for the GWS backs and were to be the difference in the two teams scoring ability. Defenders Lachie Wallace and Piva Wright were superb winning plenty of the ball and keeping their opponents under control. Daniel Harrison was strong in the Ruck and the experienced on ball division of Ben Wells, Matt Lee, Mitch Gent and Brad Tagg was too clean and clinical fro their interstate opposition.
Next weekend is a bye for the Stingrays before a trip to Ballarat to tackle the North Ballarat Rebels and the Vic Country Under 18’s go to Perth to play WA at Subiaco in the AFL Under 18 Nationals.
Last Modified on 07/06/2010 14:34