The Dandenong Southern Stingrays were well short of their best 22 but came out comfortable 33 point winners over an equally undermanned Sandringham Dragons in windy but fine conditions at Coburg City Oval in the Round 15 TAC Cup contest.
With private school football, the VSSSA all high grand final; featuring Hallam SSC; and injuries the Stingrays had arguably 9 of their best 25 not available as the took on local TAC Cup rival and 5th placed Sandringham Dragons who were also well below full strength due to private school football and injuries. The Stingrays started slowly having trouble with the pace of the Dragons especially on the counter attack. Kicking with the breeze it was two goals to goal kicking machine Corey Buchan that kept the Stingrays close to the rampant Dragons who with four straight led at the first change by 11 points.
At quarter time the Stingrays adjusted their line up, were urged to lift their work rate and with smaller, quicker flankers managed to blow the game apart with a seven goals to one and took a 27 point lead into the long break. The Stingrays tall targets in the front half were causing the Dragons all sorts grief with Daniel Harrison kicking two for the term and Tom Lynch one but caused enough crumbs and goals to on-ballers and small forwards Tom Curren, Luke Parker and Alex Benbow. Jake Batchelor was once again in good tough starting in the backline before heading into a new role in the mid field where he cleared stoppages, won his contested ball and repeatedly pumped the ball inside 50m.
The third term was a closer affair with the Dragons kicking 3 goals on quick transition to the Stingrays 2 but the Stingrays held sway by 22 points at the last break. Four more goals to one in the last stretched the margin to 33 points and confirmed a top four finish and double chance with two rounds to go for the Stingrays. The Stingrays gained a lot from the game with the form of Harrison in the Ruck and forward, Batchelors mid field form and the efforts of first gamers Robbie Hill as a small defender and 16 year old Jason Pongracic who did not look out of place once he picked up the pace of TAC Cup football. Riley Heddles was once again superb as a running back, Nathan Allen’s second half was superb and Luke Parker, Tom Curren and Alex Benbow won their positions through the midfield.
Next week is a bye for the Stingrays before back to back games at Shepley Oval, Dandenong. Saturday 14th August at 2.00pm to take on Greater Western Sydney the Saturday 21st August at 11.00am to take on ladder leaders Northern Knights and entry is free.
Last Modified on 02/08/2010 20:45