The Dandenong Southern Stingrays head to another TAC Cup Preliminary final after a strong 71 point win over the North Ballarat Rebels at Visy Park, Carlton last Saturday.
The Stingrays and Rebels both went into the game in good form following big wins. The Stingrays 64 point winners over the Oakleigh Chargers and the Rebels 100 point winners over the Murray Bushrangers last weekend. In very wet conditions after torrential overnight and early morning rain, the Stingrays were never troubled as they jumped out to a 3 goal lead early in the game and extended their lead at every change. Young stars Dylan Shiel and Adam Treloar were both in sparkling form with 10 possessions in the first term and the supply to tall forwards Tom Lynch and Arryn Siposs was first class as the both caused all sorts of grief to the rebels defenders.
The second term was one of complete domination by the Stingrays as they kept the Rebels scoreless. At one stage in late in the second quarter the inside 50’s were 33 to 6 which epitomized the control of the game by the Stingrays. On top all over the ground with plenty of good work and pressure in the midfield, solid rebounding defense and an energetic multi faceted front half, the Stingrays extended the 19 point ¼ time lead out to 37 at the long break.
The third term was the best quarter for the Rebels as they managed 3 goals but by late in the term the Stingrays had replied with 4 of their own to be 43 points ahead at the last change. Another 5 goals to the Stingrays to the Rebels one pushed the lead to 71 and with a final inside 50 count of 75 to 32 it was a comfortable clinical display by the ladder leading Stingrays. Shiel and Treloar continued their good work and were assisted in the middle of the ground by Mitch Gent, Jake Greeley, Tom Curren, Brad Tagg and Luke Parker in a mid field that set up the good win. Lynch and Siposs were the dominant forwards on the ground and the Stingrays backline led by Riley Heddles, Matt Buntine and Jordan Kelly were impassable as the defended well and counter attacked with plenty of energy and speed.
Next weeks Preliminary final has the Stingrays tackling the Calder Cannons in a 2009 Grand final rematch after the Cannons easily accounted for the Geelong Falcons in a bit of an upset. The game will be on Saturday at 11.30am Visy Park, Carlton and entry is free.
Last Modified on 06/09/2010 22:39
