The Dandenong Southern Stingrays took on ladder leaders Calder Cannons last Saturday at Visy Park for the Qualifying final and continued on their winning form snatching victory in the dying seconds to walk away with a 3 point win and a Preliminary Final spot.
In fine and windy conditions the Cannons fired the first shot and scored after a few minutes of intense contested football that was played between the arcs. The ball headed back to the middle for a bounce and 30 seconds later a bit of magic from Darren Minchington who took the ball from the middle to split the big sticks 50 out, which set up the day to be. It would be an arm wrestle all day with neither side gaining more than a few goals break. The second goal for the Stingrays, through midfield dynamic rocket Minchington, once again split the big sticks after driving from a high half forward stoppage. Calder quickly answered and had opportunities to put a buffer but errant kicking saw them finished the quarter with 6 behinds. The third goal to the Rays was once again through the Stingrays midfield that drove the ball inside 50 to the big boys before Lachie Whitfield showed his class and poise with a much needed crumbing goal. At the first change the Stingrays trailed the Cannons by 6 points in what was a very physical encounter. A hamstring injury to Corey Buchan just before the end of first quarter siren would see him ruled out for the remainder of the day. Dandenong Stingrays Coach Graeme Yeats was happy with the first quarter but asked all players to lift their intensity, stick tackles, work on structures around the ground and show some composure when hitting up the forwards.
The second term started with a bang with the Canons splitting the middle within 30 seconds and it looked like they might take control of the game. The Stingrays had the wind and controlled the ball for long periods of the term but were not able to punish the Cannons on the scoreboard. The first goal for the Stingrays came from a 50 metre penalty to Jake Calvert who hit up Jason Salopek 30 out. The arm wrestle continued with Calder replying. The second goal for the quarter for the Stingrays came through a nice snap to Billy Rolfe. It took another 8 minutes of play with the ball moving freely between both arcs before the Stingrays scored their next goal courtesy of a magnificent contested mark to Brett O’Hanlon, again through the silky foot skills of Whitfield off the wing. The backs, especially Robert Hill, Jordan Kelly and Ryan Morrison were all over the Calder forwards. Morrison marked everything in sight and Buntine, Kelly and Hill were rebounding well back to drive the ball back inside the Stingrays 50. Two late goals in a two minute period allowed Calder back into the game, which saw them hold a 6 point lead at the half time break. During the long break Yeats spoke to the team about not over possessing the ball, but was very happy with the pressure the entire group had produced, with the tackle count climbing and the inside 50’s putting Calder under plenty of pressure and stress.
The third quarter started with the first goal to the Stingrays after a 50 metre penalty was given to Lachlan Wallace a few minutes into the quarter, but that would be the only score for the Stingrays. The next 20 minutes would be a battle of defenders with both teams on top of their direct opponents and rebounding the ball, but they were shallow entries or lacking precision. Finally, the Calder Cannons scored their first and only goal, but again poor kicking within set shots saw them miss two vital shots on goal and 3 out of bounds on the full. At the end of the quarter the Cannons had slightly stretched their lead to 8 points. Many players from both sides were cramping and feeling the effects of the ball working from end to end. The warm day would test the fitness of both sides and with two straight kicks in the game it was anyone’s game.
Again, the Stingrays started really well from some hard work in the middle to kick quickly inside 50 that resulted in a great crumbing goal to Bryce Kellerman 35 seconds into the quarter. The next came through the efforts of Nick Haynes. His 2nd and 3rd efforts opened up space for the every hard working Alex Benbow who broke the lines to snap his first for the day. The next 5 minutes saw the ball bobble between the arcs once again. The Stingrays entered deep inside their 50 three times without conversion, the last allowed the Cannons to rebound the ball and take it coast to coast to goal, that gave them the lead. With a few minutes of play left and both teams out on their feet it was all about those who were willing to push through the pain barrier to get either team over the line. A great run down tackle from Alex Benbow gave the Stingrays a huge lift and opportunity to deliver another one deep inside 50. All the big boys flew and the ball flicked out the back where Todd Elton roved brilliantly to run into an open goal 15 meters out for the
Stingrays to take the lead back. Little to be known to those on the field there was 20 seconds left on the clock. The ball bounced and the Cannons penetrated inside 50 before the siren sounded.
There were 9 individual goal kickers with the Stingrays key forwards kept quiet on the scoreboard, but all had major impact on the game. The back 6 defenders once again controlled the game for most of the day, with Ryan Morrison continuing to grow each week and to be named in the best. Jordan Kelly successfully returned from injury and showed some brilliant composure in some very tight situations. Robert Hill had a stand out game in the air and worked the ball well back through the middle from deep back.
The Stingrays now enjoy a week’s rest before taking on the winner of the Oakleigh Chargers versus the Gippsland Power who play next weekend. The Stingrays next game is to played at Visy Park, Carlton on Saturday 17th September at 1.45pm, which is the Preliminary Final for the TAC Cup. Entry is free.
The Dandenong Stingrays are a founding member of the TAC Cup competition and in the 20 years of the competition have appeared in 17 finals series and have had 78 players drafted onto AFL club lists. Season 2010 saw all manner of records broken by the club and are well placed to once again appear deep into the 2011 finals.
Last Modified on 05/09/2011 19:53