The Dandenong Southern Stingrays headed to Morwell Recreation Reserve to kick off their 2012 TAC Cup season against local rival the Gippsland Power for the Inaugural UV Truck and CMV Truck and Bus Cup. It turned into a nightmare event when the charged up and physically tougher and well drilled Gippsland Power led at every change to hand the Stingrays a very disappointing 40 point defeat.
With both teams close to full strength apart from AIS AFL players (Pongracic, Whitfield and Wright- Dandenong Stingrays) and Tim Membery (Gippsland Power) and the ground looking an absolute treat, the scene was set with both sides keen to see where their pre-season efforts had them placed. The Stingrays took the field kicking against a swirling 2-3 goal breeze. Both teams took their turn in winning the ball from stoppages and rebounding effectively from across half back. A virtually brand new back line in Jack Kerr, Tyle Williamson, Ryan Marks Logan and Harry Czarneki (All first gamers) and Robert Hill and Josh Westerman had their work cut out for them as Gippsland’s midfield continually pumped the ball and the forwards and implemented a full press up and every point scored made it near impossible for the Stingrays back to beat the zone. A positive for the quarter were the first two goals of the game came from great forward pressure from lively small forward Clayton McCartney, but with limited inside 50’s due to an amazing 14 minutes of pure dominance from Gippy who scored the next 7 goals and close out the first with a 33 point lead and the Stingrays looking at a very hard day at the office.
With eleven first gamers a brief chat from Coach Graeme Yeats at quarter time it seemed to settle the nerves and the second term was better for the Stingrays as they briefly matched the Power through the mid field with a goal to Taylor Garner. There was plenty of spark from the players but the leadership from the top ages was missing, apart from Nic Tuddenham and the very hard working Billy Rolfe. The half time margin saw the Stingrays trail by 42 points with too many players well below the standard. A good old fashion chat from Stingrays Coach in the long break from Yeats was all about delivery and kicking truly when you had the chance. With the heat hovering around 30 degrees plenty of players from both sides were starting to feel the effects.
The third term was a chance for the Stingrays to get some respectability on the scoreboard as the Powers high pressure, high intensity style started to take its toll. The ball seemed to rebound between the arcs at either end, yet the delivery by foot to the forwards was the deciding factor of the quarter for the Stingrays who won the quarter on the scoreboard mainly due to the poor conversion of the Power who kicked 7 minors. The Stingrays converted a few goals by pure hard work and great contested marking from Ryan Morrision and Taylor Garner who was moving a lot better as the game progressed. Billy Hartung kicked a nice running goal from outside 50, Garner converted truly after a strong Mark inside 50 and a great coast to coast goal added a second to Garner before the siren sounded players from both sides were cramping and the swirling wind seemed to be getting slightly stronger. The top age players started to get into the game a little more, with Matty Rennie, Josh Newman and Timmy McGenniss lifting their work-rate. Yeats was pleased at the group’s efforts and their seemed to be a belief that the momentum had slightly shifted to the Stingrays.
At the last break Yeats said the last quarter was about gaining some respect of the scoreboard and continuing to work on the little things. If they did, he said, there was a real opportunity to make the last quarter a nail bitter. After a few tough minutes of contested football the ball came inside fifty and very smart creative work from McCartney drew the player and allowed Ryan Morrison to kick the first goal of the term two metres out to cut the margin to 24 points, but that would be it for the scoreboard for the young Stingrays as Gippsland once again lifted the work-rate and kicked the next two goals to finish off with a workman like 40 point win.
As Yeats said after the game “You get opportunities to learn from every game but this one has shown us that not only we must play hard edged, hardnosed football for every minute we must convert all the hard work on the scoreboard with goals. We ran hard in the transition running and were pleased on how we defended but need to work on hitting targets al around the ground. It was a very physical game today from both sides but at the end of the day Gippsland used the ball a lot better than we did, and that becomes the challenge to the group in the following weeks. We have a deep list so we will continue to look for the right mix to help us to head in the right direction.”
Next Sunday, April 7th the Stingrays open their campaign at home taking on last year’s Premiers the Sandringham Dragons at Shepley Oval Dandenong, who are sitting on top of the ladder of the TAC Cup ladder with two wins.
The Stingrays game starts at 11.00am, Entry is free.
Last Modified on 02/04/2012 18:57