The Dandenong Southern Stingrays rollercoaster season continued on Saturday when they played the Murray Bushrangers at Highgate Arena, Craigeburn and went down by 17 points against a far classier unit, whose foot skills and decision making was the difference on the day.
In cool and fine conditions, Murray played a speedy, aggressive and counter attacking style of play that regularly caught out the Stingrays with impressive skills and the release of runners into space. The Stingrays team fought back after each goal but couldn’t match Murray on the scoreboard in the first quarter with the Stingrays having plenty of opportunities to score, but poor decision making and unforced skill errors had the Stingrays with a solidarity goal and 1 point to the Bushranges 3 goals 4 points as the siren sounded. First gamer Troy Jacobson showed plenty of poise and 19 year old Jake Cameron in for his first game presented well and looked more comfortable as they game progressed and the nerves settled.
The second quarter started well for the Stingrays with Nathan Wright getting onto a loose ball and running into an open goal which was quickly followed by a second goal a minute later from lively forward Clayton McCartney from what most thought was an impossible angle. The momentum was with the Stingrays but against the play the Murray got an easy goal from a poor inside fifty entry which they caught the Stingrays on the hop. The Stingrays built again and Tim McGenniss snuck one through off the deck and the Stingrays thought they had Murray in their sights, but as good teams do they kicked the next 3 goals. As the siren sounded for the long break Murray had extended their led to 19 points, yet the Stingrays had more inside fifties and won more centre clearances but made it too easy for Murray to build from defence from poor inside 50 entries.
The third quarter the Stingrays had roughly the same inside 50 entries as the Bushranges, but the outcome was far different on the scoreboard. The Stingrays wasted opportunities and undisciplined frees cost them the opportunity to hit the scoreboard, or even worse deep forward targets who were starved of the ball, whilst Murray were far more efficient every time they went inside 50 and seemed to have runners behind the ball all day. The Stingrays were kept goalless and only managed one point for the quarter whilst Murray added 2 straight goals. At the siren it seemed it was all over and Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats dug deep to control himself at the break but many players were playing well below their levels, or that of a level required to compete in the TAC Cup. He challenged the group to win the quarter and work on winning the contested ball, take chances when attacking and believe the game was still there to be won.
The start of the last quarter had the Stingrays coaching staff up on their feet with 2 very quick goals to Matt Rennie and the margin closing to ten points, but some undisciplined acts crept back into the game and the Murray ran away with. The positive for the quarter were the Stingrays played much better football and actually one the only quarter of football for the day on the scoreboard. Ryan Marks Logan continued his good form from previous weeks and must be pushing for State selection. The Stingrays also welcomed back AIS player Nathan Wright for his first game for the season after a broken hand and his polish and foot speed set up many opportunities for the Stingrays as they pressed forward.Nathan Foote looked lively all day as he continued with his hard aggressive inside football acts.
Stingrays Coach Graeme Yeats was very pleased with the endeavor and the development of the younger players. He said “It’s the time of the year we get a real look at our list depth with Vic Country giving opportunity to plenty of our players. The Bushies had a few first game players today too. We had plenty of opportunities to hit the scoreboard but execution cost us at the end of the day. Ten minutes in the last I thought we were a good chance to steal the game, but a few skill errors cost us and Murray made us pay…we will be better for the experience on the bigger ground later on in the year with the finals drawing closer. We will continue with the basic skill fundamentals that we lacked today and look at promoting other personal over the next 6 weeks.”
Next weekend is another big test for the Stingrays with a home game at Shepley Oval, Dandenong on Saturday 2nd June at 2.00pm against the Calder Cannons in Round 8 of the TAC Cup. Entry is free.
Last Modified on 28/05/2012 13:58