The Dandenong Southern Stingrays have bounced back to record an 11 point win against the Western Jets, resulting in 2 wins-2 losses to date and keeping them in touch with the top 8.
The Stingrays lost the toss and defended against the 3 goal win against a very physical Jets team but dominated the opening parts of the term, without reward. It was the Jets who put the first major through before Nathan Gardiner kicked his first of (7) goals to steady the team.
The Jets kicked the next two goals and could have extended their lead but for wayward kicking. Just before the siren sounded, Alex Harnett stole the ball off the wing driving forward with a few bounces and kicked a much needed goal. At the end of the first quarter the Stingrays were 9 points down.
Within a few minutes in the second quarter, first game player Taylor ‘Tex’ Joyce kicked the opening goal then each team went goal for goal, with Gardiner kicking another two. The term saw both sides applying plenty of pressure and some big ‘fair’ hits. Jack Lonie added some much needed speed through the middle and started to upset the Jets backs with his aerial ability. He finished off with a classy goal. As the siren sounded the Rays had slightly closed the gap to 4 points, but the Jets had matched them against the wind and looked like they might run away with it.
In his half-time address, Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats requested as a midfield group they must lift their work rate, being prepared to work both ways carrying the ball more and to lower their eyes when coming inside fifty with the forwards needed to separate as the Jets had dropped numbers back.
In the third term, through precise kicking- 5 straight goals, the Stingrays took the lead. It was the best quarter for both sides on the day. The Stingrays backline lifted and started working as a unit with the midfield working between the arcs and offering numerous avenues to rebound the ball deep inside 50. The last 8 minutes of the quarter saw the ball stay inside the Jets fifty but as in the first, poor kicking cost them. The last quarter the Stingrays had the wind, but both sides had kicked goals against it so it was anyone’s game.
Yeats was calm at the break and with the coaching staff who balanced the side to give it a real crack.
He asked the group to be a little bit more team oriented instead of playing an individual game. ....we have the wind, the personnel and the stage is set for individuals to deliver.
The game was Stingrays to lose, with a handy lead and the aid of a strong breeze. o the Jets credit they came hard at us and with the 1st 2 goals hit the lead, but The Stingrays stuck to their guns and fought back strong.. Gardiner took a few big grabs and kicked two for the quarter, Lonie added the X factor in the forward line and popped up with another one and Jack Soroczynski kicked a nice goal to put the game out of reach for the Jets, who never gave up.
Yeats went on to say “I thought it was one of the better wins I have been involved in as the group wanted it so much.
“Winning here, Williamstown, in these conditions is a great outcome for this group. The Jets are a very good team and if they had kicked a little straighter the day may have had a different outcome for us.”
“As the game went on I felt we started to gel a little more...traditionally we have always been a slow starter, and today some of the things the group have been working hard on the training track starting to shown on the field.”
Talent Manager Mark Wheeler was pleased with the new debutants “ We had six 17 years playing today- 3 for their first game, along with other first game player in 18 year old Jake Gains. I think as the game went on they got a lot better, and we as a group will be better off for blooding them.”
“At this time of the year, all Regions get to play more players and we all believe we have good depth. It’s great to give as many as you can the opportunity to play, without upsetting the balance of the team and what the coaching staff are working towards.”
“We had one player down who got injured at the start of the second quarter, so with limited rotations the boys had to work a bit harder for each other, which they did.”
“To have 65 inside 50’s and to keep them to only 12 goals showed the back 6 had a strong play In the team’s performance today, along with 7 Individual goal kickers with a mix of mids and forwards shows the team is blanced”
The Stingrays’ next game is their first home game for the season against the Murray Bushrangers. The game is being played at Shepley Oval, Dandenong starting at 2.00pm.Entry is free.
Last Modified on 29/04/2013 08:43