The Dandenong Southern Stingrays continued on their winning way with a hard fought and controlling win over the Murray Bushrangers by 50 points, which was played at Shepley Oval, Dandenong on Saturday in sunny conditions.
The Stingrays won the toss and defended against the 1 goal win against a very physical Bushrangers team but dominated the opening parts of the term, without reward. It was the Bushrangers who put the first score on the board (point) before big Tex, Taylor Joyce, kicked the first Stingrays goal to steady the team.
It allowed the Stingrays to kick the next goal through Clayton McCartney who was becoming a handful for the opposition. The Bushrangers could have closed in on the lead but for wayward kicking. Just before the siren sounded, Clayton McCartney again stole the ball off the back of the pack and kicked a much needed goal. At the end of the first quarter the Stingrays were 10 points up.
Within a few minutes in the second quarter, Dale Gawley kicked the opening goal but Murray was able to answer within seconds. The term saw both sides applying plenty of pressure and foot skills were their deference between the two sides. Jack Lonie and Blake Mullane added some much needed speed through the middle and started to upset the Bushies backs. Clayton McCartney continued of some very good work from the back half from Nathan Foote and Kyle Gray and finished off with a classy goal. As the siren sounded the Stingrays had extended their lead to 32 points as well as restricted Murray to just one straight goal.
The third term started like the second with a goal in the first few moments, this time to a mark right on the line to Nathan Gardiner. A lapse in concentration, as well as Murray lifting their intent to win the loose ball, saw Murray kick the next two goals and challenged the Stingrays midfield. 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 next part of the quarter saw the ball stay inside the Stingrays front half with two more goals coming through live wire Clayton McCartney, who had 5 goals on the board. A turnover by foot lead to Murray kicking a much needed goal just before the siren sounded which saw Dandenong Stingrays increase their lead by 1 to 33 points.
Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats was calm at the break and with the coaching staff they really challenged individuals to play their roles and to forget about the scoreboard at this stage of the game and go out with one objective-individuals to beat their opponent. The scoreboard would take care of its self.
The game was Stingrays to lose with a handy lead they started the quarter slowly allowing Murray to win the centre clearances and drive forward. The back 6, Tyle Williams, Daylan Kempster and Kyle Gray were killing all the high balls whilst Nathan Foote, Zak Jones and Sam Crawford were terrific when the ball hit the deck to set up numerous options down field and denying Murray any goals for the quarter.
Matt Rennie returned from his two weeks with VFL side Frankston Dolphins to kick two very good goals taking his tally to 3 for the day, along with Nathan Gardiner who kicked another one as the siren was about to sound.
Graeme Yeats was in full praise of his young team and went on to say “I thought we worked hard for majority of the day and you can see we are slowly getting there.”
“As the game went on I felt we continued to build on last weeks effort...we had a few more changes this week and at this time of the year and over the next month or so we really get to see what future we have next year and the depth needed if players go down this year. “ I was happy with those guys who came in and played their roles, they showed a little...Clay was good with 5 goals, but more pleasing is his work off the ball, which is something we have been working with him on.”
Talent Manager Mark Wheeler was pleased with the result but again it was about nurturing those he need to come in and play games whilst others are out with injury or school football commitments. “We, like other Regions had a fair few out with injury and private school commitments, it’s great to give opportunities to others. It is pleasing for us as a club because it puts pressure on those out injured or other to retain their spots.”
Wheeler went on to say “To keep Murray to only 5 goals, 3 after half time, showed the back 6 had a strong play in the team’s performance today. All our forwards featured in today’s goal kickers....it also shows they are started to work a little more as a team, which we haven’t done to date.”
The Stingrays’ have a Bye next weekend due to Vic Country trial games on Mother’s Day at Visy Park, Carlton where around 10 Stingrays players will be pushing for selection.
The next game for the Dandenong’ Southern Stingrays is in two weeks time against the Bendigo Pioneers at Epsom Huntly Reserve, Bendigo.
Last Modified on 06/05/2013 19:50