The Dandenong Southern Stingrays continued on their winning but were challenged in the second half and were lucky to walk away with a 17 point win against the Bendigo Pioneers, which was played in sunny conditions at Epsom Huntly Reserve, Bendigo on Saturday.
The Stingrays started slow allowing the Pioneers to put the first scoring shots on the board before big a classy roving goal to Jack Lonie. This seemed to spark the Pioneers who completely dominated play for the next and kick the next two goals.
This would be Bendigo last inside 50 entry for the quarter as the Stingrays took their term dominating the play, but wasted opportunities numerous scoring shots when they went inside 50. Finally a goal came through Matt Rennie after a strong contested mark and then a minute later the ball came straight out of the centre and through some hard work at the contest by Rennie Billy Hartung pounced on the loose ball and slotted the first of his three goals.
Just before the siren sounded, Clayton McCartney kicked a goal assisted by Hartung who was carving up the opposition and loving the space. At the end of the first quarter the Stingrays were 21 points up.
Bendigo dominated the centre, 7 breaks to 1 in the first but the Stingrays controlled the contested and non contested ball and the mids were running the lines to give the forwards opportunities to pepper the goals.
The second term started like the end of the first with the Stingrays dominating play. The first goal came through Clayton McCartney assisted by Rennie, and then Lonie swooped on the loose ball a minute later. A lapse in concentration, as well as Bendigo lifting their intent to win the loose ball, saw Bendigo have a few shots on goal but strong work from the Stingrays backs and mids only allowed 2 points from the 7 scoring opportunities.
The next 10 minutes of the play saw the ball bounce from arc to arc with both sides throwing themselves at the loose ball, closing down space and making it hard for clean entries. As the siren sounded for the big break the Dandenong Stingrays had increased their lead to 35 points and looked like they were breaking down the Pioneers.
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 Bendigo any goals for the quarter.
Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats spoke about individuals needing to make space for forwards to work into, others to not to get sucked into the contest as Bendigo were
dropping players off the contest and kicking over the defences and there was a lot of hard work done in the middle and back half but the work was being let down with shots on goal.
The game was Stingrays to lose with a handy lead they started the third quarter with a bang, again by the class of Hartung who started the play in the back half and kicked the goal. A poor set up at a defensive stoppage saw Bendigo peg a much needed goal back before a coast to coast goal to Brady Egan who kicked truly from what most thought was an impossible angle. Bendigo again went forward and split the middle and went into the last quarter full of bite.
Bendigo worked harder in the last quarter and went inside 50 ten times for 3 goals and again completely dominated the ball from stoppages and keep the Stingrays goalless for the quarter, who had plenty of chances but woeful kicking and Bendigo’s pressure had the coaching staff a little upset as the siren sounded.
Stingrays Coach Graeme Yeats was happy to walk away with the win. He went onto say “This is the second time we have travelled to Bendigo this year, the Pioneers are a stronger side at home and defiantly challenge other TAC Cup sides up here.
“Our second half wasn’t that flash, I’m not sure if we switched off or ran out of steam...we will access that in the next few days.”
Stingrays Talent Manager said “We brought in three players today, one for his first game for the year in Hartung who will be better for the touch. Today was a good lesson for the boys in never to give your opposition a sniff....this competition is so close that being slightly off can really hurt you and they defiantly had a real crack in that last quarter.”
He went on to say “Next week but have a few players out who have Vic Country duties meaning the Match Committee will have to bring in players who are capable to play at this level....some may get their first opportunity others it may be close to their last chance if that can’t cement their spot into the team.”
The next game for the Dandenong’ Southern Stingrays is against the North Ballarat Rebels this Saturday, 25th May at Shepley Oval, Dandenong.
Last Modified on 21/05/2013 07:23