The Dandenong Southern Stingrays TAC Cup round 8 game was played in very wet conditions on Saturday at Highgate Reserve, Craigeburn that saw the Stingrays run of wins come to a screaming holt as they suffered a 42 point defeat against arch rivals the Calder Cannons.
The first half saw the Cannons completely dominate the Stingrays producing their best display of football this year. They used the ball much better going forward by measuring kicks and hitting free targets and gaining numerous scoring shots- 5 straight goals by quarter time. The lack of height and intent from the Stingrays, along with the stronger Cannons bodies across the ground lead to the Stingrays players making numerous unforced errors and poor decision and the game over by the end of the first quarter. The Stingrays only managing 2 behinds to be 28 points down.
The second quarter was similar to the first with the Cannons kicking two more goals making it 7 straight by half time whilst the Stingrays were kept goalless with a disappointing 5 points from relevant equal inside 50 entries. Coach Graeme Yeats asked the players to lift in areas that didn’t require talent, the willingness to work to a contest, tackle and pressuring the opposition and finally creating a contest when the ball was in a 50/50 or 60/40 situation and more importantly to keep their feet.
The start of the third term was a little better for the Stingrays as the team used the ball better going forward, worked harder defensively through the middle and control Cannons for periods of the quarter. Strong work across the half back line by Zak Jones and Nathan Foote and driving pressure from Harmes and Bastinac produced a lot of rebound and attacking opportunities for the Stingrays who managed to kick the first two goals but Calder again lifted and kicked 5 more goals before the siren sounded. The efforts of first game players Chris Johnston and Aaron Pawel were one of the few highlights for the day, with Chris adding his name to the goal kickers after a very strong mark.
The final term was a chance for the Stingrays to finish off their hard work in the third, but giving the opposition that much of a head start never really had them in the game after half time. The positive for the Stingrays was the way they attacked the second half and willingness to work themselves back into the game after the first half blow out kicking 6 goals 5 points after half time, but they allowed too many Cannon goals (7 goals 5 points after half time) to be any real chance.
Region Talent Manager Mark Wheeler said many boys would need to look back on today’s effort and preparation. He went on to say “Graeme speaks to the boys all the time about the need to focus and prepare well…you only need to be slightly off and the opposition will make you pay, as Calder did today.”
“It was always going to be a real slug fest with the amount of rain we had over night…I am not sure if the delay caused part of our inability to compete, but Calder defiantly wanted it more than we did.”
He also added “We had a few highlights in two first game players in Johnston and Pawel who came with the right attitude and output… the other positive were the boys who played in Northern Territory last week, I thought they all did really well but you could see they slightly tired near the end of the game.”
Next weekend the Stingrays have a Bye for the AFL NAB U18 National Championships. The Stingrays may have between 4-6 players to suit up for Vic Country who take on Tasmania on Sunday 9th June at 12.00pm at Visy Park, Carlton.
The next game for the Dandenong’ Southern Stingrays is against the Oakleigh Chargers at Warrawee Park, Oakleigh on Saturday, 15th June.
The game starts at 2.00pm.Entry free.
Last Modified on 05/06/2013 17:17