The Dandenong Southern Stingrays finally opened up the game in the last quarter against the North Ballarat Rebels in the Round 15 TAC Cup last Saturday to record a 48 point victory, making it four in a row for the Stingrays. The win allows the Stingrays to move into 3rd place on the TAC Cup ladder after a favorable round of losses.
In good old wintery conditions that Ballarat is famous for, both sides reluctantly headed from the warmth of the player change rooms to dig in for the long hard battle.
The first quarter saw the Dandenong Stingrays defended against the slight breeze that seemed to be favoring the Ararat end of Eureka Stadium. The wind was also swirling pushing play towards the far side of the ground, away from the grandstand.
The game was scrappy with both sides throwing themselves at the loose ball that was bouncing between the arcs with either side being able to penetrate others defences for the first 20 minutes of the game. After numerous around the ground stoppages the Stingrays broke the stalemate with a goal through Dale Gawley, which ended up being the only major for the quarter.
The cold wet weather was set in and at the break Stingrays Coach Graeme Yeats asked his players to forget about, it was something no one could control. He also told them to focus on the transition of play as the backs were completely on top, but entries into the fifty were shallow or to predictable allowing for easy rebounds that were getting nullified through the midfield.
The second quarter was another scrappy affair but goals came through Gawley after another strong contested mark. It was quickly followed up by a nice roving goal to Brady Egan. It wasn’t a day for either team’s big men but the Stingrays Rucks and mids were working overtime to get first possession and trying to exploit the Rebels around the ground. The wet slippery conditions had the ball on the deck for the majority of the day, but there were passages of play that saw the ball move coast to coast without reward for both sides.
The Stingrays defensive team held Ballarat goalless for the first half only conceding 3 points as well as setting up opportunities on the rebound. When the siren sounded for the long break the Stingrays went in with a 13 point lead with many looking for the warmth of the rooms.
The start of the third and Ballarat were able to get the first goal of the quarter straight from the middle with the ball clearing the pack and dribbling through. Ballarat had another opportunity after back to back free’s that brought them into range but a wayward kick resulted in a point. This seemed to unite the Stingrays team who kicked the next three goals through Nathan Gardiner, the always dangerous Jack Lonie and first game 16 year old player Lachlan Batten. The siren sounded and the rain tumbled with the Stingrays extended their lead to 31 points.
The last quarter couldn’t come quick enough for many as the temperature hovered at the 8 degree mark and the rain turning to sleet. Ballarat was kept scoreless in the last whilst the Stingrays added goals through Nathan Gardiner and Jack Lonie to record a 48 point win.
Stingray’s defensive coach Wayne Siekman thought it was a great day for the team and club. To make a trip away from home in these conditions which was also a real danger game against an opposition who isn’t playing for ladder position, as they usually stay in it for longer, which they did.
“We thought it was one of our best team performances for the year, we were harder for longer and wanted it more, said Siekman.”
He went onto say “I thought our backs were near faultless today, defending the area and not allowing space or conceding a mark inside 50 with our blokes taking 8 for the game. We only conceded 1 goal for the game in very tuff and trying conditions, so mentally the group must be praised for it.”
Dandenong Southern Stingrays Talent Manager Mark Wheeler was also in praise of the entire team’s commitment and ability to stay focused to the end.
“It was one of the worst days for football...the weather took away the elite talent by foot and any advantage that could have been gained in the air…it was a time warp back to the late 90’s at Waverly Park….the day was won on pure want to win and scrapping for every possession at every contest.”
This weekend is a bye for the AFL Victoria TAC Cup with the next game for the Dandenong Southern Stingrays being played on Saturday 17th August where the Stingrays host the Gippsland Power.
The game starts at 1.30pm at Shepley Oval, Dandenong and entry is free.
Last Modified on 07/08/2013 13:52