The Dandenong Southern Stingrays round three game was played at Simonds Stadium, Geelong. It turned into a nightmare event when the charged up and full of running Geelong Falcons flexed their muscle in the premiership quarter to hand the Stingrays a very disappointing 27 point defeat.
The Stingrays were without Tom Lamb and Daniel Capiron who were on AIS AFL academy duty, but the two inclusions were expected to match the efforts of the missing players. The game started well for the Stingrays with the ball penetrate Inside 50 numerous times for three goals through hard work from the midfield group led by Alex Harnett who had game high 29 possessions. The score line could have been a lot more damaging but poor shots on goal saw 6 points added to the Stingrays quarter time tally, which in the end allowed the Falcons back into the game. At the . time break the Stingrays lead by 18 points.
The second term was better for the Falcons as they got on top of the Stingrays in the mid field. The trend continued for the Stingrays with more entries inside 50’s than the Falcons, but the defensive efforts when the ball hit the deck allowed the Falcons to score five majors. The Stingrays kicked 2 goals through Jacob Weitering and Kurt Mutimer but a few costly errors and undisciplined acts cost the Stingrays dearly on the day. The half time margin of 5 points had the Stingrays in the game on the scoreboard, but they had many players well below the standard set last week and lacking spark and leadership.
The third term was a chance for the Stingrays to finish off their hard work, but as what happened in the three past quarters Geelong Falcons scored the first major. Strong work across the half back line by Mitch White, Sam Geurts and Dan Moloney set up numerous counter attack scoring options for the Stingrays, but penetrating deep inside 50 was again and issue with a return of 1 goal and 1 point for the quarter. The intensity had lifted and the Stingrays seemed to drop off from the challenge. Fitness seemed to be leaning towards the Falcons as the quarter ended with the margin at 22 points in favour of the falcons. It was a chance for the Stingrays to reset and challenge with the aid of a slight breeze in the last.
The final term was a chance for the Stingrays redeem themselves with lack of effort and hard work, but as what happened in the three two quarters prior accuracy was an issue when kicking for goal. Jack Lonie finally managed to send one straight through the middle after receiving a free kick for high contact. Hard running and good inside work from the entire midfield group saw another goal to Lonie and it looked like the Stingrays might pick it up and run away with it. The Falcons were able to steady with another major, but a quick reply after a magnificent pack mark by Aaron Wilson saw the margin still in reach. Three opportunities presented themselves to the Stingrays to close out the game but tight defensive work by the Falcons and pitiable delivery into the forward line and undisciplined play allowed the Falcons to take the game by 27 point.
Stingrays Coach Craig Black was disappointed of the output from the entire group, especially in the second half with Black saying, “We had plenty of the ball, probably more inside 50’s and scoring shots but fell short again. It is a mindset, I am unsure if we were fully prepared for today’s game against a team we all knew would come full of run and carry.”
He finished by saying “We had an opportunity to set up the game in the first quarter but really struggled putting goals on the board, we matched in the areas we wanted to match them but a few players were down today, leaving the work to others.”
Next weekend is the triple header for the country teams played at QEO in Bendigo where the Dandenong Stingrays take on the Bendigo Pioneers on Saturday 12th April at 10.00am.
Last Modified on 07/04/2014 18:09