The Dandenong Southern Stingrays had a hard fought and controlling win over Gippsland Power by 25 points, which was played at Shepley Oval Dandenong on Sunday again in wet and slippery conditions.
It was the return match where both clubs would be fighting for the Inaugural Car Megmart Cup, which the Stingrays stole in round 1 after being 49 points at one stage.
With light drizzle forecasted for the day it was always going to be about who had the better start, with honours going to the Power who kicked the opening two goals before Red bearded hairy cat “Taylor Joyce” and Jayden Tomkins kicked the next two goals in the first quarter and one to Travis Young.
The Stingrays wasted numerous opportunities when they got their hands on the ball and it took Stingrays Coach Craig Black to re-focus the group on being quicker out of the stoppages, also asking them to stop overusing the slippery pill at the quarter time break with the Stingrays holding a nervous 11 point lead.
As soon as the siren it started to rain which turned the second quarter into a slug fest. The ball stayed inside the Stingrays half for a good period of time before Lachie Batten finally converted a much needed goal, but Gippsland quickly replied with a major straight from the bounce.
First game player Jake Dipasquale got on the end of some very good inside mid work to kick his first goal in the TAC Cup which ignited the group and the defensive team of the Stingrays lifted all over the ground. Keegan Downie doing his best to be called up for the World Cup slid one through moments later. The ball then bounced between the arcs with both sides failing to penetrate the goals before “Red Beard Joyce” kicked truly after clunking a very impressive pack mark.
As the half time siren sounded the Dandenong Stingrays had slightly increased their lead to 29 points, but the Gods were about to impose themselves on the game dumping a huge load of rain.
As last week the game was Stingrays to lose with a slight lead they started the third quarter slowly as Gippsland went man on man across the ground making it a tough contested game. It paid dividends as they kicked the first two goals.
Keegan Downie scrapped and fought hard to kick an opportunist goal which was followed by another to Joyce after a strong demanding lead was honored by the class of Harnett’s courage and grunt work out of the stoppage but it was quickly answered from the Power who were just hanging in. Once again it became an arm wrestle with stoppage after stoppage before another first gamer Tom Stoffels
found himself in the right place to slot one through and as the quarter was about to end Lachlan Williams managed to find the big sticks.
As the siren sounded the Stingrays looked in control as the stronger bodies and cleaner skills were taking its toll on the younger Gippsland Power. The Stingrays went into the final quarter with a handy 35 point lead.
The last quarter was all one way traffic with the Power doing most of the attacking but were denied many goals mainly due to the work of the back six especially Daylan Kempster and Kyle Gray. Alex Harnett and Sam Geurts grunt work was extraordinary all day, but as the heavens opened again their inside work and ability to keep their feet kept the Stingrays in the game with goals coming through Liam Myatt and Bailey Dale, who had spider like hands all day.
A positive for the Power is they won the last quarter showing some real fight with the siren sounding the Stingrays making it 3 wins in row.
Stingrays Coach Craig Black took positives from the game “Our first half was the start we were after, making a point that Gippsland are a fast starting side. They really challenged us in the 3rd quarter and showed they wanted it more....but again even with 3 new players added into the team the strength of this group was the willingness to refocus share the workload, which pleased me more than the win.”
He went on to say “With 7 players in Vic Country and 3-4 very unlucky ones with injuries we have been tested, but stood tall. We (coaches) talk a lot to the playing group about opportunity and making sure if you get the chance to make sure you make the most of it.”
The Stingrays completed the challenge this year winning 2-0 and retain the Car Megamart Trophy until round 1 2015. Stingrays Talent Manager addressed the two groups and travelling family members and thanked Colin Watson Holden and Peter Caldwell from Car Megamart for their support of both Regions and looked forward to many years of bragging rights.
(attached photo Stingrays Vice-Captain Alex Harnett and Coach Craig Black)
Next week brings another huge challenge for the Stingrays as they take on the North Ballarat Rebels who are making huge inroads this year.
The game is to be played on Sunday 22nd June at Eureka Stadium in North Ballarat.
The game starts at 11.30am.Entry are free.
Last Modified on 16/06/2014 22:07