The Dandenong Southern Stingrays lost any chance of a top 4 finals chance after losing against the Geelong at North Port Oval, Port Melbourne on Saturday in perfect sunny conditions in front of another huge crowd.
The day was an arm wrestle for the first half with both sides taking it in turns kicking goals. At the end of the first term the Falcons held a slender 12 point lead after the Stingrays conceded a goal just before the siren sounded.
It was a great reflection on the closeness of TAC Cup competition with both sides’ defenses under pump, especially in the first half.
The Falcons backs took honours after half time after they set up numerous goals and were full of run right up to the final siren, something the young Stingrays were unable to do for sustainable periods.
The second quarter saw the Falcons extend their lead to 24 points, taking most of their chances in front of goal whilst the Stingrays continued to press forward with similar numbers inside 50, but entries were shallow and high allowing for Falcons to sling shot and hit their forwards more times than most not.
The start of the premiership quarter wasn’t the start Stingrays coach demanded at the long break with a goal onboard to the Falcons after the Stingrays forwards wasted the first scoring opportunity.
Again, the Stingrays matched them kicking the next goal through Aaron Wilson who kicked 4 majors for the day. The game was there for the taking. It would be for the team who was able to get through the defenses, it came down to those willing to run the lines and making some match winning decisions by foot. The Falcons did this with ease and continued to pepper the scoreboard giving them a 42 point buffer by the time the siren sounded.
For the Stingrays it was the same as last week with the opposition more measured and methodical when pressing forward to find the spare player, whilst the luckless Stingrays wasted many opportunities to claw back the margin. The differences between the two sides were the foot skills and the hard running.
The last quarter was more of the same with the Falcons continuing their quick running and playing on at all cost to eventually winning comfortable by 59 points.
The defeat now has the Stingrays up for a hard-fought elimination match in the first week of the TAC Cup finals against Sandringham Dragons at Visy Park on Sunday 31st August- Time to be confirmed once the last round of matches have been played.
After the game Dandenong Stingrays Region Talent Manager Mark Wheeler said, “It’s a tough competition you’ve got to except tough challenges….today the opposition was far too good in many areas and we were poor.”
“They ran harder and for longer periods, proving they are a genuine finals team. We had too many passengers, which you can’t carry against quality teams. ” Stingrays coach Craig Black was very positive after the game and moved quickly towards next week. He said, “We can’t change the past, today is forgotten and we focus on next week.”
“I’m really excited, it’s an elimination final- no second chance...If we lose the years over. I spoke with the top age boys after the game saying it’s up to them as next week might be the last time they ever get the chance to wear the Stingrays’ jumper…it’s another challenge to their character to see if they can bounce back.”
Last Modified on 27/08/2014 23:04