Report by Mitch Brown
Despite a scare or two along the way, the Dandenong Southern Stingrays have continued their perfect start to the 2016 season with a 61-point victory over the Bendigo Pioneers on Saturday.
Back at the home turf of Shepley Oval for the first time this year, the Stingrays were determined to give the home crowd a good show with their attacking, hard-nosed brand of football, eventually running out the match comfortable winners, 22.12 (144) to 12.11 (83).
The game’s final result was set up off the back of a truly emphatic first quarter from Dandenong, booting nine goals and leaving the Pioneers scratching their heads, searching for answers.
“We were on to the boys about starting well, and that leads into your game, and we feel like today it really did,” said coach Craig Black post-match.
“I wish we could start like that every week, it’d be handy.”
With as many as 20 debutants pulling on the Dandenong guernsey for the first time ever, the Rays’ roster has been a bit of a revolving door this season, making their team’s unity even more impressive.
“We’re really happy as a program to give new players opportunity, and it can be quite exciting.
“We bring in [debutants], knowing they can have an impact, and we expect our other leaders to help them out too.”
The dominant Dandenong side was full of individual stand-outs, but none more so than small forward Danny Allsop, who slammed on five goals in a superb display of forward-line pressure. Not to be outdone, partner-in-crime Sam Fowler also gave the Bendigo backline headaches, kicking four of his own to bring his season tally to 11 goals from 3 matches.
Mason DeWit was again everywhere, giving the Stingrays some dash off the wings, while Lachlan Gill-Renouf collected clearances and inside-50s like they were going out of fashion.
Special praise, however, must be heaped upon debutant Tom De Koning, who, despite being only 16, gave a master-class in playing your first game: dominate in the ruck, then swing forward and boot three goals.
The Rays were truly electrifying in the first term, commanding the lion’s share of possession, and having significant impact with it. Dandenong were devastating in the ruck, with Tom De Koning, Tom Roberts and Dylan Atkins all
ensuring their teammates got first touch. Bendigo were shell-shocked and scrambled to even hold onto the ball.
Everyone with a Dandenong jumper was looking dangerous, with Charlie Martello, Danny Allsop, Kyle Beveridge, Aaron Darling, Matt LaFontaine, Tom De Koning, Jack Doman and Sam Fowler all joining the parade of first-quarter goalkickers that left the Pioneers with a 44-point deficit at quarter time, and a lot of work to do.
Bendigo did manage to claw back in the second term, finding more of the ball, plugging gaps around the ground, getting in front and maintaining more efficient disposal. This had immediate impact, with the Pioneers snaring five goals to two in the second term, cutting the margin to 24 points at the main break.
The Stingrays knew that they couldn’t afford to get complacent and let the Pioneers back into this match, but as defensive leaders Liam McKay (7 rebound-50s), Thomas Glen (6 tackles) and Callum White (19 disposals) tightened up on the Bendigo forwards, the ever-dangerous Dandenong small forwards broke the game wide open.
Sam Fowler unleashed a brilliant inside-out checkside, followed by a terrific running goal from Jack Doman to give the Stingrays a bit more breathing room.
This paved the way for Danny Allsop, who showed no mercy for the Pioneer backmen, booting three goals in the space of 10 minutes to put the game beyond doubt with a 51-point margin at three quarter time.
Bendigo refused to give in and fought to the bitter end, but in the end, resistance was futile, and the final margin was a whopping 61 points – enough to catapult the Stingrays to the top of the TAC Cup ladder, going into Round 4.
Dandenong next get the opportunity to test themselves against the NSW/ACT Rams in Frankston on Saturday, April 23 at 11am, as a curtain-raiser to the VFL clash between Frankston and Richmond at 2pm.
Last Modified on 18/04/2016 21:43