Report by Mitch Brown
Despite a scare or two along the way, the Dandenong Southern Stingrays have returned to the winners list, after dropping the past two games with a 32-point victory over the Bendigo Pioneers on Sunday.
The Stingrays were determined to get their season back on track, showing their depth with 15 outs from the previous week. Their attacking, hard-nosed brand of football returned, eventually running out the match comfortable winners, 9.23 (77) to 6.9 (45).
The game was the last one of the round being played in Echuca, giving the Stingrays a taste of what other Country Regional TAC Cup sides have to endure on a weekly bases, having a bus trip either way and staying in a strange hotel for the first time.
The game’s final result was set up off the back of a tough first quarter from Dandenong keeping the Pioneers scoreless, even though the stats would probably show the Pioneers had more of it.
“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.
“It was a huge test, a dozen or so ins with an overnight stay In Echuca and played in really slippery conditions after a week of rain up here.”
With 27 debutants pulling on the Dandenong guernsey for the first time ever in 2016, the Rays’ roster has been a bit of a revolving door this season, making their team’s unity even more impressive.
“We’re continue to be happy with our 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.”
This week it was an even Dandenong side was full of individual stand-outs, but none more so than Charlie Martello who kicked the first 3 goals of the game, racked up 11 tackles and marked the ball overhead like it was a perfectly dry day and Aaron Darling whose form is returning to his ever dangerous bull in a gate style, after an injury interrupted pre-season.
Nathan Scagliarini was again everywhere, giving the Stingrays some dash from the middle with his 8 clearance and 9 tackles, while Danny Allsop drifted into the game and once again become the Pioneers pest in the forward line finished with 3 goals.
Special praise, however, must be heaped upon debutant Tom Hogan, who, despite only turning 17 the day before, gave a master-class in playing your first game: dominate in the ruck, then using his mobility and endurance around the ground. He was supported well with second game 203cm big man Tom Roberts who looked more comfortable as a forward.
The Rays were truly hungry for the football, keeping it simple as they moved the ball quickly inside 50 giving the forwards first use. If it wasn’t for wayward kicking the margin at quarter time would have been much higher, with the Stingrays leading 2.6.18 to 0.0.0
Everyone with a Dandenong jumper was looking dangerous with Charlie Martello kicking the first goal within 50 seconds, then Danny Allsop, Chad Harris, Tom Roberts kicking goals joining the parade of goalkickers.
Bendigo did manage to claw back late in the second term, finding more of the ball, plugging gaps around the ground, getting in front and maintaining more efficient disposal.
If it wasn’t for the brilliant defensive work from Jack Doman, and the driving rebound run and carry from Bailey Morrish the margin of 31 points at the main break may have been closer.
The Stingrays knew that they couldn’t afford to get complacent and let the Pioneers back into this match, but that’s what happened.
It was a new look Pioneers group who took the field in the second half, moving the ball deep and quickly. They were all over the Rays in the middle and kicked the first two goals, cutting the margin back to 17 points.
Just like the fog drifting in and out, the Stingrays awoke from the slumber at the 20 minute mark as Danny Allsop swopped on the loose ball with a terrific running goal. Moments later a set shot on the siren to Kyle Beveridge but it clipped the woodwork, which was the theme of the day for the Rays.
The Pioneers won the quarter cutting the margin to 27 points.
The start of the last, after a quick clip by the Stingrays coaching staff at the final break saw the hardnosed football return with Josh Bateman finishing off some handy work from a coast to coast goal.
First gamer Chad Harris was growing in confidence becoming a very dangerous option forward kicking his second goal moments later to extend the margin once again back past 5 goals.
Bendigo refused to give in and fought to the bitter end, but in the end, resistance was futile, and the final margin was 32 points – enough to catapult the Stingrays back into second on the TAC Cup ladder, going into this weekend bye.
Dandenong next get the opportunity to test themselves against the ever Dangerous Gippsland Power in 2 weeks time at Shepley Oval.
Last Modified on 07/06/2016 18:45