Despite a scare or two along the way, the Dandenong Southern Stingrays have put their 2017 season campaign back on track with a 20-point victory over the Greater Western Victorian Rebels on Saturday in Bendigo.
The Stingrays were determined to give the big Bendigo crowd a good show with their attacking, hard-nosed brand of football, after last week’s showing with the game’s final result was set up off the back of a truly emphatic first quarter from Dandenong, booting eight goals straight and leaving the Rebels 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 another 2 debutants pulling on the Dandenong Guernsey for the first time ever, the Rays’ continue to unearth talent from the Outer Southern East.
“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 17 year old small forward Jai Nanscawen, who slammed on four goals in a superb display of forward-line pressure.
Not to be outdone, Riley D’arcy continued on his goal kicking tally kicking three- taking him to 7 goals in three games.
Mason DeWit was again everywhere, giving the Stingrays some dash off the wings, while Mitch Cotter and Ali Zijia collected clearances and inside-50s like they were going out of fashion.
The Stingrays were truly electrifying in the first term, commanding the lion’s share of possession, and having significant impact with it. Dandenong were sharing the Ruck duties Tom Roberts, Bailey Williams and Tom Hogan all ensuring their teammates got first touch.
Ballarat were shell-shocked and scrambled to get the ball inside 50, but shallow entries and quick kicks allowed for easy pickings for the Stingrays defence .
Everyone with a Dandenong jumper was looking dangerous, with Riley D’arcy, Bailey Williams and Jai Nanscawen kicking two, along with singles to
Will Smith and “Tiny Tim- Tom Roberts” who round out the first-quarter goalkickers that left the Rebels with a 41-point deficit at quarter time, and a lot of work to do.
The Rebels 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 Rebels snaring two goals, which shifted the Stingrays back into drive.
The Stingrays kicked goals through Nanscawen and Williams (3 goals each before halftime), along with Jamie Plumridge and first gamer Bailey Schmidt to close out the quarter and extending the margin to 54 points at the main break.
The Stingrays knew that they couldn’t afford to get complacent and let the Rebels back into this match (one of the key messages at the long break), but as the skies darkened, the rain tumbling the Stingrays seemed to be looking for cover, whilst the Rebels came alive kicking six unanswered goals in the third quarter, cutting the margin to 26 points at three quarter time.
With the lights on, the rain pouring and the lightening threatening to have the game cancelled the biggest spray hadn’t fallen from the skies, or the crack of thunder it came from the coaching staff pleading to players to refocus and once again to lift their intensity and play team football.
This paved the way for 19 year old Tom Murphy, who showed no mercy for the Rebels backmen, booting two back to back goals in the space of 5 minutes to put the game beyond doubt.
Ballarat refused to give in and fought to the bitter end, but in the end, resistance was futile, and the final margin was 20 points.
The TAC Cup has a scheduled bye this weekend, with a dozen player’s trialling for Vic Country on Good Friday at IKON Park, Carlton.
The Stingrays next game will be at Frankston Park on Saturday 22nd April starting at 10.00am against Sandringham Dragons who are undefeated after 3 rounds.
Last Modified on 10/04/2017 09:19