After another week off to allow for the final state selection trials, the Dandenong Southern Stingrays combined well to run out comfortable 41 point winners against the consistently strong Calder Cannons at Coburg last Saturday in the Round 6 TAC Cup clash.
In completely unfamiliar conditions, constant rain and saturated underfoot, the Stingrays opened very well and had the first eight shots at goal. Goals on the run to Shane Savage and Billy Hayes, a snap from Chris Doria and a conversion from an Aaron Purves mark all resulted in 4 very valuable first term goals which set the scene for the remainder of the match. A late counter attack from the Cannons gave then some hope at the first change but it was the Stingrays well in control leading 4-6-30 to the Cannons 1-0-6 and the score indicated the Stingrays ascendancy.
The second quarter saw the Cannons play their best football for the game. Two early goals to the Cannons had the Stingrays on the back foot as they struggled to get the ball through half forward. The Stingrays had to dig deep to rally from deep in their back half and eventually managed to score a major off the boot of youngster Ryan Bastinac. Captain Ricky Ferraro was ideally suited to the conditions with his irrepressible in and under style and he led from the front. Backmen Tom Gillies and Dan Wise showed great poise and repeatedly led their opponents to the ball to give the Stingrays great rebound. Coach Graeme Yeats was very impressed with the 17 point ½ time lead and the efforts of his players in the cold, wet and miserable conditions and urged his players not to overpossess the football but to go long and direct into the Stingrays dangerous forwards.
The third quarter was dominated by the Stingrays as they piled on five goals to the Cannons solitary major. Ferraro, Scott Sienkiewicz, Bastinac, Riley Heddles and first gamer Madison Andrews were well on top through the midfield and Savage and Hayes controlled the Wings in a solid team performance. The three quarter time margin of 45 points in favour of the Stingrays had sealed the game and it was all a matter of playing out the game as both teams tired in the very testing conditions. The Stingrays rested key forward Aaron Purves who was playing his first game in 5 weeks since breaking his wrist and must surely force his way into Vic Metro consideration after his solid display to join Matt clark and Tom Scully in the team which takes on Vic Country next Sunday at the MCG. Coach Yeats commented after the game that it was fantastic to get a contribution from just about every player in the side. “Everyone played their role and did what was required of them and we hardly had a passenger all day.”
Next weekend the Stingrays host the Eastern Ranges on Saturday at 10.45am at Shepley Oval, Dandenong. Entry to all TAC Cup games is free so come down and see the premier underage competition in the country.
Last Modified on 18/07/2008 12:36