In what seems to be a weekly occurrence at Shepley Oval; it was a very windy and cool day when the fancied Dandenong Southern Stingrays tackled the lowly placed Calder Cannons in another must win game. A fast start proved to be the difference as the Stingrays comfortably won the Round 13 TAC Cup by 57 points clash last Saturday.
The Stingrays started very well and opened up an eight goal buffer with the use of the strong northerly. Three goals to gun forward Aaron Purves and two to Will Petropolous as part of a 9 goal opening blitz by the Stingrays, to the Cannons solitary goal meant the game was well in the Stingrays control as early as quarter time. Ricky Ferraro, Ryan Bastinac and Chris Doria were amongst the possessions through the midfield in the first term and Paul Rogasch in an unusual role as a Wingman was in good touch. Ruckman Ben Mitchell was on top in the Ruck providing plenty of opportunities for the small on-ballers.
The second quarter was the turn of the Cannons to use the wind but it was the Stingrays who won the term marginally by 2-3 to the Cannons 1-4. Plenty of defensive running by the Stingrays midfielders and some smart use of the ball going forward not only stopped the Cannons from scoring effectively but allowed the Stingrays to move the ball quickly on the counter attack. At half time the score was Stingrays 11-7-73 to the Cannons 2-5-17 and the game as a contest was as good as over. Rogasch, Ferraro, Shane Savage across half forward, Mitchell and Tom Gillies at full back were all well on top of their opponents. The Cannons coach David Flood read the riot act to his players whereas the Stingrays coach was full of praise for his charges over the efforts in the first half.
From the resulting burst from their coach the Cannons came out with real purpose and desperation to outscore the Stingrays into the breeze. Five goals to the Cannons to the Stingrays four narrowed the margin to 51 points but still well in the Stingrays control. Two clever goals to youngster Dylan Roberton to take his tally to three and a third to Petropolous from some neat crumbing were highlights in an otherwise lacklustre third term.
If the third term was lacking in special events, the last was a yawn fest with only 1 goal kicked by Stingrays pocket rocket Ricky Ferraro to take his match tally to three. The final margin of 57 points is probably a fair indicator of where the two teams are placed this year but the signs for the Cannons were not all that bad as they played a very young and inexperienced team and matched the Stingrays goal for goal in the second half.
Next weekend the Stingrays have a third home game in a row with a Saturday clash at 1.00pm against the Bendigo Pioneers who have found some form of late and will challenge the Stingrays if they do not come switched on.
Last Modified on 24/07/2008 11:05