The Dandenong Southern Stingrays run of wins came to an abrupt stop when they met ladder leaders, the Murray Bushrangers last Saturday in the Round 17 TAC Cup clash at Wangaratta. The game pitted first vs second on the TAC Cup ladder but the gap between the two teams was huge as the Bushrangers controlled the game from start to finish to defeat the Stingrays by 38 points.
The Bushrangers showed the younger lighter Stingrays players how pressure football was played as they out tackled, out hustled, outran and easily outscored the Stingrays. The Bushrangers repeatedly covered first receiver then forced pressured disposals which were too often turned over and their skill level going forward on the counter attack was superb. The Stingrays only managed 1 goal in each of the first two quarters while the Bushrangers managed 5 goals 7 and missed a couple of others and should have been further in front.
The third term was the Stingrays best as they matched the Bushrangers goal for goal but could not close the gap on the scoreboard and still trailed by 23 points at the last change. Tom Scully was in fine form on the wing and his work rate and intensity were good lessons for a few of the Stingrays top age players who are out of form. On-ballers Riley Heddles, Ricky Ferraro, Madison Andrews and Matt Clark all battled hard against the odds and Aaron Purves was the only effective forward. Tom Gillies and Michael Hibberd had the unenviable job of controlling the Bushrangers gun forwards in Tom Rockliff who is leading the competition goal kicking and all Australian Jack Ziebell. Both Gillies and Hibberd tried hard but it was like stopping a tidal wave such was the mid field dominance of the Bushrangers.
The last term saw the Bushrangers extend their lead by kicking three goals to one and ran out 38 point winners and left the Stingrays searching for answers. The Bushrangers are 4 games clear on top of the ladder and are every bit deserving of the odds on flag favourites tag. The Stingrays have a couple of players to add to their squad but must lift its work rate to somewhere near Tom Scully’s if they are challenge in the finals.
Next weekend the Stingrays have a home game against the in form Sandringham Dragons on Sunday at 11.00am followed by another home game against the North Ballarat Rebels to close out the home and away season.
Last Modified on 25/08/2008 19:32