The Dandenong Southern Stingrays suffered its biggest loss for the year when they went down to the Eastern Ranges by 10 goals in cold and blustery conditions at Box Hill City Oval in the Round 11 TAC Cup clash last weekend.
Still well short of their optimum line up, the Stingrays were further reduced when gun mid fielder Madison Andrews and running Wingman Luke Sheppard were both out of the game with injuries early into the 2nd quarter. With the rep players being rested prior to another two rounds of the Under 18 Nationals added to a 10 man injury list and another 6 players away on school duties, the Stingrays were once again very young and inexperienced at TAC Cup level.
The Ranges were within a couple of players of full strength and showed that they were a far better team than their recent record suggested. Luke McDonald was unstoppable at CHF for the Ranges and finished his good work with a game high 7 goals in a best afield performance. None of the Stingrays key defenders could halt McDonald’s dominance who was well supplied by a strong, hard working mid field.
The Stingrays were honest in their endeavours but were beaten in every quarter of the game and were blown away in the last when the Ranges kicked 9 goals as the Stingrays tired and started to take some easy options. Good players for the Stingrays were Levi Casboult up forward, Mitch Gent through the mid field, Luke Parker on ball and forward where he kicked 4 goals and James Hallahan who battled manfully across half back and on the Wing. Riley Heddles was his usual industrious self in only his second game for the year and youngster Nathan Allen looked lively at half forward.
Next Saturday, June 27th is another home game in the TAC Cup for the Stingrays against the Bendigo Pioneers at 12.00 noon. At a National Under 18 level the national carnival continues on June 27th with Vic Country vs NT and Vic Metro vs Qld at Casey fields before the grand finale at Etihad Stadium on July 1st. Vic Country will tackle the undefeated WA and Vic Metro will take on SA in the showcase of the next collection of AFL prospects. The final squads for these group of Under 18 Nationals games will be named on Tuesday.
Last Modified on 22/06/2009 09:22