The Dandenong Southern Stingrays sluggish and inaccurate first term proved to be the difference with the Stingrays going down to local rival the Gippsland Power by 20 points in Round 18 of the TAC Cup, but retained 2nd spot due to a percentage advantage of 0.2% over the Power.
The Stingrays made 3 changes to their side bringing in Tom Scully, Matt Shaw and Daniel Harrison which made the Stingrays a little closer to their best possible line up. Kicking with the aid of a 6-7 goal gale force wind, the Stingrays dominated early possession but got little reward for the multiple inside 50’s. The Gippsland Power mid field were very good in working hard back to assist their defenders and running the ball back into the wind. The stingrays ended up having a lot of long range shots and pressured snaps and as a result missed more often and not. On a rare foray forward the Power kicked a goal against the flow of play and as a result the Stingrays only lead by nineteen points but the scoreline of 3-7-25 to 1-0-6 was a telltale sign of wasted chances.
The second term was all the one way traffic as the Power kicked 7 unanswered goals with the wind. It was not the lack of scoring by the Stingrays but the number of howlers which resulted directly in goals to Gippsland that disappointed Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats. Poor disposal, poor decisions with the ball and very poor accountability especially close to goal had the Power kick 5 of their 7 goals from inside their goal square. The half time score of 3-8-26 to 8-4-52 had the Stingrays with their backs to the wall and struggling to get any semblance of system going.
The third term saw the Stingrays have another 10 shots on goal and get their noses in front late in the term. Once again it the defensive efforts of the Stingrays that let them down as the Power were able to kick 4 goals straight into the wind, all on the back of hustling and hard work by the Power mid fielders. The move of Dylan Roberton onto the Wing and the lift in work rate of Ryan Bastinac and Luke Parker were telling factors in the Stingrays getting back into the game. The Stingrays trailed by 5 points at the last break but were not out of the game.
The last term had the Stingrays quickly out of the blocks and with 2 goals, hit the front by 7 points and an unlikely victory seemed a chance. Two more shots at goal from close range could have had the Stingrays out to and interesting lead but both missed and it was the Power with composure and class that closed out the game with the last 5 goals straight of the game, another couple gifted too them by inept skill and woeful defending from a couple of experienced Stingrays defenders.
In the post match wrap, coach Yeats found it hard to find players who won their position for the entire game. About a dozen Stingrays players lowered their colors on the day and when you are up against quality opposition which Gippsland are you will struggle to win the game.
Next weekend is an away game for the Stingrays as they take on the Northern Knights at Visy Park, Carlton on Sunday 23rd August. The game starts at 11.00am and entry is free.
Last Modified on 31/08/2009 12:06