The Dandenong Southern Stingrays recorded their first win for 2014 in their first game in the TAC Cup , beating the Gippsland Power by 1 point on Saturday 29th March in Morwell, after a very dominate display in the first quarter by Gippsland Power.
With bragging rights and a brand new Trophy on offer “ The Colin Watson/Car Megamart Perpetual Cup” both clubs were keen to impress their related Sponsors, with Gippsland flexing their muscles in the first 40 minutes and looking like adding more silverware to their collection, as it was one way traffic on the scoreboard.
The Stingrays team were completely outplayed by a very well drilled and discipline team in the Power who were dominating leading by 22 points at the first break and more impressively keeping the Stingrays goalless.
The Stingrays had plenty of the play and were dominating the inside 50 entries but could only manage 2 points with many other too shallow allowing for easy rebounding, a trend that last until the middle of the 2nd quarter where they finally broke the drought and started clawing back the 47 point deficient.
At the start of the second quarter the trend of dominance and wayward kicking continued for the first part of the quarter with the Power lead growing before 2 goals to AFL AIS recipient Tom Lamb, who went onto kick 6 for the game, and three more to the running midfield brigade.
The Stingrays players once settled took the game on more, started lowering their eyes when entering inside 50 and became more accountable all over the ground, especially when the ball was in dispute.
By the time the half time sounded, the Stingrays had matched the Power on the scoreboard with 5 goals apiece, but both sides missing numerous opportunities to add more.
In his half-time address new Stingrays coach Craig Black asked his team to lift their work rate after their poor first half on the scoreboard and pleaded for the forwards to work harder with multiple leads. He also directed the mids to continue look deeper when entering inside 50. He stressed everyone needed to defend their area better to stop the free flowing running on the rebound. His final advice was when you had a chance to convert to nail it as there was plenty of hard work being done in the back half going without reward.
In the third term, through better conversion, the Stingrays managed to kick the first three goals through brilliant work from the midfield group lead by Blake Mullane and Alex Harnett, whilst Tom Lamb was putting on an aerial show in the forward line kicking 3 goals for the quarter. Gippsland managed to kick a goal through a turnover making the Stingrays pay dearly, but once again the young Stingrays responded and added 2 more goals to be 1 point down by the time the siren sounded.
“The score line is not always a true reflection of the state of play and at . time, most of the stats would most likely been in our favour, “Black said.
The last quarter saw the best from both teams with overlap running as the ball was being played at a frantic pace between arc to arc. The Stingrays backline were standing tall when it counted continually driving it back inside 50, which was lead by Jacob Weitering, Kieran Collins and Sam Geurts- all first game players for the club.
On the day the Stingrays took most of the chances in front of goal with the Power forwards letting down their side with wayward shots, Gippsland kicked 2 goals 10 points in the second half, whilst the Stingrays managed 7 goals 4 points.
With both sides out on their feet and the ball bobbling around Gippsland end the siren sounded to Give the Stingrays a memorable 1 point win.
“I think there were a couple of strong positives in today’s game- we’re really raped with our underage players and a few of our top age players who worked themselves into the game when we challenged them. To be 47 points down to never give up chasing, tackling and gut running on a very hot and humid day was outstanding.” Said Stingrays Coach Craig Black
He went on to say “We defiantly were beaten by a better team in the first half, but the challenge was there for the boys, I couldn’t be happier.....not about the scoreline, but more about the effort and mindset of the 24 players to fight their way back into the game..., then to fight off the second wave of challenge the Gippy dished up.”
“It’s early in the season, but that was the best display of round two football, first games for both sides, I have witnessed. It was hard, full of run and played in best spirit with the umpires allowing the game to flow.” He finished off with.
In receiving the Car Megamart Perpetual Trophy Dandenong Southern Stingrays Talent Manager Mark Wheeler thanked Peter Caldwell and the Megamart team for the support given to the club with the Car and much needed financial support to allow the club to purchase the away strip.
Wheeler said, “Peter and Car Megamart got to witness TAC Cup Football at its best today. It was fast, tough and no compromises.”
He finished by saying, “ With 10 players playing their first game today, 3 more only playing their second, we think we have recruited well and done the hard yards in the off season. This is the best underage football in the Region and Gippsland would have similar numbers playing their first game, so it’s a true testament to the local competitions that they too are developing these young men whilst they are waiting for their opportunities at TAC Cup level.
Next week the Dandenong Southern Stingrays hit the road once again and head off to Skilled stadium on Saturday 5th April to take on the Geelong Falcons at 2.00pm.
Entry is free, with live updates through the Stingrays Twitter Account
Last Modified on 30/03/2014 11:14