The Dandenong Southern Stingrays have continued with their rollercoaster ride in the TAC Cup with a nail biting loss against the Western Jets by 3 points on Saturday, in wet and slippery conditions at Shepley Oval.
The Stingrays once again lost the toss and had to defend against the 2 goal swirly wind. A very pumped up Western Jets team after their 20 goal win last week dominated the opening parts of the term kicking the first two goals and completely dominating inside 50 entries before Stingrays Keegan Downie opened up the account for the home side at the twenty minute mark. It would also be the last time that either time would score for the quarter.
The young Stingrays started tackling with intent. They also lifted their work rate with some hard overlapping running they started to show signs but the siren beat them before they could add another goal. The Stingrays were 7 points down when siren sounded in what was to be a wet weather scrappy football day at Shepley Oval.
The second quarter was one to remember, not a positive one as the Stingrays were held goalless only adding 3 points, whilst the Jets extended their lead slightly to hold a 12 point buffer at half time. It was a tough scrappy affair, the Jets were dominating the stoppage clearances and putting the sword to the Rays but a lack of polish in finishing off which kept the Stingrays still in the hunt.
In his half-time address, Stingrays coach Craig Black once again had to lay down the law to the midfield group saying they must lift their work rate, being prepared to work both ways carrying the ball more and to lower their eyes when coming inside fifty with the forwards needing to work their way into front position and spread as the Jets will drop numbers behind the ball as they did in the first quarter. He also demanded players listen to instructions on how to move the ball and to adapt to wet weather football.
In the third term, it was a reverse of the previous quarter with the Stingrays getting the early jump this time from a deep entry inside the Stingrays Forward line allowing Blake Mullane to kick an easy goal as the ball drifted out the back.
The midfield had taken the challenge as they lifted their pressure on the ball carry making the Jets kick high and wide making it easier for the Stingrays backline through Mitch White and Jacob Weitering to rebound and send the ball inside the Stingrays 50, but many entries were shallow or wide making it tough for the forwards to score. The entire back 6 started working as a unit with the midfield working harder and longer between the arcs. Finally a strong mark and goal to Downie had the Stingrays within one straight kick with many players up and about. For the next 8 minutes the ball went end to end as both sides defenders were on top of their opponents. The rain started to fall again making it a very slippery affair with both sides finding it hard to keep their feet. In the final minutes of the quarter saw the ball stay inside the Jets fifty and moments before the siren sounded the Jets managed to break the shackles to kick a much needed goal. The Jets held a 9 point advantage but would need to defend well against the Shepley breeze.
Stingrays coach Craig Black was calm at the break and asked all players to have a real crack and not to leave anything in the tank. He said they hadn’t taken full advantage of the 24 inside entries by only adding 2 goals and 3 points, but momentum looked like it hard swung in their favour, only if everyone was prepared to do all the little things and work for each other.
The last quarter started as the previous quarter through a workman like goal to first game player Lachlan Williams who split the middle. Moments later, through smart play from Aaron Wilson, gave Jayden Tomkin’s goal 2 metres out as they grabbed the lead. To the Jets credit they came hard again and finally managed to steer one through the big sticks to once again wrestle back the lead.
The Stingrays took their turn and stuck to their guns to fight back strong as Jake Lovett started to show why he deserved his first game mopping up the hard ball and delivering deep to the forwards. Downie took a good grab and kicked another, making it three for the day. Moments later a free kick to Jayden Tomkins gave the home side an 11 point advantage, but no one had told the Jets it was out of reach and they pressured forward again to kick the next two goals and once again wrestle the lead of the Stingrays. In the dying moments a free kick was paid to the Stingrays 40 metres out but reactive play saw a quick call of play on by the umpire and the siren sounded with the Jets recorded their second win in a row, something the young Stingrays have yet to do this year. It was a disappointing loss but a stronger second half showing was a positive sign for the coaching staff, along with the introduction of 4 new 17 year old players in Mitch Cox, Bailey Rice, Jake Lovett and Lachlan Williams who all showed they will be better off for the experience as the season progresses.
The next game for the Stingrays sees them take on NSW at Shepley Oval, Dandenong on Saturday May 3rd. Starting time is 12.00pm and entry is free.
Last Modified on 28/04/2014 22:02