The Dandenong Southern Stingrays let their top 4 finals chances slide after losing against the Western Jets at Shepley Oval on Saturday in perfect spring like conditions in front of a huge crowd.
While the end margin of 17 points doesn’t seem that large, the game was anyone’s for the taking with the Stingrays holding a 2 point lead at the last break, as well as a far bit of momentum.
It was undoubtedly the best game in the TAC Cup for both sides this year, with the defensive work from both teams a highlight.
The scores at the end of the first break were locked at 22 apiece. It was a fierce encounter played in great spirit.
The second quarter saw the Jets take a slender lead, taking most of their chances in front of goal.
Goals were a premium that was only coming through hard work. There was intense pressure around the loose pill. The only way to get through the defenses came down to those willing to run the lines and making some match winning decision’s by foot, allowing some overlapping running to cut up the backline.
At the other end Narre Warren prospect Aaron Wilson clunked hard contested marks kicking setting up Joyce who kicked 2 for the day. A pair of courage’s goals from youngster Lachlan Williams and singles Lonie, Dale, Tomkins and Mullane kept the Stingrays in the game up until the last quarter with the difference only 2 points in the Stingrays favour at the final change.
In the end it was the Jets who were more measured and methodical when pressing forward to find the spare player, who kicked truly and broke the goal for goal scenario midway through the last term.
The defeat now has the Stingrays up for a hard-fought final match in the TAC Cup against the ever dangerous Geelong Falcons at Norm Smith Oval, Port Melbourne next Saturday who beat ladder leaders the Oakleigh Chargers by 1 point last week. A win will see the Stingrays hold fourth by percentage, a loss could see them slide to as low as seventh.
After the game Dandenong Stingrays Coach Craig Black was shattered saying, “The way the boys applied themselves in three quarters – their commitment and attack on the footy – was second-to-none and easily our best,” Black said.
“But I think – like I said to the boys after the game – it’s a tough competition and you’ve got to look forward to the challenges. Today we were challenged in the last quarter and it looked like we stopped- when the game was still ours.”
“It’s a game of millimeters at times, we were pressing inside 50 in the last 8 minutes to be 2 kicks ahead on the scoreboard…we faulted, they went forward and kicked 2 quick goals- and game over.” With September action now all but confirmed the Dandenong Southern Stingrays must win the remaining home and away game against the Geelong Falcons in find themselves playing in the knock out games within the first week of finals.
The next match starts at 11.00am as a curtain raiser to the VFL for the Port Melbourne versus the Richmond Tigers at Port Melbourne.
Last Modified on 18/08/2014 18:22