RUST was present in Dandenong’s first TAC Cup pre-season hit out as the Stingrays were smashed by the Sandringham Dragons at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
In the roasting hot conditions at Sandringham, the Stingrays were downed comprehensively by the Dragons, with Dandenong region manager Mark Wheeler saying the positives were found at ground level, not on the scoreboard.
“It was definitely one-way traffic after half time,” Wheeler said.
“That was their second hit out too and they’re a little bit more advanced than us – we thought we’d be about five-six goals down, but a little bit disappointing in the second half.”
The coaching staff was extremely impressed with Zak Jones – brother of former Stingray and current Melbourne best and fairest winner Nathan.
Others to stand out were Berwick pair Jake Gains – who pitched in as a back-up ruckman to great effect – and Joseph West, Blake Mullane and Rourke Fisher – who was taken from the field after being knocked out in a contest.
Josh Newman, one of the Stingrays 19-year-old players, was taken from the field after copping a knock to the face.
Dandenong’s next pre-season challenge will be against the Gippsland Power at Pakenham’s Toomuc Reserve on Sunday 17 March.
“Play Gippsland in two weeks’ time at Pakenham, will be a fair hit out since we’ve both been beaten by the same margins by Sandringham,” Wheeler said.
“We’re probably at the same point with our programs, especially with Gippy losing their pre-season camp as well (to a fire on Mount Feathertop forcing their evacuation).”
