By TEO PELLIZZERI
A STRING of tactical victories led Calder Cannons to a comfortable 42-point win against Dandenong Stingrays in TAC Cup at Highgate Reserve on Saturday.
For the second time this season the Cannons held their opposition goalless to half-time, on the way to winning 14.5 (89) to 6.11 (47).
CLICK HERE for our picture gallery of the big game.
Dandenong (5-3) slipped to fourth with the loss while Calder (4-4) consolidated its top eight standing by moving into sixth position.
With the start delayed for 30 minutes for ground maintenance it was Calder that exploded out of the blocks with five unanswered goals.
While the Stingrays did enjoy momentum at times in the remaining three quarters, Calder’s intelligence close to goal always kept the scoreboard a one-sided affair.
The Stingrays lifted after a quarter-time spray from coach Graeme Yeats, who named names as he pointed out instances of lax concentration and unaccountable defence.
But wresting territorial dominance from the Stingrays was a defining moment in the Cannons’ win, with Calder walking to the half-time break having given up only five points in spite of playing much of the second term in its back half.
The third term was five goals to three Calder’s way. Vic Metro defender Jake Lever posted himself at the top of the 50-metre arc and was noticeable trapping the ball in the Cannons’ forward line, either intercept marking or making a contest on a number of attempted clearing kicks.
The final quarter was a more open affair, with Dandenong finding their run and a number of players growing in confidence.
It was a tease for what the match could have been if the Stingrays had been on their game from the opening bounce, as Zak Jones, Will Hartung and Jack Lonie all finished strongly.
