By Brad Kingsbury
THE Dandenong Stingrays lost a close match with Calder Cannons at Princes Park on Saturday, winding up a disappointing season.
The four-point defeat told the story of the Stingrays’ year, which saw the Dandenong TAC Cup side miss the finals action from this weekend.
The Stingrays trailed by five points at the first change but rallied through the efforts of star on-baller Luke Potts and tall forward Russell Gabriel to take a four-point lead into the half-time break.
The third term belonged to Calder and the three-quarter time margin of 11 points should probably have been greater with the Cannons missing several shots at goal that would have put the issue beyond the Stingrays.
The final term was a real battle with both sides throwing themselves at the contest in desperation.
The Stingrays kicked six goals to four for the term but, again, the Cannons had the majority of the play and fell over the line to win.
Potts was best afield finishing with four goals, along with key forward Aaron Purves, while Paul Rogasch, Rick Harley and Scott Simpson led the tackle-count, dominating in the clinches.
Score: Calder Cannons 16.19.115 d Dandenong Stingrays 17.9.111. Stingrays: Goals: A. Purves, L. Potts 4, R. Ferraro, R. Gabriel 3, M. Clark, S. Simpson, J. McCarthy. Best: L. Potts, R. Gabriel, A. Goodingham, M. Clark, R. Ferraro, M. Dal Lago.
Cannons: Goals: M. Farmer 4, A. Kite, D. Daniher, B. Considine 2, D. Putt 2, J. Laidler, C. Tsardakis, A. Jolley, A. Arrowsmith. Best: M. Farmer, P. Robertson, S. McKernan, A. Jolley, J. Trengove, M. White.