By JARROD POTTER
TAC Cup – round 3
TAKING the sting out of the Dandenong Stingrays, the Geelong Falcons roused after half-time to take a 14.10 (94) to 9.13 (67) win at Simonds Stadium.
Squandering its chances in front of goal, Dandenong took the lead in the first term with a nine-shot-to-one advantage. Six behinds flew through the posts with the Stingrays unable to level out and kick straight under the crunch.
Without its AIS-AFL listed duo – captain Daniel Capiron and Tom Lamb – Dandenong struggled to hit the scoreboard cleanly and generate advantage across the field.
“I would’ve been happier if we kicked straight,” Dandenong coach Craig Black said.
“We could’ve realistically been six-goals-three with scoreboard pressure.
“We should’ve converted a bit better than three goals but they’re the chances we didn’t take.”
Dandenong’s drive abandoned it in the third quarter as Geelong surged.
A five-goal-to-one quarter – only broken up with a Dandenong goal from Jacob Weitering – left Geelong dictating terms. The Stingrays’ slender half-time lead was given to the Falcons and then some as their first-half initiative was abandoned.
Geelong brushed aside Dandenong late in the match to run out victors to the tune of a 27-point victory.
“Third quarter I still thought they were a bit better than us,” Black said.
“Last quarter we had a real crack of getting back into the game with a few goals to get within 11 points.
“We missed the goal and they went down the other end and kicked another… and kicked another right on the siren.”
Captain Jack Lonie led from the front with four goals to feature in the best afield while Alex Harnett played the best game coach Black had seen him play, and Aaron Wilson and Elliot Hunt toiled all match for the club.
“Alex Harnett was really good… and Aaron Wilson was good as were Jack Lonie and Elliot Hunt,” Black said.
“Part of our program – it’s always exciting to give them their first chance at this level.”
Dandenong slips to eighth on the TAC Cup ladder and now heads to Bendigo for an early start on Saturday at 10am.
“That’s the good thing about football,” Black said.
“Disappointing result but the boys have the opportunity to bounce back quickly – we go up Friday and hope to get a good outcome on the Saturday.”
TAC CUP SCOREBOARD
Geelong Falcons 1.0 5.4 10.8 14.10 (94)
Dandenong Stingrays 3.6 5.9 6.10 9.13 (67)
GEELONG Goals: A. Christensen 2, L. McCartney 2, T. Rieniets 2, D. Hodge 2, S. Dixon 2, L. Wagener, T. Miles, J. Maishman, B. Biggs. Best: Z. Cordy, D. Parish, N. Dixon, T. Miles, S. Dixon, J. Sheahan. DANDENONG Goals: J. Lonie 4, J. Bennett, A. Wilson, K. Mutimer, J. Weitering, J. Tomkins. Best: A. Harnett, A. Wilson, E. Hunt, M. White, J. Lonie, D. Moloney.
