By JARROD POTTER
TAC CUP – semi final
BOOKING a TAC Cup preliminary final clash in fine style, Dandenong stunned the crowd to record an emphatic 53-point win over Geelong.
From all lines the Stingrays fired to leave the Falcons in their wake. The defenders had complete control over the Falcons’ forwards as Kyle Grey, Mitch White and Dan Moloney racked up the touches and marks. While Geelong could get the ball inside-50, the Falcons could not keep it there as Dandenong mauled them from the goal-line and beyond.
Pushing through the midfield, Blake Mullane had the ball on a string as he threaded passes to the forward contingent.
The top accolades belonged to co-captain Jack Lonie though – the goal-sneak lived up to his title as he drilled five goals for the clash, including three in a match-changing third term.
The Stingrays swarmed to tackle in packs and force the Falcons widely and indirectly to the goals.
Dandenong held a 24-point half-time lead, which left the match open for either side to take hold, but to the Stingrays’ credit they wanted it more.
The party started in earnest as Lachlan Williams drilled Dandenong’s first of the last term to seal the game.
Four more would fly through including a 50-metre bomb from Bailey Dale to take the score to 15.8 (98) to Geelong 6.9 (45).
“Just really happy for the kids,” Stingrays coach Craig Black said.
“Just the way they applied themselves today, (Sunday) it’s two weeks in a row we’ve been able to stick to the plan that we wanted to and play really unselfish footy.”
A complete turnaround from Dandenong’s 59-point loss to the Falcons last month was put down to great form by Black.
“It obviously helps when two of their better players aren’t playing, but take that away and our guys have been really focused… playing themselves into great form at the right time and that helps,” Black said.
“When the kids have something they believe in… the ball keeps rolling and it carries on.”
Dandenong will now face Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup preliminary final on Saturday at VISY Park.
