By Jarrod Potter
TAC CUP – ROUND 12
THE Highgate Reserve typhoon tried to play its old tricks on Dandenong, but the elusive Stingrays held on to claim win number eight.The howling breeze flew straight up the field at the wind-friendly, but player, coach, runner and supporter unfriendly Craigieburn oval.
It played havoc with Dandenong’s chances as the Stingrays booted one-goal-nine in a horror first term.
Cory Machaya was the only player to capitalise on the breeze in the first term, slotting the sole goal compared to the nine other shots squandered by the Stingrays.
The home side savoured the wind and flew along the ground to seize the lead and send the Stingrays back to the drawing board at half-time.The one-two forward line punch of Jimmy Freeman (three goals) and Josh Battle proved a sight to behold as the duo kept the Cannons from blasting away with it.
Gut-run and determination was all the coaches could rely on in the freezing, slippery conditions as Robert Turnbull, Sam Pickess and Machaya upped the ante when called on.
A 27-point buffer at the final margin, kicking against the wind, was always going to be tough, but somehow the Stingrays managed to break the seasons-long Highgate hoodoo and hold on.
Livewire forward Darcy Warke stole the show as he crumbed a match-defining goal against the zipping zephyr, but the Cannons weren’t done from there.
Two more goals flew for the home side in the dying minutes to bring the margin back to seven points, but the Cannons couldn’t finish it off despite the gallant performance from both sides.
“There was a bit of wind blowing to one end and was really wet – so it was a hard slog,” Dandenong coach Craig Black said. “We probably didn’t take our opportunities in the first quarter, kicking one goal nine, if we hit the scoreboard bit more regularly, five goals or something, we might’ve put them under the pump.
“Really good third quarter – Josh Battle kicked a goal within thirty seconds – then in the last term we held them off.
“Thought we’d need to kick at least one goal into the breeze and Darcy Warke delivered so it was a good result.
Black said Jake Lovett got through the match without incident – in his TAC Cup return following two months sidelined – while Berwick debutant Ryan Gains got through his first run run around in the top league without issue.
Dandenong stays in touch with the top of the TAC Cup – sitting third by percentage – and face second ranked Murray in a battle of top ranked Vic Country sides with as an added bonus, their Vic Country stars back in tow for the first round after the Under-18 National Championships.
Needless to say, there are tons of reasons to march down to Shepley Oval on Saturday afternoon and witness the best battle it out from 1.30pm.
“There would be a few people waiting for this game – I suspect it should be good,” Black said. “Both teams are full strength and its’s back at our home ground, which we look forward to, and look forward to the boys having a really tough fight and hopefully they’re up for the challenge.”
TAC CUP SCOREBOARD
CALDER CANNONS 1.0 4.4 5.5 9.7 (61)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 1.9 2.10 8.14 9.14 (68)
