By Nick Creely
Dandenong Stingrays proved a class above the Calder Cannons on Sunday in a relatively one-sided affair at Shepley Oval.
The final margin, 38-points, was probably not a true reflection of the dominance the Rays had for three quarters, but a four-goal surge from the Cannons in the last 15 minutes of the last quarter significantly trimmed the win.
With as many as eight of their regular stars missing, including skipper Oscar Clavarino, Bailey Morrish, Mitchell Riordan and Luke Davies, it was always going to be a tough challenge even against the struggling Cannons.
But the Rays started like a house on fire, with Riley D’Arcy slamming the opening goal in the first few minutes of the match, before controlling proceedings to take a 32-point lead into the first break.
The Rays completely dominated possession, controlling the game on both the inside and outside of the contest, and punishing the faltering Cannons on turnover.
D’Arcy, who kicked three opening term goals, was a handful with his aerial presence and ability to use his athleticism.
It seemed the momentum couldn’t possibly be halted when the Rays put two quick goals on the board to start the second, but their almost 50-point lead was slashed with a couple of late Cannon goals to reduce the margin back to 40 at the major break.
With a slight lull in the Rays’ goal-kicking spree, a few strong passages in the third-quarter ensured they would take a 48-point lead with a quarter left to play.
Mitch Cotter (21 disposals), Dylan Morris (12 disposals, two goals), Hunter Clark (18 disposals) and Mason De Wit (24 disposals, 7 marks) found their share of the footy in a somewhat subdued quarter for the Rays, but the Cannons were more industrious at the contest, kicking 2.2 to the Rays 3.4.
When the Rays skipped out to a 60-point lead, it seemed 100 points was not outside the realms of possibility, but the Cannons fought admirably to gain respect on the scoreboard, and put together their most impressive 15 minutes of the game, slamming on four unanswered goals to leave them with a six-goal loss.
D’Arcy, was arguably the difference between the two sides with an imposing five-goal-haul, and is surely now among the names on every AFL recruiters watch-list.
He, along with a host of youngsters such as Will Hamill (26 disposals) and Tom Murphy (24 disposals, nine tackles), carried the flag despite the loss of leaders and their AFL Academy representatives to run the Cannons’ midfielders ragged.
The Rays now have a 3-2 record, and face a big test at Preston City Oval next Sunday against the Northern Knights.
The Cannons remain winless and down at the bottom-of-the-ladder.
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 5.5 9.10 12.14 14.17(101)
CALDER CANNONS 0.3 3.6 5.8 9.9(63)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS
GOALS: R. D’Arcy 5, D. Morris 2, J. Nanscawen 2, D. Hope, W. Smith, J. Bateman, T. Dekoning, J. Plumridge.
BEST: M. DeWit, W. Hamill, J. Plumridge , T. Murphy, J. Nanscawen, R. D’Arcy.
CALDER CANNONS
GOALS: J. Evans 3, J. McNicol, D. Landt, M. Borg, J. Firebrace, J. Firebrace, M. Moustafa.
BEST: Landt, M. Podhajski, B. Caluzzi, J. Evans, B. Bernacki, J. Velissaris.
