By Jarrod Potter
EIGHTEEN behinds cost the Dandenong Stingrays dearly in their first game of the TAC Cup season against the Gippsland Power at Morwell on Saturday.
Two last-quarter goals by Gippsland vice-captain Clay Smith gave the Power a one-point win, leaving the Stingrays to wonder what could have been.
The Stingrays midfield took advantage of the strong wind in the first quarter to deliver many chances to Dandenong key forwards Piva Wright and Todd Elton, but none were converted.
The Dandenong forwards marked well, but the accuracy in front of goal was less than stellar. Brett O’Hanlon, Wright and Elton kicked 10 behinds between them. On many other occasions, their kicks failed to make the distance – or went out on the full.
The Power capitalised on the Stingrays’ wayward quarter to open up a one-point lead with goals from Matt Northe, Sean Marusic and Tim Membrey.
Neither side took the upper hand in the second quarter, with Stingrays midfielders Lachlan Wallace, Jason Salopek and Lachie Whitfield working hard to generate good ball movement. Dandenong added goals through Adam Giobbi and Lachie Whitfield, before the Power stabilised with goals to Smith and Tembrey to wrestle back the lead.
A strong pack mark from Marusic resulted in a Power goal after the siren as they finished seven points up at half time.
The third quarter belonged to the Stingrays in all aspects but the scoreboard, with missed shots and squandered opportunities as Dandenong failed to goal in the term. Eight points for the Stingrays from seven players in the third quarter was characteristic of how Dandenong shot at goal for the day.
Despite being relatively quiet up forward, Gippsland was able to hold onto the seven-point lead through an early goal to Nicholas Graham going into the final break.
Dandenong coach Graeme Yeats told his team at the three-quarter time break not to worry about goals and points, but to keep their energy up and maintain intensity for the ball.
Smith’s two last quarter goals put the Power up by 12 points with less than five minutes left, before the Stingrays struck back. The Power couldn’t close out the game, scoring a behind before two quick Dandenong goals brought the margin back to a point. Alex Benbow and Corey Buchan struck close to the end, but they left the comeback too late as the Stingrays fell short by the smallest of margins.
Best on ground for the Stingrays were Lachlan Wallace, performing as an elite inside mid-fielder under the packs, Whitfield and Salopek, who ran hard through the centre, and Elton for his great presence in the ruck and up forward.
Dandenong plays the North Ballarat Rebels at Eureka Stadium on Sunday at 1pm.
@BT Sub Sport News:
Gippsland Power: 3.0 6.2 7.4 9.7 (61) d
Dandenong Stingrays: 2.5 4.7 4.15 7.18 (60)
Goals:
Gippsland: C. Smith 3, S. Marusic 2, T. Membrey 2, N.Graham, M. Northe, S. Wyatt.
Dandenong: L. Whitfield, C. Buchan, J. Pongracic, A. Benbow, J. Salopek, T. Elton, A. Giobbi.
Best:
Gippsland: C. Smith, N. Graham, D. Butcher, H. Hector.
Dandenong: L. Wallace, L. Whitfield, T. Elton, J. Salopek.
