By JARROD POTTER
TAC Cup – round 4
WITH most of its bench decimated through injury, the remaining Dandenong Stingrays dug deep to run out 29-point winners over the Bendigo Pioneers.
Down to one on the bench by the end of the match, the Stingrays managed to keep enough in the tank to overcome the Pioneers 12.10 (82) to 7.11 (53).
A five-goal third term proved the difference as Dandenong found its legs at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo as part of a TAC Cup country triple-header.
Aaron Wilson was a supreme forward force – kicking five goals to rocket him up the TAC Cup goal kicking table to sixth overall.
Recent transferee from basketball, Elliott Hunt continued to give first opportunity to the Stingrays through his ruck-work making an instant impact in his football career.
Stingrays’ coach Craig Black said to fight back against the run of play and negate the Pioneers through the third term showed great determination from the players.
“Really good win for the Stingrays – we started off well, kicking with the breeze, but at half time they fought back and there was only a goal difference,” Black said on the Stingrays Facebook page.
“Our third quarter was really good and our boys ran the game out sensationally well.”
Black highlighted the efforts of birthday boy Alex Harnett – through the midfield – and the efforts of Jacob Weitering and Rourke Fischer also stood out to the coach.
A week off for Easter gives the Stingrays time to freshen up before its first home clash of the season when Dandenong faces the Western Jets on 26 April from 11.30am.
