By JARROD POTTER
TAC CUP – ROUND 7
HARD-FOUGHT, wild and windy. It may not have been a skilful spectacle for the ages, but Dandenong did claim its status as a TAC Cup contender with a 21-point triumph over the previously unbeaten Eastern Ranges.
Despite the best efforts of Samuel Weiderman – who booted five goals in a losing effort – the Ranges could not mount the scoreboard pressure necessary to restrict the Stingrays.
Using the wind to their advantage in the third term, Dandenong booted away as it rattled off six goals to a solitary Ranges’ behind as James Freeman, Darcy Warke, Bailey Rice, Jake Di Pasquale and Josh Battle all split the sticks in a scintillating period.
Needing to hold on despite the winds picking up and making scoring at the Eastern Freeway end virtually impossible, the defence was resilient under tremendous attack. Jordan Rouse, Keiran Collins – in only his second game this season – and Melbourne father-son prospect Jake Lovett repelled with aplomb from the defensive end to give the Stingrays a chance through the final stanza.
In the end, Freeman would get on the end of an amazing run-from-defence by Bailey Rice – who has been in the metro media sights this week as speculation swirls about his father-son decision between Carlton and St Kilda.
Freeman’s goal would sink Eastern’s hopes and give Dandenong its biggest scalp of the year. Freeman and Zak Roscoe (two goals each) maintained their score-laden seasons as the main forward targets alongside Battle, who put up a tough contest all day as he flew for numerous contested grabs.
“Our second half was definitely better than our first, our work-rate back and our intensity lifted so it was good for us,” Dandenong coach Craig Black said.
“I just thought Eastern was a really good footy team and we haven’t beaten them out there (Box Hill) since I’ve been involved, so it was good that the boys applied themselves and that’s what happens when you play a team-style of footy.
“Hopefully that’s a platform for the season.”
Black also praised the versatility of Harry Prior – who this week switched from defence into the ruck with the absence of prime tapping pair Jayden Bubb and Gach Nyuon.
Moving back into the TAC Cup top six, with a 4-2 record, Dandenong will hope to stabilise its spot against the visiting Western Jets on Saturday morning from 11.30am.
TAC CUP – ROUND 7
EASTERN RANGES 3.1 7.5 7.6 9.8 (62)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 3.4 5.6 11.9 12.11 (83)
Dandenong Goals: J. Freeman 2, Z. Roscoe 2, M. La Fontaine, J. Battle, T. Young, J. Di Pasquale, D. Warke, S. Gladman, L. Williams, B. Rice. Best: J. Rouse, J. Freeman, K. Collins, J. Lovett, M. Cox, J. Di Pasquale.
