By Jarrod Potter
THE hard work begins now for the Dandenong Stingrays as its TAC Cup finals campaign commences this weekend.
Putting behind them a woeful performance against Geelong Falcons to round out the TAC Cup home and away season, the Stingrays have worked hard on the track – especially at their goal-kicking – to ensure this week’s final would not be a repeat of last week.
The second ranked Rays battle third placed Murray in a tantalising first-up final for the two Vic Country powerhouses.
Dandenong has not left anything on the sidelines as it has unleashed its strongest line-up of the year at the right time.Dandenong coach Craig Black said it’s been the strength of the entire list, not just the best 10 or 12 – that has lifted the Stingrays to the peak of the TAC Cup ladder and has created a strong launching pad for September.
“We’re really confident in our list – not just the 22 that are playing – it’s a really strong list and this week there are 22 that are fortunate enough to play for us and get a chance to play finals footy.
Recruiters, Brisbane and Carlton fans alike are salivating over the prospect of Jacob Weitering versus Josh Schache – arguably battling each other for the top spot in this year’s AFL National Draft as well as in the Bushrangers’ forward line on Sunday – but the coach admitted it wouldn’t be a one-on-one shootout with the likes of Keiran Collins and Zac Rouse ready to chop out.
“I think more than likely Keiran will start on him and they’ll both take their turns,” Black said. “From us we’ve got plenty of confidence in both of them and whether Rousey (Zac Rouse) has to go back there for five minutes – we’re really happy with our defensive six and how they’ll match up on anyone.”
Dandenong has brought cannons to a gunfight – with its backline featuring five Vic Country representatives – two of which earning themselves the full back (Keiran Collins) and centre-half-back (Weitering) accolades at the national championships.
Add to that five out of six of its midfield also donning a Vic Country jersey – Brandon White, Kurt Mutimer, Thomas Jok, Gach Nyuon and Mitch Cox – while the sixth, Lachie Batten, was only held out of the side by injury, not potential.
“The midfield is always a crucial part of the ground – first use of the footy gives your forwards some clean ball and opportunities – rather than let it go the other way – and we’ve got a really good inside-50 ratio to shots on goal.”
The emphasis on defence and midfield is not to talk down the forward line by any stretch. High marking forwards Josh Battle – AFL Academy listed for 2016 – Travis Young and Jimmy Freeman complemented exceptionally by the captain Lachlan Williams and goalsneaks Shannon Gladman and Zak Roscoe.
Dandenong kept the standard high all season sending half a dozen Stingrays – Cox, Jake Lovett, Bailey Rice, Jayden Bubb, Harry Prior and Daniel Capiron – to the VFL ranks in the second half of the TAC Cup season.
“It’s been good for their development – if you’re playing the same standard you can be a bit comfortable, but this year we were fortunate enough to give six a chance to play VFL seniors,” Black said. “We think if it keeps them sharp as well and doesn’t let them just go through the motions – then it’s for the best.”
While some people believe the TAC Cup finals are just a recruiters’ exhibition series ahead of the draft, Black said the boys were keen to get out there and play for each other and the club – as their TAC Cup seasons and careers draw towards an end.
“The boys are genuinely excited as they should be,” Black said. “It’s not like you’re going to play in them every year – we’ve got a good list and we hope that our talent can come out as the good players can hopefully play well in big games.
“Just want them to enjoy the game, seize the moment and see how we go.
“The good thing is if the boys know that we play, if we can back ourselves to the best of our ability the results will look after themselves.”
The qualifying final commences at 2pm at Princes Park, Carlton.
DANDENONG STINGRAYS LINE-UP
B Di Pasquale Collins CapironHB Glen Weitering RiceC White Mutimer JokHF Williams Freeman RoscoeF Battle Young GladmanR Nyuon Cox BattenInt (From) Prior, Z. Rouse, Holden, Pickess, Poholke, Lovett, Bubb, McKay.
