By JARROD POTTER
TAC CUP – ROUND 8 REVIEW
BATTERED and beaten on the big stage, Dandenong’s effort dried up against a clinical Geelong Falcons outfit.
The Falcons swooped on Shepley Oval and ran riot to take a 45-point victory and the bragging rights in the TAC Cup on top of the ladder.
For the Rays, Mason de Wit (leg) was injured early on and it only got worse from there as Matt La Fontaine (kidney/abdomen) was taken to hospital at half time following a collision while captain Liam McKay (ankle) and Danny Allsop (leg) were also out of action for most of the day.
De Wit (two goals) and Allsop managed to get back out on the field, albeit in a limited capacity – with de Wit switched up forward to gallantly compete from the goal-square on one leg.
While their injuries hurt, the Stingrays’ mistakes were agonising; turnovers, free kicks, 50m penalties were far too common for the Dandy boys to overcome.
They butchered the ball going forward in the first term – conceding a 29-point margin despite having a lot of the play.
After an early flourish in the second, Dandenong was left in Geelong’s wake once again. The deadeye Falcons at one stage had 11 goals to a solitary behind in an extraordinary display of goal-kicking as the visitors slammed on six to the half – with Sam Simpson, Brett Blair and Pat Dowling loving their south east sojourn in particular.
With only two fit on the bench after the half, it was a tough ask for the Rays … but the side rallied.
Chalk and cheese level contrast separated the Stingrays first and second half performances as the ball started to move freely – off Myles Poholke, Reece Piper and in-and-under midfielder Nathan Scagliarini – and give the side a little hope.
Josh Battle (four goals) toiled in the forward half with a collection of Falcons draped over his shoulders at every contest.
The Doveton draft prospect performed admirably despite that handicap to reel the margin back at the final change, but Geelong wasn’t going to let the hosts escape unscathed. They slammed on a few quick final-term goals to take the result comfortably.
“I thought we did pretty well from half time,” Stingrays coach Craig Black said. “With the injuries we probably kept the score pretty close to what it was at half time, and you can’t fault the effort of the boys there, but when the game was up for grabs, that’s probably what we’ll more look at.
“The areas we got beaten; probably too easy around the centre stoppages and at a ground like Shepley that’s so important.
“The quick kick out (of the centre) and they’re 30 metres from goal and I think they kicked four or five from centre clearances, and doesn’t help when you give away free kicks and they get a couple more shots.
“Sounds like I say the same thing every week, but you’re giving them a couple of easy shots and it isn’t ideal.”
Black was impressed with ruckman Dylan Atkins, defender Bailey Morrish and hard-edged midfielder Myles Poholke.
Conceding top spot on the TAC Cup ladder, the third-ranked Rays travel up to Echuca to battle Bendigo Pioneers from 11.30am on Sunday.
TAC CUP SCOREBOARD
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 0.2 4.6 8.9 12.13 (85)
GEELONG FALCONS 5.1 11.2 14.5 20.10 (130)
DANDENONG Goal Kickers: J. Battle 4, M. DeWit 2, A. Darling, S. Fowler, T. Glen, M. Poholke, N. Scagliarini, T. De Koning. Best: D. Atkins, B. Morrish, M. Poholke, R. Piper, J. Battle, N. Scagliarini. GEELONG Goals: S. Simpson 3, P. Dowling 3, J. Henry 2, J. Blood 2, J. McLachlan 2, B. McCarthy, E. Floyd, L. McCartney, L. McCarthy, L. Noble, J. Worpel, J. Bennett, B. Blair. Best: J. Worpel, J. Bennett, L. McCartney, C. Francis, S. Simpson, J. Henry.
