By Nick Creely
The Dandenong Stingrays have been annihilated by an electrifying Geelong Falcons unit by 77 points in their clash at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
Coming into the game after an impressive victory over the Power, the Rays were sky-high on confidence early, with Riley D’Arcy kicking the first goal of the game and Bailey Williams snaring a major only ten minutes later.
After a close and tight affair in the first quarter, the Falcons were irresistible once the siren sounded to begin the second term, notably through the midfield, piling on five unanswered goals to take a commanding 33-point lead into half-time.
With some fight at the beginning of the third-quarter, the Stingrays were simply overrun by a well-drilled midfield later in the quarter, with highly touted-youngsters James Worpel (22 disposals and one goal) and Cassidy Parish (33 disposals) running amok and showing off some class.
Parish, who is the younger brother of Essendon star Darcy, was simply too slick for the Rays to handle.
In the last quarter, the Falcons toyed with a tiring Stingrays backline, kicking six goals to two to stretch out the lead beyond 60 points.
Forward pair Gryan Miers and Tom McCartin combined powerfully for eight goals between them, causing Oscar Clavarino and his defenders enormous grief.
But despite the disappointing loss, there were plenty of positives for the Rays to take away from the game.
Will Hamill (17 disposals and five tackles) was a shining light, co-captain Josh Bateman (19 disposals) battled hard, while Mitch Rioardan (nine disposals) showed immense class despite not getting a heap of the footy.
Exciting goal-sneak Finlay Bayne was the only multiple goal-scorer in an impressive debut game with the Rays.
The Stingrays must now regroup ahead of a big clash with the Greater Western Victoria Rebels at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.
GEELONG FALCONS 3.4 8.7 13.11 19.16(130)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 3.3 3.4 6.4 8.5(53)
GEELONG FALCONS
GOALS: G.Miers 5, T.McCartin 3, J.Reid 3, L.Noble 2, O.Brownless, E.McHenry, S.Walsh, H.Benson, D.Handley, J.Worpel
BEST: J.Worpel, C.Parish, J.Jaska, T.McCartin, G.Miers, L.Noble
DANDENONG STINGRAYS
GOALS: F.Bayne 2, T.Roberts, R.D’Arcy, D.Morris A.Zijai, B.Williams, T.De Koning
BEST: M.Riordan, W.Hamill, F.Bayne, M.Cotter, J.Plumridge, L.Young
