TAC CUP
REVIEW – ROUND 8
By Nick Creely
From start to finish, the Dandenong Stingrays dominated in all facets of the game.
Indecisive ball movement, a lack of tackling pressure and an inability to convert have plagued the highly-rated Rays in recent weeks, but they finally found their mojo.
And in Saturday morning’s empathetic 63-point win over Eastern Ranges at Shepley Oval, the Rays moved to a 4-4 record, keeping their season alive.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the Rays this season, who despite playing some electrifying football in patches, have often been overrun and exposed around the ground.
But after a week of soul-searching, the Rays came out blazing, kicking the first two goals early in the contest to hold a narrow lead at quarter time over the inconsistent Ranges, a side looking to keep its season alive.
After the Ranges opened their account in the second with a goal to Kaleb Van Beek, the Rays went berserk, piling on seven goals in a dominant 14-minute patch, to take a commanding 49-point lead into half time.
And despite the game stagnating in scoring as the tempo upped an ante, the Rays went into the final change 41-points clear of the Ranges and eyeing a potentially season defining four points.
With a bit of party time in the last, small forward Jai Nanscawen (four goals) feasted on the impressive work of the midfield group to snag three final term goals, in what has been an impressive rise for the Rosebud youngster.
In Nanscawen’s seven games in the 2017 season, he has kicked 14 goals.
Stingrays coach Craig Black was proud of his group’s resolve after last week’s heavy defeat, praising his team for responding with their backs against the wall.
“The boys were disappointed last week with their efforts – especially wearing the old heritage jumper – but they came out and played the style they train for,” he said.
“In this competition, things change week-to-week – it was important that we went out and competed.”
Black said it was an excellent team performance, but pointed out certain individuals who took their game to the next level.
“I thought Mason De Wit (31 disposals, seven tackles) was great off half back, as well as Hunter Clark (28 disposals) and Tom De Koning (four goals, two contested marks),” he said.
“Mitch Cotter (24 disposals, 11 tackles) also was outstanding – he is as brave a player as I’ve seen and always put his body on the line.
“It was just a great team performance, really.”
While in defence, Angus Paterson continues to shine in a key position role, playing another stellar game. Standing 198cm, Paterson has filled the void left by Oscar Clavarino, with his intercept marking particularly impressive.
The TAC Cup has a bye next round due to Development Weekend, but the Stingrays will travel up to Bendigo to face the Pioneers on 4 June, in what looms as a huge clash for both sides.
With the Pioneers just a game off the bottom, they will be desperate for a more improved performance, while the Rays sit just a game outside the top four.
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 3.0 11.5 12.8 17.13(115)
EASTERN RANGES 2.3 3.4 5.9 7.10(52)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS
GOALS: J. Nanscawen 4, T. De Koning 4, L. Young 2, A. Zijai 2, C. Hustwaite, D. Hope, W. Hamill, M. Cotter, B. Williams.
BEST: M. Cotter, L. Young, T. Dekoning, A. Paterson, C. Hustwaite, J. Davies.
EASTERN RANGES
GOALS: J. Duncan 3, K. Van Beek 2, S. Hayes, S. Milner.
BEST: J. Lynch, L. Stapleton, H. Nolan, J. Stephenson, K. Quirk, T. North.
