By Nick Creely
The most notable sight of the Dandenong Stingrays’ nine-point win on Saturday was the abundance of quality out on the field at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Combined with their high quality opponents – Sandringham Dragons – the ‘Rays played a part in one of the TAC Cup’s most impressive games of the season.
More than half of the players from both sides represented the wave of AFL talent set to grace the field in 2018, and they sure put on a show.
In a game of ebbs and flows in momentum, the ‘Rays were the much better team in the first half, leading by seven at quarter time before a dominant six goal second term saw them lead by 29 at half time.
The cream of the crop – Hunter Clark in the midfield, Mason De Wit off half-back, Luke Davies-Uniacke both on ball and up forward as well as composed skipper Oscar Clavarino had all the answers.
But the switch in momentum by the Dragons’ star power in Andrew Brayshaw, Charlie Constable and dual athlete Ed Newman saw the home side draw within four points at the final change.
Clark opened the account for the ‘Rays in the final term with a classy second goal at the seventh minute mark and the ‘Rays didn’t relinquish the lead after that.
Stingrays co-skipper Oscar Clavarino – who played a strong intercepting game down back – was pleased that the group played such a strong team game against a high quality opponent.
“It’s great to see the boys come together at this time of the season and continue to play some good footy,” he said.
“It reassures us that what we’ve done pre-season and during the early stages of the season is really paying off.
“(The) Dragons are a great side and certainly have some very talented players.
“At the same time, we knew as a team that we were full of talent and had an even greater asset, being team footy which I thought really showed on Saturday.”
With the Stingrays having now won five of its last six matches as it gears up for a finals campaign, Clavarino identified the area of the game that has stood out the most.
“I think the most impressive part of the team’s play in the last month or so is our ability to get the game on our terms and play to our strengths,” he said.
“With a lot of running players we’ve become a great handball receiving team and have found a way to use that as a weapon to create attack of the half back line.”
Despite playing as a strong, collective team unit, the form of inside midfielder and Morrish Medal smoky Hunter Clark turned heads once again.
In arguably his third best-afield performance in a row, Clark was incredible with his vision by hand and foot, racking up almost 30 disposals and pushing forward to kick two classy goals.
De Wit and Bailey Morrish were others to play strong running games, while Clavarino and Davies-Uniacke showed their abundance of class throughout the match.
The Stingrays will warm up for the finals with a final home-and-away clash against Geelong Falcons on Sunday.
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 1.4 3.9 9.11 10.12(72)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.5 8.8 10.9 11.15(81)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS
GOALS: A. Trusler 3, J. Gorman 2, C. Constable, A. Styles, S. Williams, A. Brayshaw, A. Jarnestrom.
BEST: A. Styles, E. Newman, A. Brayshaw, N. Murphy, S. Williams, J. Amartey.
DANDENONG STINGRAYS
GOALS: J. Nanscawen 2, H. Clark 2, A. Bonar, R. Bowman, M. Riordan, A. Young, L. Davies – Uniacke, W. Hamill, B. Williams.
BEST: H. Clark, M. DeWit, B. Morrish, L. Davies – Uniacke, T. Freeman, O. Clavarino.
