By Nick Creely
TAC CUP
PREVIEW – ELIMINATION FINAL
DANDENONG STINGRAYS (3RD) v EASTERN RANGES (6TH)
SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER, VICTORIA PARK 2.15pm
One thing is for certain, the TAC Cup’s newly rejigged finals format making each game an elimination final is extremely exciting.
It throws open the door for anyone to win the premiership but it also ensures the top teams remain on their toes and don’t become complacent.
Although the Dandenong Stingrays finished the home-and-away season in third and were arguably the most in-form in the second half of the season, it all starts again.
Surprisingly, silverware has alluded the ‘Rays in its TAC Cup history to date and its first hurdle in the quest for a flag – an Eastern Ranges side whose best matches anyone in the competition.
The Ranges have been dealt a cruel injury blow with star midfielder Adam Cerra ruled out for the rest of the year but have key players Harrison Nolan, Jaidyn Stephenson, Jordan Lynch and dominant ruckman Sam Hayes all fit and firing.
The ‘Rays are almost at full strength with important tall Tom De Koning missing from the side with injury.
But their defence looks rock solid, with Oscar Clavarino marshalling a backline that has been in outstanding touch, in particular in the last month of the home-and-away season. Angus Paterson, who has gone under the radar for most of the season, just continues to get the job done.
FORMLINE: Dandenong took the opportunity to rest players such as Mitch Cotter, Hunter Clark, Bailey Williams, Luke Davies-Uniacke and co-skipper Justin Bateman for the final round loss to the Geelong Falcons. Apart from that minor slip-up, the ‘Rays have been virtually faultless in the second half of the season. The Ranges are entering finals after being touched up by top two sides in Oakleigh by 45-points and the Falcons by 58.
LAST TIME THEY MET: The two sides clashed back in Round 8, with the ‘Rays putting the Ranges to the sword in a dominant 63-point win, 17.13 (115) to 7.10 (52). After an even first quarter, the Stingrays broke the game apart with an eight-goal to one second quarter to claim valuable percentage. Jai Nanscawen and Tom De Koning both booted four goals apiece, while Mitch Cotter and Lachlan Young both found plenty of the football.
KEY PLAYERS: The ruck dual between Sam Hayes and Bailey Williams is an exciting thought, and will go a long way in deciding each team’s fate and the end of the match. Physicality, an ability to push forward, cover the ground and give the midfielder’s first use is a priority for each ruckman, and could easily be the match defining contest. Getting the ball regularly into the hands of Stingray midfield jets Luke Davies-Uniacke, Hunter Clark, as well as utility types Mason De Wit and Bailey Morrish will go a long way in deciding the game.
WHAT THE COACH SAYS:
“We prepare no different to any other game, we did the review from last week, and just trained as per normal – the boys are really excited,” – Stingrays coach Craig Black.
“You need 25-30 players playing well to win finals so, hopefully, whatever team we put out there this week we’ll be looking for a pretty big effort.
“They (Eastern Ranges) have a really talented list so it should be a great challenge – if we can play our best footy we can kick goals really quickly.
“Their midfield and ruck with Hayes are elite, and they have some great runners – to be honest they have some serious players on every line.
“Obviously we are expecting rain Friday, but we just pick a team and adapt to the conditions – we’ll back our kids in.”
SELECTED SIDES
DANDENONG STINGRAYS
B: W. Hamill, A. Paterson, J. Bateman
HB: T. Freeman, O. Clavarino, J. Davies
C: B. Morrish, M. Cotter, M. DeWit
HF: J. Nanscawen, R. D’Arcy, F. Bayne
F: T. Murphy, A. Bonar, T. Bedford
R: B. Williams, H. Clark, L. Davies – Uniacke
Int: J. Plumridge , M. Riordan, B. Schmidt, C. Hustwaite, J. Taylor, J. McHale, D. Frampton
Emg: D. Morris
23P: R. Bowman
EASTERN RANGES
B: K. Quirk, L. Woodward, K. Stainthorpe
HB: R. Stoddart, H. Nolan, J. Garner
C: T. Brown, J. Stephenson, J. Ross
HF: C. Hirst, J. Rossiter, T. Mynott
F: M. Doreian, S. Lovell, L. Taylor
R: S. Hayes, J. Lynch, D. Moore
Int: B. Stevens, T. Lockman, C. Black, R. Nicholas, D. Feltham, J. Rouget, X. Fry
23P: M. Mellis
