By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
DANDENONG STINGRAYS
6.0 7.6 15.10 18.15 (123)
BENDIGO PIONEERS
2.1 5.1 7.2 8.5 (53)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS
GOALS: M. Rennie 5, J. Lonie 3, T. Lamb 3, N. Gardiner 2, B. Egan, W. Hartung, Z. Jones, T. Joyce, J. Harmes.
BEST: B. Egan, J. Harmes, Z. Jones, J. Wilson, M. Rennie, D. Capiron.
BENDIGO PIONEERS
GOALS: J. Ryan 2, J. McGrath 2, J. Mangan, L. Byrne, B. Spurr, H. Conway.
BEST: J. Chisari, S. Heavyside, L. Byrne, J. Ryan, J. Maher, J. Hargreaves.
A MONTH is a long time in footy, especially for the enigmatic Dandenong Stingrays.
Following a procession of frustrating losses several weeks ago, the Stingrays have strung back-to-back wins together and done so in style, notching an impressive 70-point victory against Bendigo at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
With the proverbial monkey well and truly off its back, Dandenong came out of the blocks shooting from the hip, kicking six goals to two in the first term.
“We were really pleased to play in a similar vein as we had against Murray,” Dandenong coach Graeme Yeats said.
“It was a hard-fought 10 to 15 minutes at the start of the match with Bendigo and our pressure around the ball was terrific.”
Brady Egan led the charge for Dandenong, while teammates James Harmes and Zak Jones were equally impressive.
But it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the home side.
The Pioneers lifted their intensity in the second quarter and cut the Dandenong lead to 17-points.
Despite its lead, Dandenong were pleased half time came when it did because by the time it was over; a rejuvenated group of Stingrays left the rooms.
In a dazzling display of quick ball movement, hard tackling and poised goal kicking, the Stingrays sent Bendigo into submission in the second half.
Dandenong booted eight goals in the third quarter and extended its margin to 56 points, before slamming home another three goals in the last term just to be sure.
Stingray Matthew Rennie gave the Bendigo backline a headache by slotting five majors and Jack Lonie continued his impressive form last week by adding another three goals to his season tally.
Jake Wilson and Daniel Capiron were also among the best for Dandenong.
For Bendigo, Joshua Ryan and Jaden McGrath booted two goals apiece while Jacob Chisari and Sam Heavyside led the Pioneers’ best.
Yeats was confident his side were now playing close to its benchmark and observed several improvements in the team’s approach.
“We are playing much better with the ball in our hands,” he said.
“I feel our defence has been good for a while, we just need to make sure we are getting a lot out of forwards.”
Sitting comfortably in fifth position and only a game out of fourth, the Stingrays are well poised for a late-season tilt at the upper echelons of the ladder.
Dandenong will face the Sandringham Dragons after this week’s bye.
