JARROD POTTER
TAC CUP – qualifying final
UNDERDOGGING their way into the TAC Cup semi-finals, Dandenong Stingrays shocked the league knocking off the Western Jets by 15 points.
Odds were heavily on Western’s side, following its Stingray victory earlier this month.
Dandenong kicked away strongly in the first term to force Western to go to its running players – with the likes of Connor Menadue, Liam McMahon and Liam Duggan burning holes in the Stingrays midfield as they put on the afterburners.
The Rays had more in their tank though – raising the tempo through the third term to kick away as tall targets Jacob Weitering and Aaron Wilson took the game by the horns.
Hard and tough football suited the Stingrays with a fleet of midfielders and quick defenders – such as Alex Harnett, Sam Guerts, Dan Moloney and Bailey Rice – who fought right up to the Western goal line to stop any chance of a comeback.
AIS-AFL pair Daniel Capiron and Tom Lamb found their role in the game to kick the first two of the final term.
Western would return fire to get within three points, but Dandenong’s resolve remained in the hot conditions.
Weitering was called upon once again – to finish the job and book Dandenong’s place in the next round – as he took a crucial inside-50 grab with the clock ticking down.
His final goal of the afternoon put to bed any Western hopes of further finals as Dandenong claimed a 13.8 (86) to 10.11(71) triumph.
Stingrays coach Craig Black said he was thrilled with the boys’ premium performance and the second final it grants them.
It was just fantastic,” Black said.
“We always say if the effort is there, the result will come, and I thought our effort was there for four-quarters and we’re lucky enough today (Sunday) to win… really excited about the opportunity of playing two finals.”
The coach praised his midfielders and defenders for the rebound intensity and ability to stop the ball deep in defence.
“I thought Ricey (Bailey Rice) that last quarter… that mark he took… and our mids really worked back and helped the defence… we were able to run it out as well so it’s a credit to the boys,” Black said.
Dandenong will face Geelong Falcons in the semi-finals next Sunday at VISY Park from 2pm.
