In a season that has seen the Dandenong Stingrays take all before them, it came down to 50 minutes of football that stood between them and a TAC Cup grand final berth.
Taking on the Sandringham Dragons in a preliminary final at IKON Park on Saturday afternoon, neither team was able to break away in a hard-fought opening half of football.
Classy forward Ned Cahill got Dandenong on the board in the first quarter with a snap and after tearing apart last week’s final against the Rebels, Cahill’s fine form continued.
He followed up that goal with an assist to Bailey Williams, who slotted a set shot to give the Rays a six-point quarter time lead.
After a slow start to the second quarter, it was Foot with help from Toby Bedford, who clicked the Rays into gear with a fine goal.
The Dragons responded with two goals of their own to take the lead. Cahill, who has risen to the occasion at the business end of the season, used his smothering pressure to earn a holding the ball free kick and he kicked truly to level the scores.
In the space of three minutes, the ever-dangerous Bedford put his mark on the game with two quick goals. A late goal to Sandringham was disappointing, but Dandenong still held a half time lead; 6.3 (39) to 5.3 (33).
The third quarter is often known as the premiership quarter, and on Saturday it was a 25-minute patch of football that earned the Rays the right to play off in the grand final a week later.
Bedford once again answered the call, putting through the Rays first major of the second half and it started a match-winning run for the Rays.
A five-goal to one term – including back-to-back majors to Jai Taylor – had Dandenong well in control at the final break, 11.7 (73) to 6.3 (39).
It was the Rays’ intense pressure and work rate that finally broke the Dragons with the likes of captain Campbell Hustwaite, Sam Fletcher and Bedford running riot around the ball.
Despite holding a lead, the job wasn’t done. Dandenong continued to work hard and won the fourth quarter as they booked their ticket to the big dance with a 14.11 (95) to 8.5 (53) win.
Hustwaite was sublime with a game-high 27 disposals and nine clearances. Will Hamill’s game stood out as he drove Dandenong forward on many occasions. Williams, Bedford (three goals each) and Cahill (two goals) led the forward pack, while Fletcher and Riley Bowman also impressed.
Now the Stingrays must quickly turn their attention to what is a mouth-watering grand final match-up.
On Saturday 22 September at IKON Park, they’ll take on the Oakleigh Chargers for the 2018 TAC Cup premiership.
The Rays will be chasing the club’s maiden TAC Cup premiership in what will be Craig Black’s final game as coach, as he will be joining Collingwood next year in a development role
Whilst the Stingrays will enter the grand final having not lost a game since April, the Chargers present a formidable challenge having won their last three games – two of which were win-or-go-home finals – by 90 points or more.
The Rays have been the best and most consistent side all year – highlighted by their 18-1 season record – and in their two finals have shown no signs of complacency; defeating the Rebels by 110 points and the Dragons by 42 points on Saturday.
The Chargers’ season record of 12-5-1 showcases that they can be beaten, but they have had an array of stars come back to TAC Cup football late in the season after the completion of school football and have simply dominated opponents when at full strength.
The Chargers sent a warning sign to the Rays on Saturday, completely dominating the second-placed Gippsland Power to earn a spot in the big dance with a 93-point win.
The edge for the Rays is their connection – they have played together all season and whilst the Chargers have rushed back stars lately, Dandenong’s bond and willingness to work for one another is undeniable.
“It’s been a great year,” Dandenong Stingrays talent manager Mark Wheeler said after Saturday’s preliminary final win.
“This group is very tight and focused – they know what they want to achieve together. Now we have seven days to prepare for the biggest day for the club.”
The midfield battle will be absolutely crucial. Dandenong will need the likes of captain Campbell Hustwaite, Jai Taylor, Toby Bedford and Sam Fletcher to stand up.
Dandenong’s backline has been tremendous in 2018, smothering opponents and working as one to defend first and then catapult forward. Matthew Cumming, Daniel Frampton, Matthew Cottrell, Matthew Gahan and Will Hamill will undoubtedly have their hands full as they attempt to slow the Chargers rampaging attack.
The Rays’ two dominant bigs; Williams and Bowman loom as x-factors. If they can take the game by the scruff of the neck, Dandenong will be well placed to claim its first ever TAC Cup premiership.
