By BRAD McGRATH
DANDENONG Stingrays squandered a lead to lose to Gippsland Power by four points at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
The Stingrays went into the final term leading by 10 points but the gutsy Power booted three goals to one to win 11.12(78) to 11.8(74).
Skipper Jason Pongracic continued his strong form since returning from injury and Nick Newman was also a strong performer for the Stingrays but a number of players failed to have an impact in the crucial final term.
Regional manager Mark Wheeler said the Stingrays had a few unlucky moments that swung the game against them.
“Halfway through the last quarter we were about 15 points up,” Wheeler said. “They got a few lucky free kicks and then a few undisciplined plays cost us in the end.”
The Stingrays’ third term had given them a handy jump over the opposition and they booted 5.4 to 1.3 to put themselves in charge.
“They had possession of the ball in the last quarter and we just ran out of legs and they came over the top of us,” Wheeler said. “Gippsland are a big and physical side – the boys are all pretty sore at the moment.”
The Stingrays were well served by Josh Newman and Matt Rennie’s strong form continued. Ruckman Agape Patolo also impressed, with the Stingrays’ midfielders receiving good service from the 196cm youngster.
The Stingrays will welcome their A-graders in the coming weeks, including likely No. 1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield. “It’s school holidays, so we will have all of them back this week,” Wheeler said.
The Stingrays failed to use the scoring end well in the opening term and were leading by just one point at the first change. By half-time the Power had taken control of the contest.
Jack Soroczynski carried on with his strong form with three majors to take his tally to 12 from four matches.
Jordan Bastinac was outstanding and Tyle Williams and Tim McGenniss were important in the Stingrays’ rally in the third term.
The Stingrays clash with Sandringham Dragons at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
■ Stingrays stars Lachie Whitfield and Taylor Garner have been named in the all-Australian team after starring for Vic Country at the national championships.
Whitfield, from Mornington, was also crowned the Larke Medallist for the best-and-fairest in division 1.
Garner has been named as a forward and Whitfield heads an exciting crop of midfielders expected to be drafted. The unlucky omission for the Stingrays was Nathan Wright after a dominant second half off the half-back flank against South Australia on Wednesday.
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