Dandenong have marched back onto the winner’s list, outgunning Queensland in an emphatic 45-point victory at Shepley Oval as Anna Harrington reports.
Despite Queensland pressing early, the Stingrays put their foot down in the second half, kicking eight goals to two, running out 14.13.97 to 8.4.52 winners.
Tough defender Piva Wright was best on ground as Dandenong’s back six dominated, while Brett O’Hanlon and Jake Calvert both performed down the other end with three goals apiece.
Clay Cameron led the way for the Maroons, kicking three majors for the day, while big man Fraser Thurlow performed solidly as a hit-up target across half-forward.
Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats said while there was still visibly room for improvement, his team’s consistency was the most promising aspect of the match, citing his defence as the key to the win.
“We’re rapt with today,” Yeats said.
“I thought last week we were a bit inconsistent with our efforts [but] today I thought we played four, strong workrate quarters.
“We’re trying to break it down and be consistent in lots of areas [and] in the areas that were critical we thought we did well.”
Though Queensland got off to a dream start, kicking the first two goals of the game, Dandenong soon steadied, kicking four goals to one to finish the quarter leading 4.2.28 to 3.0.18.
The Stingrays lifted the tempo early in the second quarter before the Maroons pulled back into contention, even hitting the front at one stage.
With Queensland up by a point, Dale Sutton marked inside 50, duly converting to put Dandenong back in front, though the Stingrays were unable to take advantage of the switch in momentum, kicking three behinds to go into the main break ahead 6.10.46 to 6.2.38.
O’Hanlon opened the third quarter scoring with a beautiful long kick from fifty metres out on a tight angle, clearing the last line of defence and giving the Stingrays a 14-point breathing space.
Aaron Laskey replied with a monster kick that bounced through to cut the deficit to nine with Queensland’s only major for their quarter, Dandenong kicking away with three goals to the Scorpions’ two minor scores.
Adam Giobbi provided a highlight for the Stingrays as he received a quick handball in a packed forwardline and snapped truly for his first goal of the afternoon.
Jackson Dalton’s soccer goal capped off an excellent third quarter by the home side, Dandenong entering the three quarter time huddle buoyant and ahead 10.13.73 to 7.4.46.
At the final change, Yeats emphasised the importance of a four-quarter effort and said he simply wanted his team to “run out the game” after an excellent third term performance.
Queensland drew first blood in the final quarter, Dalton Tucker pinpointing a pass to Cameron amongst a heavily congested forwardline, the latter kicking truly for his third goal of the day.
But from then on it was all Dandenong, the Stingrays kicking four unanswered goals, Billy Rolfe, Dalton, Jason Pongracic and Adam Giobbi all converting in an authoritative final-quarter performance.
The play of the quarter came through Dalton, who received a short kick from Travis Bravo then cleverly switched to Pongracic, who marched into the forwardline and assertively slammed the ball between the posts.
Giobbi’s second goal was the final score of the game, the 45-point margin largely representative of the Stingrays’ dominant second half performance.
Queensland coach David Ashkar said while his team had shown visible improvement, their second half fadeout was disappointing.
“It was an improvement on last week and I reckon halfway through that third quarter we were right in the game,” Ashkar said.
“We dropped off, we moved a few players around and we lost a bit of structure there.
“So I think we need to improve in that area [though] we’ve got the three AIS boys coming back next week which will… bolster our side up a bit.”
This week the Stingrays head to Preston to take on the Northern Knights, while Queensland will return to the Sunshine State for their match against Calder, both teams set to benefit from a seven day break.
Last Modified on 10/05/2011 16:28