Stingrays grounded by Jets. The Dandenong Southern Stingrays TAC Cup round 10 game was played at Shepley Oval, Dandenong which was another very disappointing defeat for the Stingrays against cross town rivals the Western Jets. The Stingrays were without Matthew Buntine, Todd Elton, Jordan Kelly, Piva Wright and Lachie Whitfield were all rested for the NAB AFL Vic Country games next week but the inclusions of Jason Pongracic, Nick Haynes and Alex Benbow should have been enough to cover the younger and inexperienced Jets. The game was horrible from the start with the Stingrays kicking with a 3 plus goal breeze. The Jets matched the Stingrays with inside 50’s and hit the scoreboard for 2 very important goals. Brett O’Hanlon started the day strongly and continued to do so for the remainder kicking 5 majors. Goals to Jake Calvert and Jason Pongracic from strong marks and a good crumbing goal to Dale Sutton saw the first term end with the Rays leading 21 to 14. There were some early signs that the Stingrays may finish the day stronger with their fitness, but the second term was a nightmare. The second saw a few costly errors and undisciplined 50’s which cost the Stingrays dearly on the day. The Jets started in blistering pace and kicked 6 goals 2 points from 13 inside 50’s, whilst the Rays only managed 1 goal 1 point from 8 inside 50’s. The half time margin of 24 points had the Stingrays still in the game on the scoreboard but they had many players well below the standard and once again lacking spark and leadership. To make things worse first gamer Scott Durdin went down in the first few minutes of the quarter with a terrible arm fracture and a minute later Nick Tuddenham sustained a leg injury and would be restricted for the remainder of the game. The Jets ended the term with full of run, whilst the Rays looked lost and out of their depth. The third term was a better quarter for the Stingrays after they received a good old fashion measured spray by Stingrays Coach Graeme Yeats at half time. The spray worked as the team seemed to work better defensively and they were able to control Western for most of the quarter. The wind had picked up dramatically but a slip in concentration allowed the Jets to score two valuable goals against the flow. Strong work across the half back line by Robert Hill, Corey Buchan and Nathan Wright set up numerous counter attack scoring options for the Stingrays with the strong breeze, with Brett O’Hanlon having a dynamite quarter kicking 4 straight goals. Nick Haynes who was now playing up the ground a little higher was starting to be dangerous by foot, Alex Benbow and Mitch Viney were working a lot harder through the middle and the Ruck duo of Jake Calvert and Stuart Damon were giving the mids first use, but also exerting themselves around the ground. The intensity had lifted and the Stingrays seemed to except the challenge and fitness seemed to be leaning towards the Stingrays as the quarter ended with the margin at 5 points in favour of the Jets with many of their players cramping and feeling the effects of not having a game for 3 weeks. The final term was a chance for the Stingrays to finish off their hard work, but as what happened too many times this year they allowed the Western Jets scored the first major, even though the ball was inside Stingrays 50 for the first 5 minutes. But to the credit of the group they weren’t letting the Jets run away with it. Hard running and good inside work from the entire midfield group saw a valuable goal to Max Gearon and looked like the Stingrays might run away with it. Opportunities presented themselves to the Stingrays to close out the game but tight defensive work by the Jets and pitiable delivery into the forward line and undisciplined play allowed the Jets to take the game by 22 point. Coach Graeme Yeats was disillusioned that they were only able to score 1 goal each term against the breeze but allow Jets to score 2 goals each term against it. Yeats said, “We were beaten against a team who wanted the ball more than us, it’s as simple as that. We had four separate incidents that resulted in 12 point plays…we should have been having a shot on goal, but undisciplined acts gave the Jets the ball and they made us pay, as most good teams will.” He went on to say “We delivered the ball a lot better this week into our forwards which was pleasing, but defensively we must learn to work harder for longer periods of time.” He added “It was tough conditions for both teams today, but the Jets adapted quicker and were able to capitalize more efficiently with their forward entries. We had two 17 year olds who played their first game, both were very serviceable…we will continue to develop and fast track those players who are ready and we feel will help us be more competitive on the field.” Next weekend the Stingrays play Calder Cannons at Highgate Reserve, Craigeburn for the TAC Cup round 11 on Saturday 2nd July at 11.00am. Entry is Free. The Stingrays will also have 8 players to suit up for Vic Country who take on Western Australia on Friday 1st July at Skilled Stadium which are AFL AIS players Todd Elton, Matt Buntine and Lachie Whitfield who will be joined by Alec Benbow, Jason Pongracic, Jordan Kelly, Piva Wright, and Brett O'Hanlon Scores: Dandenong Stingrays 3-3 4-4 9-5 10-8-68 Western Jets 2-2 8-4 10-4 14-6-90 Stingrays Goal Kickers: Brett O’Hanlon 5, Jason Pongracic 2, Jake Calvert, Max Gearon and Dale Sutton. Stingrays Best Players: Brett O’Hanlon, Nathan Wright, Jason Pongracic, Alex Benbow, Nick Tuddenham, Rory Luxton Major Sponsors: Corporate Sponsors: Contributing Sponsors: End. The Dandenong Stingrays are a founding member of the TAC Cup competition and in the 19 years of the competition have appeared in 16 finals series and have had 78 players drafted onto AFL club lists. Season 2010 has seen all manner of records broken by the club and are well placed to once again appear prominently in 2011. For further information please contact Region Manager Mark Wheeler on [email protected] or 03 9791 8656. .