TAC CUP
PREVIEW – ROUND 14
Dandenong Stingrays v Gippsland Power
Saturday 29 July – Frankston Oval – 2pm
By Nick Creely
The Dandenong Stingrays will return to the bayside for the second time this season after going down to Sandringham by 21-points back in April.
At the time of this particular loss, the ‘Rays were bereft of confidence and struggling to find their winning formula.
But right now, they couldn’t be in a better position for not only a top two spot, but a chance at their inaugural flag in this competition.
The Stingrays are virtually assured a finals spot no matter the results of the final five rounds.
Their last five matches have netted victories against Northern Knights by 29-points, Calder Cannons by 23-points, Western Jets by 76-points, Murray Bushrangers by two-points and Bendigo by 43-points.
But it’s the way they’re winning that’s most impressive – they have been ruthless in their pressure and clinical with their delivery and attack.
Saturday provides a challenge against one of their great rivals – Gippsland Power – a side that always gives it all and pushes the Stingrays to the limit.
In their last four encounters, the ‘Rays have managed to claim the four points, yet the average winning margin of these games is just 14 points – a small margin considering they meet each other twice a year.
Although the Power are unlikely to be featuring in the 2017 finals series, Stingrays coach Craig Black remains wary of the boys from Morwell.
“Our games against Gippy are always really competitive regardless of the position on the ladder – we know that they’re physical and prepared to take the game on so we need to be at our best,” he said.
“The Power had a tough game last week against Eastern, but they have pushed some great sides in the last month, and you can’t do that if you’re not playing good footy.
“They’re ability to defend is great, and they’re always strong around the footy so we’ll definitely have to match them in that area.”
With finals on the horizon, Black sees the match as another perfect opportunity to showcase a game style he is confident will hold up in a big last month.
“We want to just keep playing a good brand of footy and to showcase the skills of our kids while still winning games – we want to bring form into finals because it’s a big step up,” he said.
With conditions always windy down at Frankston, Black said that the key on Saturday will be to just stick to the basic processes of footy.
“We did all our pre-season at Frankston, and the ground is obviously a little bit different to Shepley – but we’ll stay focused on just winning the footy and keeping control of the ball,” he said.
The Stingrays will be without co-captain Oscar Clavarino, star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke and Aiden Bonar, who have school football commitments with Haileybury, but have recalled big name players Tom Murphy, Dylan Morris and Darcy Hope. The Power loses star playmakers Will Stephenson and Changkuoth Jiath but regain Aiden Quigley, Irving Mosquito and Travis Bindley. Boom youngster Caleb Serong has also been named in his first TAC Cup match for Gippsland.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Back in Round 1 down at Morwell Recreation Reserve, a fast starting ‘Rays held off the Power by 16-points in warm conditions. After taking a 17-point lead into quarter time, the ‘Rays staved off several challenges by the Power to claim the four points. Rowville youngster Dylan Morris was outstanding with four goals in the victory, while Power’s Sean Masterson was excellent all day.
KEY PLAYERS: Rowville product Riley D’Arcy has been a shining light up forward for the Stingrays all season, kicking 27 goals from his 11 matches (fourth in the competition). He kicked three back in Round 1 against the Power, and could be in for a big day once more. His impressive contested marking and lovely set shot technique will trouble the Power. For Gippsland, the reliance on Officer sensation Cal Porter is massive. Averaging almost double digits in tackles, Porter provides the contested grunt in the midfield and needs to be at his best to combat a power packed Stingrays midfield glittered with talent likely to be on AFL lists come next season.
PREDICTION: Dandenong Stingrays by 25 points.
