Dandy Stingrays hog the ground

By Paul Pickering
THE Dandenong Stingrays starred in their own production of Groundhog Day on the way to a 33-point victory over Sandringham on Saturday.
Returning to Coburg City Oval for the second consecutive weekend, the Stingrays kicked the exact same score, 13.11 (89), as they had in the previous round’s win over Calder.
On that occasion the Rays were led admirably by skipper Luke Parker, experienced defenders Jake Batchelor and Riley Heddles and key forward Tom Lynch.
Nothing changed on Saturday.
That quartet were again the driving force behind Dandenong’s workmanlike performance against the fifth-placed Dragons, but this time they had to come from 11 points down at the first break.
Lynch and emerging ruckman Daniel Harrison were among the catalysts for the Rays in the second term, overpowering the Dragons’ defence and shifting the momentum in their side’s favour.
Harrison drifted forward to kick two of Dandenong’s nine goals for the term, capitalising on the stoppage work of Batchelor, who relished his stint in the engine room.
Sandringham manage only a single scoring shot – albeit a goal – in the second quarter as the Rays surged to a 27-point half-time advantage.
The Dragons had the better of a see-sawing third term, but lacked the firepower to sustain a threatening rally.
Midfielder Jarryd Lyons (three goals) was Sandringham’s only multiple goal-kicker, while Corey Buchan (four), Harrison (three) and Parker (two) led the way for the Rays.
Parker, who had 31 disposals and a team-leading seven tackles, was the most influential player on the ground.
He had plenty of support from Batchelor (25 disposals), Curren (22), Alex Benbow (23) and Nathan Allen (20).
Dandenong also blooded first-gamers Jason Pongracic and Robbie Hill, who collected 10 possessions apiece in promising debuts.
The result put third-placed Dandenong three wins clear of fifth spot, therefore securing the double chance with two rounds to play in the regular season.
The TAC Cup breaks for a competition bye this weekend, but the Rays will be expected to record a percentage-boosting win when they host Greater Western Sydney on Saturday 14 August.