By Hayley Wildes
It wasn’t easy, but when the game was there to be won, the Dandenong Stingrays answered the challenge and claimed their 10th win on the trot in typically tough Ballarat conditions on Saturday afternoon against the Geelong Falcons.
The Falcons came out firing and had the Rays on the back foot as their aggressive attack on the ball paid dividends early. Uncharacteristically, the Rays were unable to lock down in defence and at quarter time, trailed by three goals to one.
Dandenong peppered the goals but couldn’t convert its early second quarter dominance, and when Oscar Brownless kicked truly at the 16-minute mark of the term, the Falcons held a two-goal lead.
Second-gamer Cody Weightman slotted a set shot from a tight angle – his first goal in TAC Cup footy – with just over four minutes remaining in the term to give the Rays an important lift heading into half-time.
The Rays finally kicked into gear in the third term, playing the type of attacking and ruthless football fans have become accustomed to this season.
The leaders stood up as Campbell Hustwaite and Bailey Williams took control of the game. Hustwaite continued to throw his body at the footy relentlessly and did plenty of heavy lifting at stoppages.
Dandenong owned the third term; holding the Falcons goalless, while scoring three of their own. Majors to Zac Foot, Sam Sturt and Finlay Bayne had the Rays 12 points up at the final break.
The fourth quarter was a battle of attrition as neither team was able to score the goal they so desperately craved. That was until Falcon – and possible number one pick – Sam Walsh stepped to the fore and put through a classy goal from just inside 50, reducing the margin to six points.
With the game on a knife’s edge, the crowd was treated to the ‘Sam Sturt Show’ in the final three-and-a-half minutes.
In just his second game of TAC Cup footy, the surprise-packet forward proved to be the game-winner. Two goals – a roving snap, followed by a set shot after out-marking two opponents – in less than two minutes gave the Rays an 18-point win, 7.13 (55) to 5.7 (37).
Captain Campbell Hustwaite, Lachlan Young and Bailey Williams impressed, while Sam Sturt’s three second-half goals were ultimately the difference.
The Rays (14-1), who boast a 10-game winning streak and the minor premiership, incredibly haven’t lost a game since April.
In what should be a great test on the eve of the finals, Dandenong faces the third-placed Sandringham Dragons at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday morning.
