Rays demolish Chargers

Luca Goonan was impressive in NAB League action on Saturday. 192826 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Hayley Wildes

The Dandenong Stingrays scored a goal with their first inside 50 of the game and it was a sign of things to come as they completely blew away the Oakleigh Chargers at Shepley Oval on Saturday.

Despite an even first quarter, the Rays put the foot down after quarter time as Ned Cahill (three goals) and Luca Goonan got heavily involved. The pair were sublime in a dominant second quarter that saw Dandenong slam on eight goals to one.

After setting up the opening goal of the game, Cahill slotted his first major of the day 30 seconds into the second term and it kick-started a stunning 25 minutes of play by the Rays.

With slick ball movement and a thirst for the contested ball, Dandenong looked irresistible as Cahill, Goonan and Jack Toner ruled around the contest.

The eight-goal to one term was finished off perfectly when Lachlan Williams (three goals) booted a long set shot goal after the siren.

A 44-point half-time lead wasn’t enough for the Rays and despite kicking just two goals in the third term, they built on their lead by holding the Chargers to just one goal. The play of Sam De Koning in defence was eye-catching as he looked composed with ball in hand.

The final term was free-flowing as both teams’ offences took over. With Oakleigh putting on four goals in the fourth, the Stingrays answered every time with a goal of their own and finished with seven majors for the term.

Dandenong ran out massive 70-point winners, 19.10 (124) to 8.6 (54). It was yet another display of ruthless Dandenong football.

Ned Cahill (game-high 24 disposals and three goals) was a class above with his incredibly clean hands and ball-winning ability, while Jack Toner (21 disposals) came into his own in the second half as did Mitch Riordan.

Lachlan Williams (three goals and seven marks) was a massive presence up forward, and Jai Nanscawen and Bigoa Nyuon impressed.

Dandenong sits fourth on the ladder with three wins and a draw. Round 6 sees the Rays head up to Brisbane to take on the Brisbane Lions Academy.