By Tyler Lewis
“I don’t think anyone would like to play us put it that way.”
Three weeks ago, Dandenong Stingrays coach Nick Cox sent a warning to the competition about his side come finals time.
After knocking off the Murray Bushrangers in the first round of the post season – that message has been received.
Cody Weightman booted the Rays first from a set shot before youngster Connor MacDonald kicked his first goal in the Dandenong colours, with teammates running from all over the ground to get around the 16-year-old from Doveton – the liveliness of the group was evident.
It didn’t take long for the Rays to add another, this time through a coast-to-coast goal from Ned Cahill who was only settling in for his monster day.
When Clayton Gay juggled a mark and converted the goal, Dandenong scooted out to a handy buffer.
But it didn’t take long for the Bushrangers to respond and test the demons of the past losses within the Stingrays by clinching the lead on the stroke of half time.
The game broke open through a clinical premiership term by the reigning premiers that proved the difference between the two sides on the scoreboard at the end of the day.
As the siren sounded for the final term, Dandenong led by 14 points – less than 10 seconds later the Rays led by 20 as Cahill taught his opponent a lesson in staying goal side of the livewire with a crafty running goal from a pack spillage inside 50.
The Rays snapped a losing streak in the most important time of the year and Cox has belief that not a lot has changed from the side that sat on top of the ladder at the mid-way point of the season.
“I was really pleased for the boys, they tried their guts outs and really executed the plans we put in place during the week,” he said.
“It was a good result to get another opportunity to get a final in front of the people that matter.
“We had a few discussions during the week as a group of what we could do a little bit better.
“I suppose and simplistic as it is, putting our words into actions.
“We had a really fun and enjoyable week, credit to the boys they got themselves up in a good NAB League game of footy.
“Only difference was we had more winners than players who played below par.
“I think a lot of teams will realise we have a lot of good players in our side and if we can execute what we want to do and how we want to do it as well as we did on Sunday, I think a few teams will might be weary of us.”
16-year-old Connor MacDonald kicked his first goal for the Stingrays after stringing some strong performances for Doveton together at senior level – Cox said MacDonald was among a lot of winners on the ground on Sunday.
“It was great Connor kicking his first goal,” he said.
“Connor kicked his first goal and everyone got around him, the backs run up and it was really great to see we had a lot of energy around the group.
“He has had a couple games now at the elite level two years out of his age group and he has had some really good moments.
“Hopefully he can improve over the next couple of years and make himself a really consistent good NAB League footballer.
“Ned (Cahill) was really good; I think everyone was reminded with what Ned can actually do when his work rate is up.
“3.3 And a couple of score assists plus 20 odd touches as a small forward is a great effort.
“Luca Goonan was great in the midfield as was Will Lewis, Jack Toner and the skipper Hayden Young off half back were – our leaders stood up on the weekend and we got the result we desired.”
