By Lachlan Mitchell
Dandenong Stingrays continued their winnings ways with a gallant win over the Brisbane Lions academy players.
The Stingrays got the best possible start skipping out to a 34-point quarter-time lead.
The Lions clawed their way back into the contest trailing by 23 points at the main break.
The Stingrays survived a bit of a scare in the third quarter to ward off a potential comeback.
The side fighting back winning by 20 points.
Stingrays coach Nick Cox was pleased with his side’s ability to hold their own after suffering from facing a formidable opponent.
“The boys were pretty sharp to kick the game off,” he said.
“Brisbane grinded their way back into it, we were challenged a few times, the pleasing part is we responded well and got ourselves into the game.
“It was pleasing to show our resilience. Brisbane put a lot of pressure on us and executed well. We gave them a bit of space going forward and our defenders sort of lagged off.”
Mitch Szybkowski was once against dominant picking up 29 disposals.
“There’s no surprise with Mitch and a lot of our other on-ballers, they have worked really hard in the pre-season to give themselves a chance of being clean and sharp with their ball use,” Cox said.
Jaxon Binns also stepped up kicking three goals.
“He gives pretty good separation when he’s on the lead and can mark when he finds space.” Cox said.
“Jaxon does have the ability to have an impact up the ground as well with his running and can move into the midfield.”
Cox was also very pleased with the energy of his players around the ball.
“Jai Culley looked a class-above once again and his ability to hit the scoreboard,” he said.
“Nick Collier played midfield and went forward. His energy around the ball and his execution with the ball was good.
“Harry Collopy, who has just come into the program four weeks ago, his aerial work has been good.”
Gippsland Power also got a good win on Sunday afternoon.
The Power quickly got on top of the Western Jets in the first quarter kicking eight goals to two in the first quarter to lead by 40 at quarter-time.
The Power then took their foot of the pedal and which saw the Jets kick six goals in the second quarter.
The Power only led by four at the main break.
The game got increasingly more uncomfortable for the Power in the third quarter as they led by two points going into the final break.
Gippsland kicked away in the last quarter to win by 15 points.
Jonti Schuback kicked three goals and had 20 disposals to help his side over the line. Gippsland had five individual goal-scorers.
