By Russell Bennett
A full-strength Dandenong Stingrays outfit withstood an impressive final quarter push from the Northern Knights at Shepley Oval on Saturday to come away eventual 29-point winners, 14.5(89) to 8.12(60).
The impressive depth of the Rays’ list has been on display all season, but on Saturday the side showed just what it was capable of with a full arsenal of weapons at its disposal.
With 10 changes from Round 12, the Rays led all game before holding on for a near five-goal win after tiring in the last.
They led by 46 points at three-quarter time before the Knights charged their way back gallantly in the last.
TAC Cup mainstays Luke Davies-Uniacke, Oscar Clavarino, Hunter Cark, Mason De Wit and Bailey Morrish were all particularly influential for the Rays, while Riley D’Arcy finished with four goals and provided a real target inside 50.
Co-captains Clavarino and Josh Bateman were stellar in defence for Dandenong, while the likes of Jesse Davies and Angus Paterson also stood strong against the Knights’ forwards.
“The game really could have gone either way in the end – we were fortunate enough to get across the line today due to the work rate in the first half, and that gives the boys some real confidence as we come to the back end of the TAC Cup season, ” Stingrays coach Craig Black told the club’s website post-match.
“With 10 changes you never know what to expect – it’s the first time since Round 1 we’ve been able to basically pick from our full list.
“The focus the boys are bringing each week, no matter who plays, is very impressive.”
The last quarter saw the Stingrays go in with two less players with De Wit gone for the day with a back injury, while Aiden Bonar’s day was over due to pre-planned game time.
Bonar was responsible for one of the day’s biggest highlights when the youngster, who has missed the past two years dealing with some major injuries, marked strongly and kicked truly from 35 metres to register the first goal of the game barely two minutes into the contest. His team mates mobbed him, showing just what his return meant to both he and the group.
But by contrast the Knights slotted four last-quarter goals to just two from the Stingrays, who were down on rotations.
Still, the victory puts the Stingrays in good stead, effectively securing a finals spot before enjoying a week off due to the TAC Cup bye.
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 4.1 8.2 12.5 14.5(89)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS 1.2 1.6 4.7 8.12(60)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS
GOALS: R. D’Arcy 4, L. Davies-Uniacke 2, A. Bonar, F. Bayne, J. Taylor, J. Nanscawen, R. Bowman, J. Plumridge, L. Young, T. Dekoning.
BEST: O. Clavarino, J. Davies, R. D’Arcy, A. Paterson, L. Davies-Uniacke, M. Riordan.
NORTHERN KNIGHTS
GOALS: P. Naish 2, P. Della Rocca 2, N. Coffield, O. Wilson, M. Harman, S. Binion.
BEST: O. Wilson, A. Federico, M. Baker, P. Della Rocca, T. McKenzie, R. Bowkett.
