By JARROD POTTER
WELCOME to the big league.
It was a harsh arrival for the Dandenong Stingrays as the visitors were shown little hospitality in a 5.9 (39) to 14.10 (94) Gippsland-style dissection.
The Power was well-and-truly on while the Stingrays floundered – as lateral switches in the defensive end and a shocking kicking efficiency proving lethal for Dandenong throughout the clash.
The switching and kicking left little doubt to the crowd who was in charge as Dandenong’s lack of football acumen was inverted by the Power, who worked to the fall of the ball, fought for each other and made a contest of every stoppage.
Dandenong held on throughout the first term – snaring the early lead through skipper Lachlan Williams (two goals) and fresh-faced forward Josh Battle (two goals) – before the Power took the lead and refused to give it back for the rest of the afternoon.
Defender Brandon White was positive early – affecting a number of spoils across centre-half-back – but would be brought back to earth, like the majority of his team mates, in an overwhelming display of Gippsland’s power.
The home side flexed its muscles through the second term – restricting Dandenong to a dying minutes’ goal from Battle while at the other end booting four of their own as Nick Argento (two goals) snuck under the packs and worked his way onto the scoreboard.
Bailey Rice (hip) didn’t return to the match after half-time and the Stingrays were left with no bench in the last quarter as cramp and fatigue decimated coach Craig Black’s rotations.
Dandenong would be held goal-less in the final term but it could’ve been a lot worse as Gippsland’s only error of the day came from its 10 behinds – missing easy-enough chances in front of goals.
Bluntly assessing a poor performance, Black had little praise for his side who were well and truly smashed from pillar-to-post by the Power.
“It was really disappointing,” Black said.
“I think all our preparation had been going alright… to turn up and dish out a performance like that is pretty ordinary from the group.”
Dandenong had a hard time finding a best six throughout the mediocre effort, but Harry Prior, Battle and White proved best afield while the captain also kept his cool to affect the contest and continued to toil for the Stingrays in the despondent display.The Power’s Ben Ainsworth (five goals) and leaping Harry McKay (four goals) had the ball on a tether while Tate Marsh and Deven Costigan proved elite in the first run-around of the season.
“It was pleasing as a team effort as it wasn’t one or two individuals,” coach Leigh Brown said.
“We’ve worked pretty hard over the last few weeks since we narrowed the squad down, to really bring the guys closer together as a group, and it showed today (Saturday).
“I thought their pressure and their defence was really good today and it set up the win.”
Gippsland hosts Murray in a Good Friday blockbuster from 1pm while Dandenong faces Geelong Falcons at Shepley Oval on Easter Saturday from 1pm.
TAC CUP
GIPPSLAND 3.2 7.6 11.6 14.10 (94)
DANDENONG 2.2 3.3 5.6 5.9 (39)
GIPPSLAND Goals: B. Ainsworth 5, H. McKay 4, N. Argento 2, C. Ambler, E. Park, D. Costigan. Best: T. Marsh, D. Costigan, B. Ainsworth, H. McKay, C. Buykx-Smith, L. Riseley.
DANDENONG Goals: J. Battle 2, L. Williams 2, M. Poholke. Best:, H. Prior, J. Battle, B. White, L. Williams, L. Myatt, K. Mutimer.
