By JARROD POTTER
YOUTH GIRLS CHALLENGE – SOUTHERN ROUND 1
ILLNESS, injury and over-possession proved the three prongs of Dandenong’s Youth Girls Challenge 2.3 (15) to 3.5 (23) defeat at the hands of Sandringham.
With eight first-choice players on the sidelines for injury or illness, it left the Stingrays no choice but to blood its rookies and hope for the best battling the Dragons.
Dandenong had more than enough of the ball despite the up-hill battle though.
Plenty of opportunities were generated by the midfield, but Dandenong recklessly booted away and gave Sandringham an endless stream of turnovers.
Dandenong then tackled Sandringham into oblivion to make amends for the miskicks, but were scarcely rewarded any free kicks for phenomenal pressure, run-down tackles or the Dragons constantly squandering prior opportunity.
As hard as the Stingrays would fight to gain possession, it would be for naught as the Dragons’ direct route to the scoreboard proved much more effective.
Neither side could muster much scoreboard pressure in the conditions at Frankston Park as both sides mopped up defensively when kicking against the howling gale.
But Sandringham endured, going as far to kick a goal against the buffeting sea-breeze in the second term and holding Dandenong scoreless in the final quarter.
Stingrays captain Georgia Walker – who was meant to be rested for this game, but was called in because of the numerous unavailable players – absolutely starred. Her efforts in the midfield caused headaches for the Dragons throughout the game and set up at least the first goal to Brooke Struylaart.
Soon after Sam Ryan marked and goaled to push Dandenong to a three-point margin, a gap that would be held throughout a deadlocked and scoreless third term.
In the best match up of the afternoon, Walker went toe-to-toe with All Australian and Vic Metro star Katherine Smith through the final term as the two showed no sign of easing up against each other.
The physicality stepped up another level across the board approaching the final siren as Dandenong barrelled in to the packs and forced Sandringham to up their intensity as well.
But Dandenong’s use of the ball didn’t amount to anything tangible score-wise, as the side mustered a single point even with the wind as Sandringham raced away to kick the two match-winning goals.
“We didn’t take our chances and I think their top end players – Katherine Smith, Isabel Huntington – were too good and a class above,” Stingrays coach Scott Gowans said.
“They really controlled the game and we really couldn’t control them.
“We really played the bottom end of our list – we had a lot of girls we wanted to see and weren’t sure of their positions, so we probably have nine players who would fit straight into our best 18.
“That’s a positive, but I thought their endeavour and pressure acts were good and when we played to our structure they actually moved the ball OK.”
The loss leaves Dandenong battling to stay alive in the finals race – part of the problem of a short-and-sharp season.
Dandenong now has a must win-match against Geelong Western on Saturday morning from 10am if the Stingrays stand any chance of making the top-team semi-finals.
Gippsland on the opposite hand had a thrilling come-from-behind win over Geelong Western to take the 5.6 (36) to 3.6 (24) victory.
DANDENONG STINGRAYS Goals: S. Ryan, B. Struylaart. Best: J. Grierson, G. Walker, E. Browning, B. Kennedy, S. Ryan, E. Rylance.
