Stingrays stung by the best

THE TAC Cup season of the Dandenong Stingrays came to a positive end despite a 52point loss to the one of the best TAC Cup teams in the competition’s history.
The North Ballarat Rebels are on top of the TAC Cup ladder, undefeated with a percentage of about 200, and were too slick for the Stingrays at North Ballarat Oval last Saturday.
The Stingrays’ commitment to the task and attack on the ball were unquestioned as they pushed the Rebels from start to finish. The only thing that let them down was their disposal, by hand and foot, under pressure. Too often the Stingrays gave up possession through lack of skill and were hurt on the rebound as the clean and slick Rebels were able to pinpoint their team mates upfield.
The Stingrays can look forward to season 2007 with a lot of confidence, having played 49 different players for the season and with a lot of bottomage players getting game time.
Some of those 17yearolds have shown that with another preseason under the belt they may step up to the required TAC Cup standard. Scott Simpson again excelled at centre half forward, kicking six goals and dominating the aerial contests.
Russell Gabriel took on the highly rated Brown brothers and won his position easily. James Magner worked tirelessly in the midfield, Luke Clark was competitive across half forward and Mitch Bosward had his best game for the year as a small defender. Matt Robinson tried hard on the wing and Trent Shinners played with plenty of energy in the ruck.
The next three weeks at the Stingrays is devoted to their underage squads with under14s, under15s, under16s and under17s all trying to secure places on the Stingrays preseason lists.
The preseason will start early in November and local coaches who’d like to be involved over summer in coaching the Stingrays TAC Cup squad or underage squads before their own clubs start training should contact the Stingrays on 9791 8656.
Score: Rebels 18.12.120 d Stingrays 11.2.68.
Goals: Scott Simpson 6, Luke Clark 2, Ricky Harley, Khalid Foggi, Matt Robinson 1.
Best: Scott Simpson, Russell Gabriel, Luke Clark, James Magner, Mitch Bosward, Matt Robinson.