Stingray star Shane Wright was among the best players in the weekend’s game against the Murray Bushrangers.THE Dandenong Stingrays played two different halves of football on Saturday, losing their third game in a row to the Murray Bushrangers at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton in the round14 TAC Cup clash.
After a strong first half, the Stingrays went missing, losing by 21 points.
The Stingrays were down to 22 fit men to pick from as they ventured into enemy territory to take on the Bushrangers who had lost their past four games.
The private school players were again unavailable due to their commitments, but the Stingrays welcomed back captain Greg Bentley and included Justin Farrelly, Dean Williamson, Ben Crowe, Nick Bateman and firstgamer Ben Kelly into a side that was as flat as a tack.
The game started at a ferocious pace with both teams desperate to reverse their form slumps.
The Stingrays midfield of Nicholls, Scalzo, Ferraro, Carpenter and Tuck were providing plenty of drive, while Horaczko, Cook and Crowe were lively up forward and Gill, Wright and Kirkwood were on top of their highly rated Bushrangers forward opponents.
The Stingrays missed some easy shots on goal, but held sway by a creditable 10 points at half time.
The energy and passion that was lacking in the past two weeks seemed to return as the Stingrays physically attacked the ball and their opponents and looked to be well in control at the long break.
However all this disappeared after half time and if not for some wasted opportunities by the Bushrangers, the loss could have been greater.
Twentytwo scoring shots to six in the second half was a true indication of the total domination of the Bushrangers over the listless Stingrays.
The traits of the Stingrays during the past two weeks came back as they stopped tackling, running to support and taking the game on and capitulated during a very disappointing second half.
The only redeeming feature was the spirit shown in the first half, with the bus trip home watching the match video a humiliating experience.
Travis Tuck and Adam Kirkwood were the Stingrays only two winners on the day. Shane Wright, Ben Crowe, Justin Farrelly and Jay Austerberry tried hard, but only just broke even and Sam Gill and Jason Ferraro battled hard against quality opponents.
The Stingrays play a VFL curtain raiser against the Geelong Falcons at Kardinia Park next Saturday starting at 10.15am in what is a desperation game, if the Stingrays are to arrest their form slump.
Scores: Stingrays 10.10.70 lost to Bushrangers 12.19.91.
Goals: Ryan Cook 3, Sam Carpenter, Brad Scalzo, Travis Tuck, Ben Crowe, Nick Bateman, Brad Horaczko, Dean Williamson.
Best: Travis Tuck, Adam Kirkwood, Shane Wright, Ben Crowe, Justin Farrelly, Sam Gill, Jay Austerberry.
