Lenny Roberts
Tough night in Frankston as both sides go down
A hard fought clash saw our girls just edged out by a strong Oakleigh outfit, before the boys ran out of steam in the second half under lights.
It was a standard cool winter’s evening on Saturday with very little wind.
The girls match got underway at 4pm, with the visitors registering the first two majors at Kinetic Stadium.
Despite the scoreline, the pressure was there from the Rays, putting their opponents under duress and nailing tackles in all thirds of the ground.
We weathered the storm that was the Oakleigh attack before breaking through thanks to Molly Reimers, who goaled after a set shot in the nineteenth minute.
Matilda Argus was one who was influential around the ball.
Playing in front was Nalu Brothwell who took a strong mark inside-fifty right on the siren.
She kicked truly to cut the deficit to just three points at quarter-time.
It was a result the Rays faithful would have gladly taken.
The scoring dried up in the second, with the first major coming in the seventeenth minute. That through Evi Irving who strolled in on the goal off a scramble play.
Her first at the level put Dandenong in front.
Kiara Triep then goaled shortly after for our fourth.
A fantastic intercept mark by Gleeson Litchfield and then by Mizuki Brothwell both in the defensive half ensured no score for the Chargers nearing quarters end.
It was a ten-point advantage for the girls at halftime.
Dandenong started the third term well, applying the same amount of pressure as we saw in the opening forty minutes.
However, Oakleigh did kick the first of the third quarter.
Indi Sherritt was very good on the outside as was Marlee Black in the front half.
The visitors started to own some territory and as a result booted another to hit the front in the fourteenth minute.
Alice Cunnington was another who fought hard, playing more midfield this week.
She helped set up Triep who marked right in front of goal on the siren once again, she went back and slotted it.
Her second of the night gave us back the lead with one term to play.
The girls continued to press in the last with a couple of behinds early on.
Lily Snow was super impressive in the final term.
Oakleigh threatened to take back the lead. But some great build-up from the back half saw Sophie White get on the end of one to put home a major and give her side a ten-point buffer.
Unfortunately, the Chargers would go on to kick two in quick succession to hit the front.
The girls fought all the way to the end but ultimately came up just short.
6.5 (41) to 7.7 (49) was the final scoreline.
Argus and Snow led the way for touches with 20 each with Mizuki Brothwell (19) not far behind. Snow and Nalu Brothwell laid an impressive eleven tackles each, while Cunnington (8), Reimers (8), and Argus (7) dug deep too.
Gabrielle Mehrmann was also among the best playing in the backline.
They are back in action this Sunday against the Murray Bushrangers in Shepperton for round eleven.
For the boys, they were looking to make it four on the trot with a win.
The Chargers came out of the blocks firing, booting the first four majors of the contest to put us on the back foot early.
Darcy Szerszyn was one who started particularly well.
Even with the scoreboard flattering Dandenong, we were still having chances at goals, but inaccuracy was the issue.
Both Toby Sinnema and Callum Smith were heavily involved around the ball in the first term.
With the latter receiving a 50-metre penalty in the centre of the ground to put him in distance for a shot at goal. Smith went back and drilled our first of the game.
Like most weeks, Gus Kennedy was a pressure beast. Finishing with eleven tackles.
At the first break, we had registered one major along with six behinds to be trailing by thirteen points.
It was a better second term with us owning some territory early on.
Luca Tonner put through a major from close range to cut the margin.
Some dash from the back half from Charlie Orchard helped set up another major for the Rays. This one through Lochie Commons, a checkside from the boundary to give us the lead.
A beautiful finish on the run from Marcus Prasad shortly after gave his side some momentum.
Oakleigh hit back with one of their own in the twentieth minute.
On debut, Hunter Stephens cleverly boxed out his opponent to mark inside-fifty. The 16-year-old went back and snapped truly for a goal and Dandenong’s fifth.
The halftime siren followed soon after with the Stingrays leading by eight points.
It was all the Chargers in the third, who kicked three goals to zero.
A frustrating quarter for the yellow and black who had patches of play on their terms but were unable to do any major damage on the scoreboard.
With one term to play, we trailed by nine points.
Oakleigh kicked the first two of the last to push the margin out to twenty-two points in the eighth minute.
Benjamin Carroll did some nice things playing on-ball. And side-stepped his way to the goals to put through one soon after to keep the game in balance.
But, they responded with two majors quickly to just about put the game away.
A rare goal from Orchard after taking advantage was a highlight of the term. The 190cm defender was first-class all night.
Eventually, the Chargers proved too strong, running out 13.5 (83) to 7.14 (56) winners.
Smith never stopped trying for his 29 disposals and seven tackles, Russell collected 22 touches while Sinnema had 21 of his own. JayDe Varlet was also worthy with 17 disposals.
Like the girls, the boys will be up in Shepperton to take on the Bushrangers on Sunday.
Dandenong Southern Stingrays 