12th July, 2025
One from two as Stingrays split results against Dragons
The second double header of the season for us saw both the girls and boys take on the Sandringham Dragons in Seaford – with the girls’ match getting underway at 11:30 in the morning.
After an array of forward stoppages for the Rays, Marlee Black broke through to slot the first goal of the game.
Both teams then traded possessions of play with neither able to make a significant impact on the scoreboard.
Alice Cunnington continued a good start with a snap goal in the sixteenth-minute.
Among the best on the day was Scarlett Marsh, rebounding strongly from defence and setting up multiple scoring opportunities in the front half – including our fourth goal through a set shot from Jasmine Whitten.
Right before the quarter-time siren, Evelyn Connolly got on the board for her first of the day.
We led by twenty-four points after one term.
It was more of the same in the second with Dandenong owning territory in the early parts of the quarter.
Matilda Argus intercepted a kick from a Sandringham player then finished impressively from the boundary to give us our fifth major.
Next it was Kiara Triep who banged home two goals in quick succession.
Connolly (20 disposals, eight marks) found her second shortly after to push the lead out even further.
Charlotte Gilmore patrolled the wing superbly all game.
One more goal before the half came through Jasmine Stephenson to make it a fifty-four-point advantage.
Despite the scoreboard, the Dragons were still bringing the fight and made us work hard.
Gabrielle Mehrmann received a free kick in the goal square and converted before Triep (16 disposals, four marks) found her third in the tenth minute.
Cunnington again loomed dangerous in the front half of the ground and added her second major from a set shot right on the siren.
It was another good quarter from the girls to see us lead by seventy-five points with one term to play.
Lily Snow opened the scoring in the last – with a little finish from a metre out.
Cunnington found her third soon after before Snow (19 disposals, six marks) kicked her second in just a few minutes.
Capping off a brilliant performance was Marsh (16 disposals) who goaled on the run in the eighteenth-minute to put us over the century mark for the third time this season.
Dandenong 16.7 (103) defeating Sandringham 0.2 (2) was the final score.
Argus led the way for touches once again with 26, while Indi Sherritt (22) was great in the midfield and Molly Reimers up forward for her 19 disposals.
They earn a week off before returning to action on the 27th against the Oakleigh Chargers at Warrawee Park.
Following the girls match, the boys took the field for their clash.
It was a different look in the opening bounce with Sam Lewis, Max Lee, and Jack Lawrence lining up as the followers.
The first couple of forward entries went to the Dragons, but it was Dylan Linden who got the scoreboard going with a free kick and fifty-metre-penalty, where he converted.
Adrian Cole was one who started the game well behind play.
Sandringham hit back with the next three majors to open up a lead.
Fresh off a Vic Country call-up, Jasper Russell was exceptional in the backline. Accumulating up the ground, working hard, and always being an option. He led all comers with 32 disposals and twelve marks.
Sixteen-year-old Cooper Kanngiesser was on debut, and made an early impression, taking a great intercept mark in the first term.
James Downward was also on debut for this game.
We fought back and eventually found our second through Andrio Sousa in the twenty-second minute, a checkside from close range.
Going into the first break, the Rays trailed by nine points.
The Dragons kicked the first two goals of the second and threatened to pull away.
We had some chances at goal in the middle stages of the quarter, but only minor scores.
Playing more behind the ball in this match, Gus Kennedy was brilliant. Ending the game with a season-high 27 disposals and seven rebound-50s.
Linden’s second major in the fifteenth-minute cut the margin down but, like most of the day, Sandringham answered.
Nearing the half time siren, Marcus Prasad gave us a spark by snapping truly on the run.
After two terms, we were down by fourteen points.
The Dandenong boys came out firing in the third quarter, and found some reward through Lawrence, who received a fifty-metre-penalty to make sure of a goal.
Some great hands from Prasad to Jackson Phillips for another goal levelled the scores.
Prasad (17 disposals) then kicked one of his own to give us the lead.
Again, the Dragons responded to level the scores and would eventually take a slim two-point lead into the final term.
They scored immediately in the last before Lawrence (18 disposals) finished on the run to hit back.
Unfortunately, Sandringham would put on the next three goals to stretch the margin back out.
A major to Louis Hodder in the eighteenth-minute gave us some hope but we ultimately couldn’t get over the line.
Dandenong 9.9 (63) defeated by Sandringham 12.11 (83) was the final score.
Lewis fought hard for his 22 touches, while Toby Sinnema (19) and Riley Hilliard (16) were also prominent. In just his second game of the season, Hunter Stephens was also very good.
Like the girls, the boys will get a week off before returning to action against the Oakleigh Chargers in another double header on the 27th of July.
Dandenong Southern Stingrays 