Stingrays vs Pioneers – May 24th, 2025
Lenny Roberts
Back on the winner’s list after last week, the boys were looking to back up an impressive win against the Bendigo Pioneers for round eight.
It was a standard winter’s day on Saturday afternoon with the clouds often covering the sun.
There was one new debutant: Kaie Sullivan, who got his chance.
Callum Smith, Gus Kennedy and Tyson Anic were the three midfielders lining up for the opening bounce, with Fraser Marino as the ruck.
It didn’t take long for the home side to get on the scoreboard.
With Thomas Hose slotting a set shot in the second minute after a nice assist from Kennedy.
That was quickly followed by an impressive finish from Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves who kicked truly from the sideline after a free kick.
Hose got involved again for his second in the term after a clean side-step and fake plus the finish on the run.
The Rays held an early lead after dominating territory and possession.
Bendigo managed to wrestle back some play in the middle stages of the quarter and would soon find their first.
Shortly after Dandenong responded through Marino who worked his way to the front of a short throw-in, broke a tackle and put home a wobbler from fifty out.
Louis Salopek then followed suit by goaling on the run before Lochie Commons made it six majors in the opening term.
A thirty-one-point advantage after one quarter.
Like most weeks, Charlie Orchard (14 disposals, six marks) was elite down back, in particular in the second term.
Hose once again was a presence inside the forward half, going back and slotting a set-shot for his third early on.
The visitors hit back with the next two majors to keep the game in balance.
On debut, Sullivan was ace, with an intercept mark and holding-the-ball tackle just moments apart – a highlight of the game.
Left-footer Henry Hayes got on the scoreboard for a goal after Marcus Prasad found him inside-fifty.
Wind then started to have an impact in the game with both teams struggling to move the ball and score for the rest of the half.
Adrian Cole (15 disposals, eight marks) was resolute down back. A physical beast that never got beat.
Dandenong led 8.3 (51) to 3.4 (22) at the main break.
As expected, the Pioneers came out firing in the second half, and were pressing.
But the Rays held strong and would put on the first two majors of the term.
The first coming through Anic who bursted through the contest and finished on the run.
The second off the boot of Hose who kicked his fourth.
Jasper Russell was electric off half-back, always providing an option for his teammates. He finished with a game-high 29 disposals.
Bendigo found a goal in the seventeenth-minute before the Rays slammed shut the door.
Booting two more goals to end the quarter.
JayDe Varlet (16 disposals, six tackles) joined in on the fun while Smith (26 disposals, six tackles) capped off a brilliant third term with a major to push the margin beyond fifty points nearing three-quarter-time.
With one term to play the visitors kicked four goals to one in the last to make the scoreboard look a little more respectable.
Darcy Szerszyn was a strong performer behind play, registering seven rebound-50’s.
Sullivan once again showcased his hustle and grit, smothering in the defensive fifty, which would’ve no doubt had the coaches buzzing.
The heat had well and truly gone out of the game at this point with both teams just looking to get through unscathed.
Some late reward came from Salopek who finished in front of goals with just seconds left.
A relatively comprehensive display saw Nick Cox’s side run out thirty-three-point victors, despite losing the inside-50 count, a true testament to the strong defence.
13.11 (89) to 8.8 (56) was the final scoreline.
The boys will be back in action this Saturday where they’ll take on the Tasmania Devils at Shepley Oval.
Dandenong Southern Stingrays 