DANDENONG Stingrays bounced back onto the winners list with a 28-point win over Bendigo at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday afternoon. A dominant first half saw the Stingrays pile on 12 goals to four, setting the platform for their victory before a third quarter response from the Pioneers.

The home side fought back with five goals to one out of the main break, but could not match Dandenong’s firepower for much longer. With a raft of Vic Country trialists and squad hopefuls in the mix, we took note of the top prospects and performers from both sides.

BENDIGO PIONEERS 2.2 | 4.5 | 9.6 | 13.11 (89)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 6.3 | 12.5 | 13.7 | 18.9 (117)

GOALS:
Bendigo Pioneers: O. Cail 3, A. Lancaster 3, J. Bell 2, T. Griffin, L. McNamara, C. O’ Sullivan, C. Poyser, R. Travaglia
Dandenong Stingrays: D. Linden 4, M. Toner 3, Z. Hamer 2, C. Stuart 2, N. Wisken 2, B. Carroll, B. Dixon, B. Gibson, C. Roberts, A. Sousa

BEST:
Bendigo Pioneers: S. Brown, B. Warfe, C. O’Sullivan, T. Griffin, M. Thompson, R. Travaglia
Dandenong Stingrays: B. Carroll, B. Gibson, C. White, N. Wisken, H. Egan, C. Stuart

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#4 Cruz O’Sullivan
Wing/Midfielder | 183cm | 04/12/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

O’Sullivan covered plenty of ground on Sunday, playing most of the game on the wing before a late run on-ball. He tracked up and down the line, working hard to outnumber and provide support off the contest. The top-ager looked dangerous when able to receive, drive his legs and kick with venom, making for plenty of productive transitional passages. O’Sullivan’s clean hands and ability to slip tackles made him difficult to contain, as did his running power. He got reward for effort late in the piece with a slick goal on the run, although was a little hit-or-miss by foot.

#7 Max Thompson
Small Utility | 174cm | 06/03/2009

Stats: 28 disposals, 8 marks, 6 inside 50s

Thompson is always everywhere all at once and played across all three lines on Sunday. He started down back where Bendigo looked to get the ball in his hands at all costs, especially on the inboard kick or overlap. He dared to venture high up the ground and looked to do maximum damage with each possession, although was tested under pressure. Nonetheless, Thompson went hard despite his smaller frame and provided perpetual movement throughout the day. He ended up being swung forward in the second half with stints in midfield, proving a natural and versatile accumulator.

#14 Riley Travaglia
Forward/Midfielder | 181cm | 21/03/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Another versatile bottom-ager in Bendigo’s ranks, Travaglia started up forward before earning a run on-ball. His clean handling was a feature throughout the day, taking the ball in one grab overhead and never fumbling in open play. That allowed him to be a leap-up option around the ground and fire off quickly in tight spots, although the left-footer’s kicking was a little less pinpoint on this occasion. His effort was there though, including with a holding-the-ball tackle to kick his only goal in term four.

#35 Jack Bell
Wing | 188cm | 15/04/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

Having been exposed to roles at either end of the ground, Bell was again tried on a wing and showed plenty of athleticism. His speed was a factor in the attacking phase, often running hard inside 50 and latching onto handball receives to get a look on goal. Bell slotted two majors that way, timing his runs to perfection and steadying nicely at full tilt. The top-ager’s dynamic movement was a real feature and highlights his versatility, given how well he also plays above his height.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#6 Mitch Toner
Forward/Midfielder | 186cm | 16/01/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 7 marks, 3 goals

Toner started like a house on fire, involved in seemingly every Dandenong attack during the opening term. He showed power and strength to combat tacklers and was near-impossible to stop on the lead, especially when presenting inside 50 and taking the ball out in front. He brought others into the game with several goal assists over the back and slotted a couple of his own set shots, although lacked a bit of polish on his kicks under pressure. Toner was thrown into the midfield after half time but looked most natural ahead of the ball where he produced a mountain of score involvements.

#9 Dylan Linden
Tall Forward | 191cm | 18/02/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 4 goals

A noted goalkicker this season, Linden added another four majors to his total with an industrious performance. Working in tandem with Toner, he showed he could get up the ground and run hard back to goal to get his opportunities. Many of his scores were converted deep inside 50, either holding his space in one-on-one contests or sneaking out the back. While awkward and a little scrappy at times, the over-ager did his best to compete hard in the air and on the ground.

#22 Clancy Stuart
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 17/03/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 7 clearances, 2 goals

Stuart was typically robust in his midfield-forward rotation, using his strong frame to advantage in both roles. He was just about unbeatable deep inside 50, with his bodywork and physicality leading to two goals in one-on-one situations. Stuart relied on that side of his game without the leg speed of others, although was able to generate some combination play and kicked well off both feet. His hardness at the contest and clean hands also saw him extract a game-high seven clearances. He was simply too hard to move off the line of the ball without giving away a free kick.

#36 Ben Carroll
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 28/08/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 6 clearances, 1 goal

Carroll was clearly the best player afield in the first half, showcasing all his speed and burst out of the middle. He operated in a high gear, playing on and taking ground at every opportunity. His pace was also a feature at the centre ball-ups, roving on the move and exiting the contest untouched. Carroll also rotated forward and snapped home his lone goal of the match in term one, while proving dangerous as he accelerated inside 50. That kind of output slowed after half time, but the intent remained. Bendigo could hardly lay a hand on him before then.

#45 Cooper White
Tall Defender | 192cm | 05/11/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles

White is a defender’s defender, proving solid as they come in all facets. The rangy tall competed hard in the air and was sure to follow up at ground level, swooping on the loose ball and distributing it calmly. He made early reads and had the athleticism to act on them, either forcing a spoil or mopping up errant Bendigo entries. White simply gave nothing to his direct opponent but was also prepared to get involved on the rebound, even taking a few kick-ins as a comfortable ball user.