DANDENONG Stingrays put together a ruthless performance against Bendigo at Shepley Oval on Saturday. A six-goal to one second quarter extended the home side’s lead heading into the main break, while the Pioneers struggled to convert in the third, kicking 1.7 to all but shut the door on a comeback.

An eight-goal last term put an emphatic exclamation mark on Dandenong’s dominant display in what was an all-round team performance. The result marked Dandenong’s ninth win of the year, while the Pioneers have endured back-to-back heavy defeats in the absence of star prospect Cody Walker.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 5.3 | 11.4 | 14.5 | 22.13 (145)
BENDIGO PIONEERS 4.2 | 5.3 | 6.10 | 8.11 (59)

GOALS:
Dandenong Stingrays: C. Stuart 4, D. Linden 4, C. Bryant 2, F. Marsh 2, M. Prasad 2, J. Bedson, A. McCarthy, M. Toner, B. Carroll, B. Avenell, B. Dixon, G. Kennedy, W. Antrobus
Bendigo Pioneers: A. Hoyne 2, L. Iudica 2, S. Smiler 2, S. Fangaloka, T. Griffin

BEST:
Dandenong Stingrays: A. McCarthy, J. Vaughan, W. Antrobus, G. Kennedy, M. Prasad, A. Sousa
Bendigo Pioneers: M. Thompson, C. O’Sullivan, T. Griffin, L. Iudica, S. Smiler, A. Hoyne

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#3 Gus Kennedy
Defender/Midfielder | 186cm | 21/02/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The hard-working utility is a fantastic exponent of gaining meterage. With every possession, Kennedy is eager to drive the ball forward with his kicking and leg speed. He started at half-back, where his direct ball use consistently opened up the game for his side. He even managed to slot the first goal of the game, taking advantage from a free kick and slotting a nice goal on the run from around 50 metres. As the game went on, Kennedy found himself in a few centre ball-ups, where his high work rate positioned him in more damaging areas in the front half of the ground.

#4 Marcus Prasad
Small Forward | 167cm | 23/03/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 9 tackles, 2 goal

Prasad started the game as lively as ever. His attack on everything, whether it was a lead, ground ball or tackle, was incredibly noticeable. The most pleasing part of his game was his pressure, as Prasad nailed three holding-the-ball free kicks before half time, with one leading to a goal for the small forward. It’s his tackling technique that is really impressive, pinning his opponents’ arm to ensure they have no way out. As the game fizzled out, so did Prasad, with his possessions, eye-catching pace and elite forward half pressure more prominent in the first half.

#7 Andrio Sousa
Forward/Wing | 182cm | 11/08/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 8 inside 50s

Playing a mix of half-forward and wing, Sousa dazzles with every touch. His first instinct when he has the ball is to evade opponents through his agility and speed, and it proved successful on a number of occasions against the Pioneers. He often found himself a vital part of the Stingrays’ ball movement going forward, as his pace was used to separate himself from his opponent in a matter of seconds. Defensively, Sousa laid a strong rundown tackle in the third quarter that saw him earn a holding-the-ball free kick. It was positive to see Sousa use his lightning pace in a defensive manner.

#8 Wil Antrobus
Defender/Midfielder | 182cm | 18/04/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 7 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Antrobus put together a complete game. Early on, he was tough in the contest, winning the ball in tight and getting it out to his runners, before following up with his own outside play. The Stingrays trusted him with the kickouts, and it’s clear to see why. In the second quarter, Antrobus hit a piercing corridor kick from a kickout that resulted in a Dandenong goal. He cut through the Pioneers’ defensive structure with ease and was a focal point for a lot of attacking plays. It wouldn’t be surprising if Antrobus ended the game with 100 per cent disposal efficiency, as he displayed his footy smarts to always hit the right target. He was moved to centre bounces late in the game where he slotted a nice running goal from 50.

#11 Jackson Phillips
Wing/Forward | 182cm | 30/1/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles

Phillips played in a variety of positions, which is a testament to his versatility. In the first half, he started on the wing and rotated at half-forward. As the game continued, he played a lot more time as a centre bounce midfielder. Regardless of position, Phillips showed an uncanny ability to find uncontested space – whether it was with ball-in-hand or to provide an outlet for a teammate. Laying six tackles, Phillips proved to be a physical asset defensively. However, there was a moment early where he got caught out defensively in open play. Apart from that moment, the smooth mover put together a really solid game.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s, 4 goals

Starting the game as a centre bounce midfielder, Stuart was often seen at the coalface, getting in-and-under at contests and earning clearances for his side. He rotated to play as a deep forward at the start of the third quarter, where he took a nice overhead mark on the goalline. Four goals was a fantastic return, with his last two being on the run from around 50 metres. A quirky highlight was when the midfielder had to nominate as a ruckman, won the hit-out and assisted Prasad for his second goal.

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#5 Tyce Griffin
Forward | 180cm | 14/04/2009

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

As a high half-forward, Griffin featured prominently at stoppages, particularly at centre restarts coming off the 50m arc. When his side won the ball, his positioning for the outlet possession was spot on, finding areas that would lead to creative options inside 50. Griffin proved to be really clean below his knees, however, his kicks inside 50 could have used a little more polish.

#6 Sonny Smiler
Forward/Wing | 178cm | 20/10/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

Smiler plays with an x-factor that was apparent in the first half. He nailed a blistering goal in the first quarter, where he burned his direct opponent, ran around a tackler and topped it off with a celebratory backflip – all at a breakneck speed. Smiler is a silky mover, has nice athleticism and a lovely kicking action. He slotted in as a wingman and often pushed back into the defensive half to provide an outlet for his defenders. His second goal was the Pioneers’ last of the day, where he capitalised on a turnover and sprinted into the square to finish nicely.

#7 Max Thompson
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 6/03/2009

Stats: 26 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s

It was a slightly slow start from Thompson playing in the midfield. He was able to find the footy, but he could have used a little more thought and precision with his disposal. However, as the game progressed, his efforts became more and more profound. Thompson’s work rate is top notch, finding the ball all around the ground and consistently getting involved in offensive transition. Despite being undersized, Thompson’s repeated efforts were a feature of his game. Most notably, in the third quarter there was a moment Thompson contested for a mark, brought it to ground and followed it up with an urgent chase and tackle. It was pleasing to see Thompson improve as the game went on, both offensively and defensively.