DANDENONG Stingrays have overcome reigning Talent League premiers Eastern Ranges to advance to this year’s Grand Final. The result sets up an all-Country clash against Gippsland Power at Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon, after the latter knocked off Sandringham Dragons in a Ballarat double-header.

The Stingrays trailed at the first break but kicked into an unassailable lead with seven unanswered goals during the second quarter. Riding a 47-point advantage at the main break, Dandenong did enough to defend against the wind before finishing strongly in a comprehensive 48-point victory.

Stingrays superboot Wil Antrobus was best afield with 28 disposals, 10 rebound 50s and a goal, while over-age spearhead Dylan Linden booted four goals. For the Ranges, midfield duo Baxter Sruk and Jordan Knapp both racked up over 30 disposals in the defeat to end their seasons on a positive note.

Dandenong will be chasing its second premiership in the competition having converted just one of seven Grand Final appearances – back in 2018. The Stingrays’ most recent appearance on the last day of the season came in 2022, when they went down by 43 points to Sandringham Dragons.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.3 | 9.10 | 11.12 | 14.18 (102)
EASTERN RANGES 2.4 | 2.5 | 5.7 | 7.12 (54)

GOALS:
Dandenong Stingrays: D. Linden 4, M. Prasad 2, M. Toner 2, C. Ah-Mu, W. Antrobus, O. Clark, A. Sousa, C. Stuart, N. Wisken
Eastern Ranges: Z. Antonellos 2, H. Ryan 2, A. Spencer 2, J. Knapp

BEST:
Dandenong Stingrays: W. Antrobus, D. Linden, A. Sousa, K. Sullivan, M. Prasad, A. McCarthy
Eastern Ranges: B. Sruk, J. Knapp, S. Devers, Z. Antonellos, A. Spencer, T. Krawczyk

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#1 Darcy Szerszyn
Defender | 188cm | 20/05/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Szerszyn’s versatility shone through as he impacted in the air and with his dare on the rebound. Playing slightly above his 188cm standing, the top-ager made great reads and flew bravely for his marks, although was prone to the odd fumble or error. Szerszyn’s aggressive instincts translated well on the attack, where he constantly looked to get dangerous on the overlap and surge the ball into advanced positions. He transitioned the ball quickly and showed his athleticism along the way.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 tackles, 9 rebound 50s

Kennedy made a happy knack of cutting off Eastern’s forward-50 entries from centre clearances, throwing himself into each contest. He also mopped up loose kicks at ground level and repelled with force, using his power to take quick ground and blast the ball long. Kennedy’s strength was equally felt with several crunching tackles on the Ranges’ prime movers, proving a physically influential player down back and when he was shifted on-ball.

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

Prasad was his creative self in the front half and even earned an extended run in midfield through the middle of the match. His pressure and hardness when working up the ground helped him forge opportunities to connect into attacking 50. Closer to goal, Prasad pounced on Eastern’s errors and only needed small openings to register five scoring shots, peppering the goals with several snap attempts. You just cannot give him a sniff in range of goal and not expect to pay the price. Although, his end product was tested under pressure, even if he posed a constant threat.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 8 inside 50s, 1 goal

Sousa has put together a scintillating run of form and that continued on Sunday. He started among the midfield rotation before shifting out to the wing and rotating forward, proving lively in each role. His slick hands and lightning-fast turn of foot helped to both navigate traffic and carve Eastern up in transition. Sousa consistently dared to drive his legs and attack, shifting gears effortlessly in the process. He also used his pace to chase hard defensively and proved his ability to ride contact well.

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

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 10 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Antrobus made a powerhouse start to proceedings, setting the tone for his best on ground performance. He was involved everywhere and in everything out of the gates, holding a high line to intercept and launch attacks, while also covering across the last line and setting up the play with his foot skills. Capable of breaching halfway from kick-ins, Antrobus wasn’t afraid to attack the corridor and play for metres. A speccy in the second term was among his highlights, while he was able to fight out of tackles and show the competitiveness needed to balance out his offensive game.

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

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 4 goals

Linden was the focal point of Dandenong’s attack, presenting as a strong marking target and compounding his impact with fierce follow-up work. The mobile tall forward gained separation on the lead and was made to earn his marks in one-on-one battles, but ended up imposing himself in that regard as well. Linden’s competitiveness saw him apply pressure and desperately work to bring teammates into the game, gaining reward in the form of four goals. He made sure Eastern’s defenders knew about it, too.

#11 Jackson Phillips
Wing | 182cm | 30/01/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 4 behinds

Phillips was permanently shifted out to the wing where he got to showcase his foot skills and ability to connect the lines on the outside. His clean handling was complimented by great poise and elite passing off either foot between the arcs. That same finishing touch lacked when Phillips ventured inside 50, where he registered four minor scores in uncharacteristically wayward fashion. Still, his smarts and smooth movement to get in those positions were commendable.

EASTERN RANGES:

#2 Baxter Sruk
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 18/07/2009

Stats: 34 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 4 behinds

Sruk ended his bottom-age season emphatically, impacting in every facet of the game amid a heavy loss. His poise and decision making by hand and foot were excellent, picking out targets around the ground and getting involved in productive combination play. Sruk was also strong when required and laid several holding the ball tackles to compliment his brilliant ball-winning. He’s a terrific competitor. The only thing missing from his game, uncharacteristically, was his usual scoreboard impact – kicking four behinds in blustery conditions.

#7 Jordan Knapp
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 05/01/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 8 marks, 8 clearances, 1 goal

Along with Sruk, Knapp’s ability to facilitate combination play through the middle of the ground was outstanding. He distributed the ball at a high level by hand, releasing teammates with crisp and clean ball use under pressure. Knapp’s turn of foot out of stoppages also caught the eye as he roved the ball on the move and exited untouched. He then racked up uncontested possessions by finding pockets of space in all areas of the ground, and slotted an early set shot goal after marking inboard.

#8 Archie Spencer
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 24/09/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

Spencer is made for finals and proved that with another high-intensity performance. The midfielder tackled hard and fought through Dandenong’s pressure by force, largely credit to his explosive turn of speed. Spencer tended to hack the ball long by foot but was clean by hand and straightened up nicely when shooting on goal. He bagged two majors, via a set shot in the first quarter and a powerful stoppage rove in the third, to stay involved during his forward rotations.

#14 Zac Antonellos
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 04/04/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals

Antonellos weathered the tough conditions to slot a pair of terrific set shots from long-range, showcasing his strong boot and eye for goal. He was dangerous in the front half, presenting hard on the lead and reacting well to the play unfolding in front of him. His lateral movement was sharp, but Antonellos was also able to power out of tackles or lay them himself. While a capable pinch-hitting midfielder, his best role looks like being that connective high forward.

#15 Charlie Nash
Key Defender | 193cm | 20/05/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 7 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Nash had his hands full with the likes of Linden and Corey Ah-Mu, who engaged him in one-on-one battles close to goal. He looked most comfortable when able to play the back shoulder, leap and chime in with a spoil, using his closing speed and long reach to do so. He made several of those plays in the early stages before Dandenong’s entries began to come in quicker and longer. Nash did his best to apply greater physicality in open play and showed glimpses of his athleticism on the rebound. He also helped his side control possession deep in defence with kick-mark play.

#16 Harrison Chapman
Wing | 189cm | 06/01/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50s

Chapman played a typical kind of game out on the wing, looking at his best when able to find space or chain possessions in the attacking phase. The rangy, athletic talent took the ball on the move and dished out some classy disposals under pressure, having a dip amid the finals pressure. He drifted into dangerous space ahead of the ball and provided width when his side shifted out of stoppage, proving most effective in time and space.

#19 Sam Devers
Defender | 189cm | 27/03/2008

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

Devers capped off his late-season run with another productive performance down back. He roamed loose in defence and ventured high up the ground, moving into aggressive positions while Eastern attacked. The top-ager was a trusted ball user in all parts of the ground, either helping control possession or making daring runs through the corridor. His speed and power allowed him to evade pressure and manufacture the space to kick effectively.