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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.3 | 9.10 | 11.12 | 14.18 (102) GOALS: BEST:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n DANDENONG STINGRAYS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #1 <\/strong>Darcy Szerszyn<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>9 disposals, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Szerszyn\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #3 <\/strong>Gus Kennedy<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>17 disposals, 6 tackles, 9 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kennedy made a happy knack of cutting off Eastern\u2019s 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\u2019s strength was equally felt with several crunching tackles on the Ranges\u2019 prime movers, proving a physically influential player down back and when he was shifted on-ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #4 <\/strong>Marcus Prasad<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>19 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #7 <\/strong>Andrio Sousa<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>22 disposals, 5 marks, 8 inside 50s, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #8 <\/strong>Wil Antrobus<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>28 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 10 rebound 50s, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #9 <\/strong>Dylan Linden<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>13 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 4 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Linden was the focal point of Dandenong\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #11 <\/strong>Jackson Phillips<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>16 disposals, 4 marks, 4 behinds<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EASTERN RANGES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #2 <\/strong>Baxter Sruk<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>34 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 4 behinds<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u2013 kicking four behinds in blustery conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #7 <\/strong>Jordan Knapp<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>30 disposals, 8 marks, 8 clearances, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along with Sruk, Knapp\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #8 <\/strong>Archie Spencer<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>21 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spencer is made for finals and proved that with another high-intensity performance. The midfielder tackled hard and fought through Dandenong\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #14 <\/strong>Zac Antonellos<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>18 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #15 <\/strong>Charlie Nash<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 7 marks, 6 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nash had his hands full with the likes of Linden and Corey Ah-Mu<\/strong>, 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EASTERN RANGES 2.4 | 2.5 | 5.7 | 7.12 (54)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dandenong Stingrays: <\/strong>D. Linden 4, M. Prasad 2, M. Toner 2, C. Ah-Mu, W. Antrobus, O. Clark, A. Sousa, C. Stuart, N. Wisken
Eastern Ranges: <\/strong>Z. Antonellos 2, H. Ryan 2, A. Spencer 2, J. Knapp<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dandenong Stingrays: <\/strong>W. Antrobus, D. Linden, A. Sousa, K. Sullivan, M. Prasad, A. McCarthy
Eastern Ranges: <\/strong>B. Sruk, J. Knapp, S. Devers, Z. Antonellos, A. Spencer, T. Krawczyk<\/p>\n\n\n\nDandenong Stingrays<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Eastern Ranges<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Defender | 188cm | 20\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defender\/Midfielder | 186cm | 21\/02\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Small Forward\/Midfielder | 167cm | 23\/03\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Wing | 182cm | 11\/08\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defender | 182cm | 18\/04\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tall Forward | 191cm | 18\/02\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wing | 182cm | 30\/01\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 181cm | 18\/07\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 179cm | 05\/01\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 181cm | 24\/09\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 181cm | 04\/04\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Defender | 193cm | 20\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n