NAB League Boys 2021: Dandenong Stingrays fall to GWV Rebels

Miller Bergman and Connor Macdonald push the Stingrays’ cause against the GWV Rebels.

Miller Bergman marks for the Stingrays against the GWV Rebels. Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos

The Dandenong Stingrays finished in the negative.

Still, coach Nick Cox could take a series of positives from Sunday’s match against the GWV Rebels at the historic Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.

The Rebels won 8.9 (57) to 7.6 (48).

The Stingrays came at them in the final quarter after Miller Bergman was moved to the forward line and responded with three goals.

He’d earlier been damaging across half back.

“He was really good for the whole day, and he nearly pinched the game for us in the last quarter when he went forward,’’ Cox said.

“Twenty-odd possessions and three goals … from a draft point of view and being rated, that only enhanced his reputation.’’

Connor Macdonald was also exceptional, having more than 30 possessions, applying 12 tackles and generating 10 inside 50s.

“That’s a big day for an onballer involved in a forward rotation,’’ Cox noted.

Macdonald played senior football for Doveton in 2019 and is attending Haileybury College.

Patrick Gerdan and Mac Andrew gave the Stingrays the edge in the ruck contests, and Justin Davies more than held his own in his battle with highly regarded Rebel Josh Rentsch.

Rentsch didn’t kick a goal in what Cox said was an absorbing battle. “JD played a very big role for us. He might be one of the better key positions going around,’’ Cox said.

Daniel Didomenicantonio also played on a strong opponent, Sam Butler, and kept him to one goal.

“All round there was a lot to like even though the result didn’t go our way,’’ Cox said.

“We had more of the ball, more inside 50s, we just didn’t use it well at times, and that was down to the pressure the Rebels put on us.’’

The Stingrays welcomed back 19-year-old player Will Bravo, who was quiet in the first half but influential in the second.

Another 19-year-old, Clayton Gay, had 24 possessions.

The Dandeong side meets the powerful Sandringham Dragons on Sunday at Trevor Barker Oval.