NAB League 2019: Dandenong Stingrays to meet Murray Bushrangers in wildcard round

The Stingrays have lost their past eight matches but coach Nick Cox is taking heart from their last quarter against Geelong Falcons.

Jack Toner has been among the Stingrays’ most consistent players this year.

The Dandenong Stingrays could hardly have started the season better as they surged to six wins and a draw from their first seven matches.

Since then?

They’ve suffered eight consecutive losses.

“Yeah, it’s been a funny year for us, but I’m not laughing about it,’’ coach Nick Cox said this morning.

“I’ve been really disappointed with non-competitive efforts for long periods in games.

“Yeah, disappointing, because I know these boys work really hard during the week and try to improve themselves, and then they get beaten too easily in one-on-one contests.

“It hurts them individually and as a team.’’

In their final-round match on Sunday, the Stingrays lost to Geelong Falcons 15.9 (99) to 9.14 (68) at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.

They finished eighth on the ladder and in the wildcard round will go in against ninth-placed Murray Bushrangers at Box Hill City Oval this Sunday.

It will be over and out for the loser.

Stingrays coach Nick Cox.

In the first few rounds of the season Cox took pride in his team’s ability to find a way to win.

But he said the run of losses had produced doubt.

“We’ve lost a bit of confidence in how we go about our footy,’’ he said.

“We’ve lost the edge we had. This competition is a really hard competition — you’re playing against good players every week — and if you’re off your game you get found out.

“But our last quarter (against the Falcons) was very good. We finished off the game well and hopefully we can take that into next week, find some enthusiasm and energy and get out and execute our style and put up a good performance.’’

Jack Toner had 20 possessions and kicked a goal against the Falcons, and without any fanfare (and little recognition) he’s put together a good season.

He knows how to win the ball and his kicking is as neat a new house.

“He’s been really consistent all the way, really solid,’’ Cox said of the son of Narre Warren premiership coach Chris Toner.

Liam Scott made his debut for the Stingrays.

The Stingrays had three first-gamers: 18-year-olds Liam Scott and Will Lewis and 16-year-old Connor MacDonald.

Midfielder Lewis had been on the Rays’ books for two years but injuries have held him back. He had 24 possessions.

“He was very good, in our top three players,’’ Cox said. “He’s small and nuggety and strong in the contest. You could tell he hadn’t played for two years, the way he hunted the footy. Very pleasing.’’

Noble Park and Haileybury College prospect Scott had 14 possessions and was also named in the best.

Scott’s invitation to the state combine prompted AFL Victoria to steer him to a NAB League club.