TAC Cup: Dandenong Stingrays win their first TAC Cup premiership, defeating Oakleigh Chargers
THE Dandenong Stingrays are flying their first TAC Cup premiership flag after defeating Oakleigh Chargers in the grand final.
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IN their 27th season and sixth grand final, the Dandenong Stingrays have finally done it.
They have won the TAC Cup premiership.
Family, friends and former players surged into the rooms to hear the club song after the Stingrays held off a hard-finishing Oakleigh Chargers by six points in an enthralling season-decider at IKON Park, Carlton today.
The Rays had led by 29 points after Lachie McDonnell nailed a goal on the run nine minutes into the last quarter.
But the nerves of their supporters were soon jangling after the Chargers peeled off four consecutive goals to get within six points.
It took some stout defence in the last two minutes for the Stingrays to preserve their lead and claim the premiership they have coveted.
At the final siren the players made a jubilant mass in the Chargers’ forward line and officials on the interchange bench hugged the air out of each other.
It was the team’s 14th consecutive victory; their only loss for the season came in Round 5, against the Chargers. It was in all respects an outstanding year.
“When that siren went it was more relief,’’ coach Craig Black said. “Then the emotion when you see how excited the players are …’’
Black played in the Stingrays’ first losing grand final side, in 1997, and now he will depart the club as its first premiership coach — he has taken up a development role at Collingwood.
“Feels bloody nice to have the medal around my neck!’’ he said moments after the presentation of the cup.
Black said former Stingray and Western Bulldogs champion Matty Boyd attended training last Thursday and spoke about “respecting the history but you’re there to create your own, like the Bulldogs did’’.
Stingrays stalwart and former VFL and VFA player Ian Owen’s voice cracked as he discussed the victory.
“Five previous failures … it’s fantastic … you know, I’m emotional,’’ he said.
“Good to finally get one. Actually, great to finally get one.’’
Owen has been with the club for 21 years, serving in fitness and rehab and as runner and assistant coach.
“I thought we’d win,’’ he said. “This is the best group I’ve seen in all my time here. Mind you, I was worried at the end. I thought we were fit and we’d run over them. It went the other way. Another two minutes and they would have beaten us, I reckon.’’
The Chargers led by seven points at quarter time, but the Stingrays staked their claim with four goals to none in the second term, from Bailey Williams, Toby Bedford, Ned Cahill and Zac Foot.
Bedford’s goal served as a summary of the Stingrays’ exemplary effort: Jai Taylor chased and brought down a Charger in the middle of the ground, and from the turnover the ball finished in Bedford’s grateful hands.
The Chargers started the third quarter with a fine goal from Dylan Williams, but the Stingrays answered through Finlay Bayne, McDonnell and Williams as their advantage puffed out to 29 points.
Williams then produced a dazzler for Oakleigh, at pace gathering the ball off his bootlaces, swinging on to his left side and slotting it through.
Twenty-three points stood between the teams at the last change, but Sam Sturt extended the buffer for the Stingrays.
Noah Anderson’s snap kept Oakleigh afloat, but McDonnell’s quick and crucial response from 50m meant the Chargers would have to find five goals in the time left.
They hadn’t been playing well enough to do it. Then, whoosh, they began to win the ball around the middle, their forwards had the time denied them for most of the match, and they rushed home.
Black admitted he was “really, really nervous’’ and the thought of extra time flashed through his mind after goals from Anderson, Jake Gasper, Jack Ross and Williams ate into his team’s lead.
But the Stingrays held on, reflecting assistant coach Nick Cox’s remark a few weeks ago that they “find a way to win’’.
In their biggest match of the season they embraced fierce tackling as their best friend; it gave the Chargers little peace. Co-captains Campbell Hustwaite (10) and Mitch Riordan (nine) set the example with 19 tackles between them. Jake Frawley had eight and big Riley Bowman six.
Black held up Sam Fletcher as typical of the Rays’ resolve. He was in doubt to play owing to a shoulder injury. He finished the match with his shoulder banged up, with five stitches to close a cut above his eye, with blood on his No 1 jumper — and with a team-best 27 disposals.
“I just loved the look of Sam Fletcher at the end of the game …. that’s what I reckon footy means,’’ Black said.
Hustwaite gathered 19 possessions, Lachlan Stenning and Will Hamill provided dash out of defence and Jamie Plumridge through the flanks, ruckman Bowman set down his influence early, and Williams, Sturt and little Cahill kept the Chargers’ backmen busy.
But Oakleigh produced the best-afield medal winner in bottom-ager Matt Rowell, who had 32 disposals.
Chargers captain Noah Answerth (27 possessions) could only inspire with his desire, and Will Golds, Will Kelly and Riley Collier-Dawkins were worthy contributors too.
Coach Leigh Clarke said his side showed character to stay in the match “when they probably weren’t at their best’’.
Referring to the second quarter, he said: “You can’t have lapses in grand finals. The boys have learned that today. You need four quarters of effort.’’
He said Rowell was outstanding. “That would have really ruined my day if he wasn’t best on ground.’’
Dandenong Stingrays 2.1, 6.2, 10.7, 12.8 (80)
d Oakleigh Chargers 3.2, 3.6, 6.8, 11.8 (74)
Dandenong Stingrays goals: Z. Foot 2, L. McDonnell 2, B. Williams 2, S. Sturt 2, E. Cahill, F. Bayne, R. Bowman, T. Bedford.
Best: C. Hustwaite, D. Frampton, L. Stenning, W. Hamill, S. Fletcher, B. Williams
Oakleigh Chargers goals: D. Williams 4, N. Anderson 2, J. Ross, R. Collier-Dawkins, A. Bosenavulagi, J. Robertson, J. Gasper
Best: M. Rowell, R. Collier-Dawkins, D. Williams, N. Answerth, J. Robertson, L. Westwood
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