Page 38 Thursday, 6 April, 2017
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Falcons fire up Fans are just not ‘appy’ By Nick Creely TAC CUP REVIEW - ROUND 2 The Dandenong Stingrays have been annihilated by an electrifying Geelong Falcons unit by 77 points in their clash at Simonds Stadium on Saturday. Coming into the game after an impressive victory over the Power, the Rays were sky-high on confidence early, with Riley D’Arcy kicking the first goal of the game and Bailey Williams snaring a major only ten minutes later. After a close and tight affair in the first quarter, the Falcons were irresistible once the siren sounded to begin the second term, notably through the midfield, piling on five unanswered goals to take a commanding 33-point lead into half-time. With some fight at the beginning of the third-quarter, the Stingrays were simply overrun by a well-drilled midfield later in the quarter, with highly touted-youngsters James Worpel (22 disposals and one goal) and Cassidy Parish (33 disposals) running amok and showing off some class. Parish, who is the younger brother of Essendon star Darcy, was simply too slick for the
Stingrays coach Craig Black had his hands full on Picture: Saturday. 166487 STEWART CHAMBERS Rays to handle. In the last quarter, the Falcons toyed with a tiring Stingrays backline, kicking six goals to two to stretch out the lead beyond 60 points. Forward pair Gryan Miers and Tom McCartin combined powerfully for eight goals between them, causing Oscar Clavarino and his defenders enormous grief. But despite the disappointing loss, there were plenty of positives for the Rays to take away from the game. Will Hamill (17 disposals and five tackles) was a shining light, co-captain Josh Bateman
(19 disposals) battled hard, while Mitch Rioardan (nine disposals) showed immense class despite not getting a heap of the footy. Exciting goal-sneak Finlay Bayne was the only multiple goal-scorer in an impressive debut game with the Rays. The Stingrays must now regroup ahead of a big clash with the Greater Western Victoria Rebels at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.
TAC CUP GEELONG FALCONS 3.4 8.7 13.11 19.16(130) DANDENONG STINGRAYS 3.3 3.4 6.4 8.5(53) GEELONG FALCONS GOALS: G.Miers 5, T.McCartin 3, J.Reid 3, L.Noble 2, O.Brownless, E.McHenry, S.Walsh, H.Benson, D.Handley, J.Worpel BEST: J.Worpel, C.Parish, J.Jaska, T.McCartin, G.Miers, L.Noble DANDENONG STINGRAYS GOALS: F.Bayne 2, T.Roberts, R.D’Arcy, D.Morris A.Zijai, B.Williams, T.De Koning BEST: M.Riordan, W.Hamill, F.Bayne, M.Cotter, J.Plumridge, L.Young
By David Nagel
Not even the humble and much-loved footy record has survived the technological tsunami sweeping the world after the South East Football Netball League’s decision to go digital in 2017. Supporters of all nine clubs in SEFNL were left bemused on Saturday as gatekeepers gave a blank look to their request for a staple of Australian Rules football since 1912. Supporters who have contacted the Gazette said they had no idea the change was being implemented and were confused watching the Round 1 fixture, with new players in new jumper numbers at each club hard to distinguish. According to SEFNL Leagues Manager Liz Triffitt, the change was brought about after all club presidents were surveyed about the future of the booklet. SEFNL now sends the completed digital copy to the clubs on Friday, with the clubs responsible for printing their own versions prior to the Saturday fixture. The footy record is also available via the TeamApp smartphone app. “We surveyed the clubs and
Smartphones at the ready. Crowds in the South East Football Netball League will need to adjust quickly to a digital version of the footy record. 159367 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS the general consensus came back that printing the records was a waste of time and money,” Triffitt said. “Obviously there was concern for the die-hard supporter, but clubs were throwing half of their allocation into the bin so it was decided to trial a digital record this season. It’s up to the clubs now to print off the team lists after they’ve been sent to them on Fridays.” Triffitt agreed that communicating the change could have been handled better, but said there were positives to come from the move. “We’ve had 3000 views online and the clubs now have the opportunity to create links to their websites, to an event they may be hosting, and even links to their sponsors,” she said. Club presidents were mixed
with their views, one describing the change to digital as the “worst decision he had ever seen,” while another said “the inconvenience was bigger than he thought.” One club president said his club had definitely not agreed to the change to digital and would only have done so if the on-line version was run in conjunction with a hard copy. “And we’re still getting charged for a record they’re not producing anymore,” the president said. Another said he was not fussed by the changed and it was just another sign of the times. Most agreed that printing the digital version would add costs to their clubs and would put further pressure on the volunteers that support their clubs.
Casey netball grand finals a show of strength In-form Demons By Nick Creely
Casey Netball held its hugely popular 2017 PreSeason Cup recently with Narre Warren showing its strength through the grades by claiming three of the four titles on offer. The C Grade final between the Magpies and ROC was a thriller, being decided in overtime. Results: A Grade - Kooweerup 14 def Cranbourne 5, BOC; Alex Bell (Kooweerup). B Grade - Narre Warren 13 def Frankston YCW 7, BOC: Kealeigh Brown (Narre Warren). C Grade - Narre Warren 11 def ROC 9, BOC: Chelsea Tonna (Narre Warren). D Grade - Narre Warren 14 def Cranbourne 8, BOC: Taylah Boatwood (Narre Warren). A Grade winners - Kooweerup.
A Grade runners-up - Cranbourne.
B Grade winners - Narre Warren.
B Grade runners-up - Frankston YCW.
C Grade winners - Narre Warren.
C Grade runners-up - ROC.
D Grade winners - Narre Warren.
D Grade runners-up - Cranbourne.
VFL PRACTICE MATCH The Casey Demons 10.15(75) have edged Box Hill Hawks 10.12(72) by three points in a thrilling contest at Casey Fields on Saturday, as the Demons continue an impressive build up to Round 1. Box Hill was the better side early, but the Dees were strong defensively, taking some crucial intercept marks in the backline. Hawks’ small forward Blake Hardwick kickstarted proceedings with the opening goal, in what was only one of two goals scored in the quarter. Inaccuracy plagued the Demons who kicked 0.6 in the first-term, and they would have been shaking their heads in disbelief when they went into the half-time break down by 38 points having kicked 2.10. The Demons got going in the second-half straightaway with Tim Smith taking a spectacular mark in the opening minute which he calmly went back and slotted the set-shot. Casey then got on top of the Hawks with fluent ball-movement as they kept getting shots on goal, but more importantly, they started kicking them. Two late goals to Melbourne-listed Tom Bugg and Goy Lok pegged the margin back to 14 points heading into the last-quarter. The Dees then showed why they were runnersup last season, controlling the game in the final 30 minutes, and showcasing their trademark pressure. With just minutes to go, the Demons were able to quickly rebound the ball into the waiting hands of Yillber Zijai, who calmly slotted a goal from the forward pocket to pinch the lead and the game. Dean Kent was the leading possession getter, with Sam Frost, Corey Maynard and Eddie Morris all chiming in to be among the best. Yillber Zijai was great up forward kicking three goals and accumulating 18 possessions. The Demons have remained unbeaten throughout the pre-season matches, and will finish off their practice matches with a clash against Werribee on Saturday at Casey Fields. In their earlier practice matches, the Demons defeated Port Melbourne by 44 points and Williamstown by 36 points. They begin their season on 15 April against Williamstown at Burbank Oval.
Contact Star Sport with sport stories and results on phone 5945 0666, fax 5945 0777 or email: sport@starnewsgroup.com.au