The Australia Post Queensland Scorpions went through a case of déjà vu as they lost to the Dandenong Stingrays at Shepley Oval, Melbourne, last Saturday.
Saturday, 7 May, 2011
The Australia Post Queensland Scorpions went through a case of déjà vu as they lost to the Dandenong Stingrays at Shepley Oval, Melbourne, last Saturday.
It was a repeat of the Scorpions’ lost to Sandringham Dragons a week early, as they were most competitive in the first half before fading in the second to ultimately lose by 45 points.
This was the second practice match for the Queensland U18 side against TAC Cup opposition ahead of the NAB AFL Australian U18 Championships.
The Scorpions’ preparation was not helped by the late withdrawal of former AIS/AFL Academy squad member Jackson Allen, who was injured at training on the Friday night.
Jack James was urgently flown from Brisbane to take his place in the side.
Still, the Scorpions answered all challenges the Stingrays threw at them early, with Tom Fields and Josh Wagner holding up well in defence, and ruckmen Josh Kolka and Sam Cabrera giving the midfielders first use of the ball.
Clay Cameron look dangerous up forward with Fraser Thurlow, and together they gave the TAC Cup heavyweights plenty of headaches.
Aaron Laskey and Dalton Tucker were also early winners for the Scorpions in a high-quality first half in Queensland were within eight points, trailing 6-2 to 6-10.
Coach David Ashkar emphasized the importance of a quality third quarter after a bad fadeout against Sandringham, but slowly Dandenong got on top around the stoppages and the clearances.
Three quick goals put some space between the sides on the scoreboard, and despite Cameron kicking the first goal of the final quarter – his third for the day – the Stingrays proved too strong and won 14-13 (97) to 8-4 (52).
Tom Fields was Queensland’s best player. He played on highly-rated Stingrays forward Nick Heynes, who was coming off back-to-back six-goal hauls, and held him goalless.
Fields, who had been a two-goal standout at centre half forward for Labrador in the NEAFL a week earlier, even ran down the ground and kicked a goal to top off a fine performance.
Kolka, who was also coming off an outstanding NEAFL performance for Broadbeach, dominated the rucks with Cabrera, while Thurlow, Laskey and Lachlan Russ also did well.
Match Details
Dandenong Stingrays 4-2 6-10 10-13 14-13-97
Queensland Scorpions 3-0 6-2 7-4 8-4-52
Queensland Goals: Clay Cameron 3, Tom Davidson, Tom Fields, Shaun Crook, Aaron Laskey, Fraser Thurlow.
Queensland Best: Tom Fields, Josh Kolka, Sam Cabrera, Fraser Thurlow, Aaron Laskey, Lachlan Russ.
