TAC Cup 2013 Grand Final

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TAC Cup GRAND FINAL:

Dandenong Stingrays v Eastern Ranges

Sunday, 10.30am at Etihad Stadium

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TAC grand final between Dandenong and Eastern to showcase array of future AFL talent

    Sam Landsberger
    From: Herald Sun
    September 22, 2013

TWELVE months ago Zak Jones was playing for Mt Eliza with his heart set on simply making the Dandenong Stingrays' TAC Cup list.

A year on and the brother of Melbourne's Nathan Jones will line up in the TAC Cup grand final, possibly one last super performance away from convincing AFL recruiters he’s a first-round selection.

Jones' whirlwind ascent has seen him win Vic Country's MVP, an All-Australian jumper and last week he propelled the Stingrays into the flag decider against Eastern Ranges with a gut-busting midfield display.

The ball magnet racked up 10 clearances from 27 disposals (19 contested) and 169 SuperCoach points.

"That's an awesome game of football in anyone's language," Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats said.

"His use of the ball is first-class and there’s no doubt he's tough. He's been the surprise packet of the year," AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.

An AFL recruiter said he'd have "no hesitation" selecting Jones with a pick in the teens given what a blue-chip prospect he has become.

Jones and running machine Billy Hartung are the Stingrays recruiters will set their eyes on today.

Hartung, who once kicked 21.0 in a junior match, is regarded as the "classic modern-day player".

"He doesn't miss a target, he kicks the ball with good penetration and he breaks the game open," Yeats said.

The Stingrays enter today with a 0-4 record in deciders, while Eastern has saluted once from four appearances.

Ranges ruck-spearhead Michael Apeness has also bolted up the order in September after shedding about 5kg.

"He looks lean and strong and he trained incredibly well. He hurts people. I think if he plays really well he could end up in the top 30," Ranges talent manager Anthony Parkin said.

Eastern's bottom-age sensation Christian Petracca is one of many that has recruiters salivating at next year's "super draft" after his five-goal and 206 SuperCoach-point display last week.

"He played on two AIS defenders and smashed them," Parkin said.

"I've been in TAC Cup 10 years and I've never seen a bottom-age player play a game like that. Ever."

Ranges captain and Morrish Medallist Ben Cavarra is rated a strong rookie prospect, while swingman Daniel McStay and classy Stingray midfielder James Harmes are also expected to graduate to AFL lists at November’s draft.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/tac-grand-final-between-dandenong-and-eastern-to-showcase-array-of-future-afl-talent/story-fngexzp4-1226724342428

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Eastern Ranges 10.2 (62) to Dandenong Stingrays 1.7 (13) at half-time. Potential #1 pick Tom Boyd and Daniel Welsh have 3 each for the Ranges.

http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3020-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=25690073

Edit:

19 min mark third term, @Eastern_Ranges 13.5 83 to @DandyStingrays 3.7 25 - Caverra 23 d, Capiron 18 d

Billy Hartung has both goals for the Stingrays this quarter.

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3QT

Eastern Ranges   14.5-89
Dandy Stingrays   3.7-25

E gls: Boyd, Welsh 3, Honeychurch 2.
D gls Hartung 2

3QT Stats:

Eastern Ranges: Cavarra 24d, O'Sullivan 20, Walker 18, Petracca 16.
Dandy Stingrays: Capiron 20, Newman 16, Wilson 16

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One to look at in next year's draft - Petracca with 20 disposals, 8 marks, 4 tackles, 8 inside 50s and two goals. He plays TAC Cup again next year.


Final Score

Eastern Ranges    4.2    10.2    14.5    24.8-152
Dandy Stringrays  1.4     1.7      3.7     5.10-40

Goals:
ER: Boyd 4, Honeychurch 3, Welsh 3, Traynor 3, Petracca 3, Apeness 2.
DS: Hartung 2.

Boyd had 3 by quarter time.

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Stats qtr-by-qtr

QT: Eastern Ranges: Cavarra 9 disp., Crowe, O'Sullivan, McInnerney 6.     / Dandy Stingrays: Hartung 8, Harmes, Wilson 6.

HT: Eastern Ranges: Cavarra 18, O'Sullivan 11, Bond, Petracca, Walker 9. / Dandy Stingrays: Wilson 13, Caprion, Harmes 11, Hartung 10

3QT: Eastern Ranges: Cavarra 24, O'Sullivan 20, Walker 18, Petracca 16. / Dandy Stingrays: Capiron 20, Newman 16, Wilson 16

FT:
Standouts for Eastern Ranges:
Ruckman O'Sullivan with 22 disp, 21 HO, 156 SCoach pts,
Petracca 21 disp 2 gls, 125 SC pts
Cavarra 30 disp 122 SC pts

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More stats:

Eastern Ranges stats: Ben Cavarra (30 dis) to win BOG, Walker 26, O'Sullivan 22, Petracca 21. McStay a star across half back.

Cavarra's 2013 season - TAC Cup premiership captain, TAC Cup GF medalist and Morrish medalist:

https://twitter.com/TACVictoria/status/381615274899673089/photo/1

Pics:

AFL Photos
http://www.aflphotos.com.au/galleries/results/?q=collection:2013%20TAC%20Cup%20Grand%20Final%20-%20Dandenong%20Stingrays%20v%20Eastern%20Ranges&image_id=304328

Getty Images
http://www.gettyimages.com.au/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=180936251&EditorialProduct=Sport

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Likely No.1 pick Boyd fires as Eastern Ranges win TAC Cup flag
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Sunday, September 22, 2013


EASTERN RANGES               4.2   10.2   14.5   24.8 (152)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS      1.4     1.7    3.7    5.10 (40)

GOALS
Eastern Ranges: Boyd 4, Honeychurch 3, Traynor 3, Welsh 3, Apeness 2, Petracca 2, Crowe, Evans, Gibson, Hannon, Keedle, O'Sullivan, Walker
Dandenong Stingrays: Hartung 2, McCartney, Rennie, Scott

BEST
Eastern Ranges: Cavarra, O'Sullivan, Walker, Petracca, Honeychurch, Welsh, Boyd
Dandenong Stingrays: Hartung, Capiron, Wilson, Foote, Newman

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IN HIS first game for more than three months, likely No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd kicked four goals in the Eastern Ranges' thumping TAC Cup premiership win.

The Ranges capped a dominant year by taking out the flag with a commanding 112-point victory over the Dandenong Stingrays in the Grand Final at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

They won 24.8 (152) to 5.10 (40) to clinch their second premiership, and reversed the qualifying final result between the sides, when Dandenong won comfortably.

It was the greatest margin in TAC Cup Grand Final history, and was Eastern's highest score of the season.

Boyd kicked three goals in the opening quarter and showed no signs of the ankle injury which had ruled him out of action since June, when he ruptured ligaments playing for Vic Metro.

Although quieter after the first change, Boyd reminded onlookers why he is ranked so highly, marking well, kicking straight and creating contests throughout the game despite lacking match fitness.

Another player returning from injury, draft prospect Mitch Honeychurch, kicked three goals and was active in the forward line having missed almost two months with a hamstring complaint.

The Ranges took control in the midfield, where captain Ben Cavarra burrowed into packs, fed the ball out and used his smarts to set it up. The joint Morrish medallist capped his year with the TAC Cup Medal for best-on-ground honours in the Grand Final after 30 disposals.

He was helped by the influential work of ruckman Connor O'Sullivan, who had 22 disposals, 21 hit-outs, and was one of 13 goalkickers.

Christian Petracca, not eligible until next year's NAB AFL Draft, continued his strong finals form with 21 touches and two goals. His sticky hands and ability to manoeuvre a marking contest to his advantage will have recruiters watching his progress closely in 2014.

The Ranges set up the win in the second quarter, when they kicked six goals to nil and established a 49-point break at half-time.

Dandenong was more competitive in the third term, with their top draft prospect Billy Hartung (22 disposals) showing his class with two goals for the quarter.

The first came after the midfielder zipped past a pack, took a bounce and slotted the shot on the run, and the second was a set shot from beyond 50 metres.

But Eastern slammed on another 10 goals in the final term to underline its status as the best team of 2013.

Defender Daniel Capiron had 20 disposals, while captain Nathan Foote finished with 19. Matt Rennie's high-flying mark in the last term was a highlight, but such was Dandenong's day, he missed the subsequent shot from close range.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-22/boyd-fires-as-ranges-win-flag