THE Rural Bank Bendigo Pioneers were unable to claw their way back after they were jumped by the Dandenong Stingrays in their TAC Cup match on Sunday.
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The Stingrays raced to a 23-point lead at quarter-time that proved the catalyst for their 15.16 (106) to 9.9 (63) win at the QEO.
The day got off to a disastrous start before the game for the Pioneers when Toby Sims suffered what’s feared to be a serious knee injury during the warm-up.
“We were doing some movement work in the warm-up before the game and we think it could potentially be an ACL, which is really disappointing for Toby,” Pioneers coach Rick Coburn said.
“That wasn’t a great preparation for us and may have contributed to our slow start.
“Dandenong got the jump on us and was able to hold the margin for the rest of the game.
“There was one stage during the late part of the third quarter and early in the fourth where they threatened to blow it out to a really sizeable margin, but our boys never threw the towel in.
“Overall, we were outplayed today.”
With Sims injured in the warm-up, Phil Moi Moi earned a late call-up for the Pioneers – who are now 3-6 – and was one of their best.
• Dandenong Stingrays 15.16 (106) d Bendigo Pioneers 9.9 (63).
GOALS – Donnan 3, Bouwmeester 2, Fitzgerald, Davis, Campbell, Farrell.
BEST – Donnan, Moi Moi, Mertz, Warde, Schumacher, Farrell.