Neither team registered a goaling until the second quarter, when some dominant work from Stingrays ruck Georgia Howes resulted in three goals for the term.

From then on Dandenong was simply too good, moving the ball quickly in transition - an area coach Rhys Cahir believes the Rebels needs to improve on.

"It was a tough day looking at the scoreboard, but our girls went well for periods of the game," he said.

"We just need to transition a bit better from attack to defence and get the game back on our terms."

Captain Sophie Molan (Lake Wendouree) put in her best to try and keep the Rebels in the game, producing some great sparks through the middle of the field and kicking two goals after moving forward in the third quarter.

The Rebels missed star ruck Maggie Caris, who was unavailable owing to netball commitments, but Isabella Rustman (Ballarat Swans) stepped up in a best-on-ground performance for the home side.

Rustman remains positive about Rebels performance despite the final margin of 37 points.

"It went really well. The score didn't reflect how we went. We fought out the whole game," she said.

"The season is still looking bright. Our team is bonding really really quickly."

Rebels back Nyakoat Dojiok made her return after missing the previous round, having an immediate impact  on the ground and in the air. 

DETAILS

GWV REBELS

0.1, 0.2, 2.2, 2.3 (15)

DANDENONG STINGRAYS

0.2, 3.3, 5.3, 8.4 (52)

GOALS - Rebels - S. Molan 2. Dandenong - M. McDonald 2, L. Grocock 2, I. Shannon 2, J. Radford, T. Smith.

BEST - Rebels: I. Rustman, C. Leonard, S. Molan, E. Wood, G. Pidgeon, V. Jewell. Dandenong: B. Vernon, Z. Hill, T. Smith, G. Howes, I. Shannon, A. Liddle.

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