By JARROD POTTER
THEY have done everything in their power to get their names called and now the fate of Dandenong’s TAC Cup footballers rests solely with the recruiters.
Four Stingrays gave their all in the final official showcase of developing talent at the AFL National Combine this week – a proving ground for the country’s best prospects ahead of the AFL National Draft on 27 November.
Utility Tom Lamb, small forward/midfielder Bailey Dale and Stingrays’ co-captains Jack Lonie and Daniel Capiron were invited to the week-long AFL National Draft Combine to test their mettle against Australia’s rising-star footballers.
Their efforts impressed Dandenong coach Craig Black who thought the Stingrays’ long finals’ run was a benefit to keeping the trialling athletes fit and firing ahead of the combine.
“I thought all our kids set PBs in their beep tests and their three kilometres – so that was a really good effort I thought, especially because we went so deep into the finals,” Black said.
“They only had two weeks off – while some might not have played for a month as we were still playing footy – so it’s a credit to the kids for their fitness that has come through at the end.”
Lamb showed elite endurance to finish the three-kilometre run in 9.45 minutes as only one of five players to break the 10-minute mark at the National Combine and also starred during the week with a 15.5 beep test putting him fourth overall.
“I think that was one of his strengths,” Black said.
“Can run all day for a bloke of his size… a 15.5 beep test and then backed up with a great three kilometre time on the final day was really, really pleasing for him.”
Dale showed off how he booted 14 goals as a crumbing forward/wingman specialist this TAC Cup year with 24/30 on the goal kicking test to rank as an elite kick. Jack Lonie’s nimble work under the packs for the Stingrays was highlighted with a 8.37 second run in the agility test – placing him top-10 in the test this year, while also placing highly in the three kilometre run with a 10.20 minute finish. Capiron finished the three kilometre in 10.47 minutes.
Testing in Saturday’s state combine were tall forward Aaron Wilson and former Stingray – now Frankston Dolphin – Nick Newman.
Black believes the aforementioned Stingrays as well as Mitch White and Kyle Gray stand a chance of having their name called out in the National or Rookie Drafts, but admits it is always a coin toss this time of year to predict what the clubs are after.
“I think for a lot of the clubs now the next week will be important – AFL Trade Week,” Black said.
“Once clubs know what their picks are they’ll get a bit of a feel on what players they’re after.”
The AFL National Draft will be at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, 27 November.
