By Hayley Wildes
For the Dandenong Stingrays, 2018 is all about development – both on and off the field. With a preseason focus on fitness, skill development and leadership, there is no doubt that the Stingrays Girls program is grooming their players for future success.
After a tough preseason, which started in October, the list was trimmed to 45 players (30 players on the main list and 15 development players) last week.
Coach Dee Longwill, in her second season as head coach of the Stingrays, is looking forward to the longer TAC Cup Girls season in 2018. The longer season – nine games, up from five last season – will allow her to play girls in different positions and develop their footy smarts.
“It will help with developing their knowledge around the ground.” Longwill said.
“Playing in different positions that they’ve never played in before and with those nine games, it’s going to allow a lot of exposure to the game. If they are a midfield player, I want to make sure they get a run in the backline or forward line.”
With twelve teams making up the 2018 TAC Cup Girls competition, female football has never been in a stronger position. Longwill acknowledged this fact and highlighted the improvement compared from last season.
“There’s definitely a lot more talent.” Longwill said.
“It’s amazing what talent is coming through and it’s just going to get better.”
The Stingrays list lacks height, but for what the team lacks in height, they make up for it with leg speed. The likes of Courtney Jones and Molly McDonald have pace to burn and will be keys to the ‘Rays run and gun game style.
Dandenong got their season off to a tough start with a 35 point loss to Northern Knights at Holm Park Reserve on Saturday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
With an array of young guns on the list, there is no shortage of names to keep an eye on. The Stingrays boast three 2018 AFLW Academy members; Jordyn Allen, Courtney Jones and Brooke Struylaart.
Perhaps the most tantalising prospect, and one that AFLW clubs will be watching closely, is Jordyn Allen. A tough, in-and-under defender, who can roll through the midfield, Allen is one that Longwill has earmarked as a great leader.
Allen isn’t fazed by the big moments or pressure – look for her to provide plenty of composure in the backline.
Another name to remember is Georgia Gourlay. The nineteen-year-old Gourlay, who is returning from an ACL injury, is another outstanding leader with silky skills to match.
Having recently signed with the Casey Demons for the upcoming VFLW season, Gourlay will feature prominently and be looking to use the TAC Cup season as a launching pad for a massive 2018.
Rose Clancy-Dillon has only been playing football for two years, but she appears to be on a fast-track to football prominence. Longwill highlighted her as one to watch, saying ‘she has improved out of sight over the preseason’.
2017 record: 3-2 (6th)
2017 Best and Fairest: Bridie Kennedy
2018 Coach: Dee Longwill
2018 DANDENONG STINGRAYS LIST
Jordyn Allen, Eloise Ellen-Burns, Saige Bayne, Caitlen Bell, Brooke Borchard, Aime Carroll, Isabella Ciavola, Rose Clancy-Dillion, Lucy Cripps, Brooke Ellis, Darcy Fennell, Jenna George, Tilly Giddings-Constable, Georgia Gourlay, Meg Graham, Jessica Guy-Toogood, Shelley Heath, Zoe Hill, Grace Hodder, Courtney Jones, Tabatha Jones, Abbey Jordan, Alisha Kelly, Ella Knox, Brooke Lehner, Jaymie Lilley, Molly McDonald, Lauree Metcalfe, Alice Nagtzaam, Alice O’Sullivan, Sylvie Repellin, Samantha Ryan, Isabella Shannon, Tyanna Smith, Maddison Staines, Shaneece Stratton, Brooke Struylaart, Piper Swayn, Natalie Taylor, Harmony Thomas, Chloe Turner, Katelyn Van Loo, Brooke Vernon, Amanda West, Eliza Wilson-Macdonald.
