By JARROD POTTER
SMARTING from last season’s 112-point TAC Cup grand final loss to the Eastern Ranges, Dandenong has its eyes set on going one better in 2014 with a stronger and much taller list.
The Stingrays have just announced their playing list for 2014 with AIS-AFL representatives Tom Lamb and Daniel Capiron leading the list.
Dandenong coach Craig Black admitted it was one of the tougher lists to whittle down to its final size, but said it was all the stronger for those difficult cuts.
“We’re going well and the boys have been training well,” Dandenong coach Craig Black said.
“Had the camp last week and it was pretty tough to finalise the squad – but it’s good that it’s done now and we can concentrate on playing games.
“The average height in the initial squad was 187cm… probably the tallest squad we have ever had, but the AFL has a lot taller players around.
“So we just need to start putting into plans our direction that we’re trying to teach them, and our game style and play… that team brand and team-first approach.”
Dandenong’s leadership group has been announced with Mitch White, Jake Wilson, Jack Lonie, Rourke Fischer, Daniel Capiron and Tom Lamb all in line to receive the Stingrays captaincy, which has yet to be announced.
“Hopefully those boys that got an opportunity last year are driven from that last result and are spurred on a bit during the year and play a nice exciting brand of team-oriented footy,” Black said.
Dandenong has returned four 19-year-old players with Blake Mullane, Elliott Hunt, Jayden Tomkins, Troy Jacobson and Joel O’Sullivan back for another shot in the TAC Cup.
“Troy and Joel were injured all last year and didn’t get a game,” Black said.
“Mullane has been in the system for a year and Hunt only came into our system half way through the year.”
Dandenong plays its last practice match of the TAC Cup pre-season against the Gippsland Power on Sunday 16 March at Garfield in three games – Under 16 at 11am and two Under-18 games at 1pm and 3pm.
