By JARROD POTTER
The initial Vic Country batch from the Dandenong Stingrays is ready to test itself on the national stage.
Taking on Western Australia on the massive Perth ground, Vic Country’s opening clash of the carnival will feature seven Stingrays and plenty from the SEFNL ranks.
Berwick duo Reece Piper and Oscar Clavarino will stand side-by-side in the Vic Country backline with good support from Tom Jok (Beaconsfield), Josh Battle (Doveton), Sam Fowler, Mitch McCarthy and Myles Poholke also earning a place in the initial side.
Dandenong Stingrays region manager Mark Wheeler thinks the Stingrays Seven showed why they have earned their spots.
“Definitely pleasing for them – they’ve worked hard since October – some are only 18 months into their career and showing a fair bit,” Wheeler said.
“They’ve definitely earned it – no one got a free gift – everyone earned the right to be chosen.
“We’re disappointed some missed out, but that’s footy.”
Wheeler said AFL Academy duo Battle and Poholke, who will hopefully improve their draft stocks heading into the second half of the season, are players to watch.
“Battle is coming into pretty good form.
“One of the most dangerous forwards in the country set up, he kicks his three or four goals then moves into the midfield and bolster his claims in the draft.
“Poholke should get a little bit more game time and play that Dustin Martin style and bring that to the game and use his space and power.”
He also thinks eyes should be kept on Fowler and Piper – with the small tandem at either end set to shine under the watchful eye of AFL recruiters.
“Sammy Fowler, which we’ve all spoken about the stories that have been written, we liken him to the rookie draft,” Wheeler said.
“His coach Koopie (Doug Koop) at Dromana did a lot of work with him taking him under his wing, telling him ‘that’s what I need you to do’ and that’s what he did.
“Craig (Black) has brought him in and said he can’t sit in the forward line – have to work hard and get up the ground and on the big stage will be a great test for him and we’ll see what happens.
“With Piper I think mentally it took a fair bit out of him and mucked him around a bit but the last couple of weeks he’s shown how dangerous he can be.
“You can build endurance but you can’t build pace and that, coupled with those 70m kicks he does out of the backline, is how you break a team up.”
With Vic Country selection and injuries decimating the ranks, Dandenong has 15 changes for its TAC Cup clash next week against Bendigo at Echuca, starting on Sunday morning.
