By BRAD McGRATH
DANDENONG Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats has a simple message to his players who didn’t make the cut for the Victorian Country team: don’t give up.
Yeats said the national championships, which began over the weekend, were “overrated” by media and outsiders, with most AFL clubs following the TAC Cup and the best teenagers in the feeder competitions closely.
He pointed to the path of former Stingray Jake Batchelor. Batchelor was not picked by Vic Country selectors prior to the national championships despite being one of the Stingrays’ prime movers.
He finished the season strongly and was eventually picked up by Richmond with pick 30 in the national draft.
“He got cut initially and I guess that it’s disappointing for players,” Yeats said. “It’s probably a little bit overrated. I think if you can display good traits and your skill set at TAC Cup level, you will be OK.”
With the media coverage of the potential AFL draftees at an all-time high, Yeats said the national championships could benefit some players on the fringe of being drafted.
The Stingrays have players who are considered certainties to be drafted, with AIS-AFL Academy squad members Lachie Whitfield, Jason Pongracic and Nathan Wright at the top of the list.
Yeats said it was important that less exposed players such as Taylor Garner, Lewis Pierce, Ryan Morrison, Nic Tuddenham and Billy Rolfe took their opportunities at the national championships.
“They’re the ones that we need to push hard and have at the top of their games in the ensuing weeks. The AIS boys are hand-picked for talent reasons. I think the top-level players are well exposed.”
The Stingrays production line was particularly well regarded last year, with Matt Buntine and Nick Haynes both being drafted by expansion club Greater Western Sydney inside the top 10 of the national draft.
Forward Brett O’Hanlon was then picked up by Richmond with pick nine of the preseason draft after Damien Hardwick took a liking to him over the summer.
Darren Minchington (St Kilda) and Piva Wright (Richmond) also won reprieves when they were picked up in the rookie draft. “I think this year’s talent is really good and up there,” Yeats said.
Vic Country clashes with NSW-ACT at Blacktown, Sydney, on Saturday at 1.30pm.
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