By BRAD McGRATH
DANDENONG Stingrays’ Clayton McCartney didn’t expect to be playing TAC Cup every week.
He certainly didn’t expect to be playing for Vic Country at the national championships.
The Cranbourne youngster has exceeded all expectations and highlighted his undoubted potential with a string of blistering appearances for the Stingrays.
To the insiders it’s no surprise that McCartney has done this, it’s just a surprise it has happened the year before he is eligible to be drafted.
“I definitely didn’t expect to get the call-up to Vic Country at the start of the year,” said McCartney, who is looming as a first-round pick in the 2013 AFL draft. “Once I got a couple of good games in with the Stingrays I thought I might but I didn’t take anything for granted.”
McCartney is quick. He also has that X factor that many indigenous players boast.
He models his game on Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli and Essendon livewire Leroy Jetta and believes he can play a similar role at the top level. “Cyril Rioli with his forward pressure is something I try and do,” he said.
The Hallam Sports Academy student said he hoped to develop further in the midfield next season with the Stingrays and give himself the best opportunity to be drafted.
“I want to push up the ground a bit and play in the midfield, but I don’t mind kicking a few goals as well,” he said. “It’s definitely my long-term goal to be drafted. It’s been my dream.”
McCartney and his Stingrays teammates are looking forward to the remainder of the TAC Cup season. “I’m quietly confident that we’ll hopefully make the top four,” he said.
“That’s our big goal, depending on how we go in the next couple of weeks. We should go close in the finals and hopefully make a grand final.”
Dandenong Stingrays host North Ballarat Rebels at Shepley Oval this Saturday at 11am.
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