Four girls debut for Dandenong Stingrays in NAB League Girls

The Stingrays played two 15-year-olds as they defeated the Sandy Dragons under lights at Casey Fields.

Dandenong Stingrays NAB League Girls newcomers (L-R) Olivia Laity, Mikayla Cipriani, Mikayla Williamson and Bianca Lyne.

They started forming a circle as soon as they entered the changerooms.

It was created quickly and then the four girls who had played their first games – Olivia Laity, Mikayla Cipriani, Bianca Lyne and Mikayla Williamson – were pushed into the middle of it.

Then it began, an ear-splitting rendition of the song and a shower of water and energy drink from all directions.

Coach Nick Cox and team runner Matt Crozier got a good drenching.

The Dandenong Stingrays were a happy bunch last night after overwhelming Sandringham Dragons in the Round 2 NAB League Girls catch-up game at Casey Fields.

Dandenong Stingrays NAB League Girls whoop it up after their won over the Dragons.

They dominated it from the start to win 5.7 (37) to 0.3 (3). The margin would have been greater if they’d been slicker around goal; a lot of chances weren’t taken, particularly in the first half.

Hayley Monk received a free kick in front of goal right on the halftime siren and she steered it through to send the Stingrays in 2.6 to 0.0 to the good.

Amber Clarke, she with the blistering pace, put the Rays further ahead in the first 30 seconds of the third quarter and a short time later Ashley Richards put through her second goal.

The Dragons had to wait until early in the final quarter for their first score. They were outplayed but they never stopped boring in.

“Tonight the Stingrays girls showcased their talent against quality opposition,’’ Cox said after he’d dried himself off.

“There’s no such thing as perfect in football but we were pretty close to it with the way we executed things – keeping the ground nice and big, keeping our shape, giving us an opportunity to compete one-on-one – and the competitive spirit.

“In saying that, we’ve still got a lot of improvement to do. We’ve got a lot of upside to what we can do.’’

Rays coach Nick Cox addresses his players.

He said Richards was “sensational’’ and showed a lot of class around the ball.

Charley Ryan owned her wing as she pushes for Vic Country honours and Felicity Crank was influential with her long kicking from half back. She’s the daughter of former Dandenong VFA defender and Frankston Bombers premiership player Peter Crank.

“I think our so-called lesser players are starting to bridge the gap between their good and their bad, and that’s really pleasing,’’ Cox noted.

Of the debutants, Cipriani is 18, Laity 16, and Lyne and Williamson 15.

The Stingrays had played Tassie Devils last Saturday, had some sore players and took the chance to chance to introduce the four to the NAB League. “And they did OK,’ Cox said.

The Stingrays have six girls in the Country Under 19 squad: Clarke, Mac Eardley, Emily Shepherd, Jaide Anthony and top-agers Richards and Abbey Jordan.

Now 3-2, they played Bendigo Pioneers away this Saturday.