NAB League Girls: Dandenong Stingrays to play Geelong Falcons in eliminator

The Rays will regain some key players for their loser-out match against the Falcons at Shepley Oval on Saturday.

Grace Chapman battles it out on the ground for the Dandenong Stingrays against the Knights. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The home-and-away fixtures are done.

Now for the finals in the NAB League Girls.

And the Dandenong Stingrays will enjoy hosting rights when they meet Geelong Falcons in Saturday’s country conference elimination final.

The match will be played at Shepley Oval given that the Stingrays finished higher on the ladder than the Falcons.

The winner will meet either Tasmania or GVW Rebels in a preliminary final.

The Stingrays will have all but one player on their list available. Unfortunately, the missing player is speedster Amber Clarke, who sustained a knee injury at the nationals. She’s regarded as one of the best players in the competition.

Emily Shepherd takes a kick for the Stingrays. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The Stingrays lost to the Northern Knights by 14 points at Shepley Oval last Saturday, but to that team they can bring in Vic Country representatives Mack Eardley (ankle) and Jaide Anthony (concussion), as well as Jemma Radford, Ella Watts and Eloise McRae.

Radford played for the St Kilda VFLW side and was named in the best.

“We were a little bit inexperienced but at the same time the girls put in a good performance,’’ coach Nick Cox said.

“They should be happy with the way they went. We could have even pinched it in the end if we did a few things better but it was a great learning curve going into a final.

“And the experience and the exposure of the final will be good for them too.’’

In her fourth game, Bianca Lyne, 15, was outstanding in the ruck against the Knights.

Lyne was added to the main list after being on the train-on squad. The Stingrays regard her as an exciting prospect.

Hands up who wants the mark at Shepley Oval.

Ash Richards and Emily Shepherd played well in their midfield and forward roles, Charlie Ryan won her wing and half back Felicity Crank continued her strong season.

Cox handed the senior coaching duties to assistant Steph Binder for the day.

“It’s good to develop not only players, but coaches in the NAB League,’’ he said.

“She did a good job.’’

Saturday’s match against the Falcons will start at 12.30pm.

Rays talent operations lead Toby Jedwab pointed out the Geelong Falcons supplied the “spine’’ for the Vic Country team.