‘More actions than words’: Dandenong Stingray Charlie Orchard’s ‘significant’ rise to state combine

Charlie Orchard started the season wanting regular games with the Dandenong Stingrays and a senior debut alongside his brother. The ‘more actions than words’ defender now hopes to feature in the AFL draft.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Charlie Orchard of the Stingrays marks the ball during the 2024 Coates Talent League Boys Round 06 match between the Dandenong Stingrays and the Gold Coast Suns Academy at Belvedere Reserve on May 05, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos)

Dandenong Stingrays coach Nick Cox says Charlie Orchard lets his footy do the talking.

If that’s the case, Orchard’s footy has grown from a quiet whisper to an echoing yell this season.

The defender didn’t play a game as a bottom-ager in 2023 after injuring his knee before struggling to get into the Stingrays’ side.

But Orchard’s “significant” and gradual improvement has moved him from battling for a game to a “live chance” for November’s draft.

“He’s more actions than words, Charlie,” Cox said.

“The improvement from a 17-year-old who didn’t play a game to now has been significant.

“He’s got a really good balance between offence and defence and his offence is getting to a position where it hurts opposition.

“Last week he played on a dangerous forward and then the weeks before that, he’s still got to defend well, but he’s naturally been really good on offence.

“It’s a balance that is really hard for some kids, sometimes they go too far one way but he’s been pretty good at it.”

Orchard reaches for a mark. (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos)

Orchard started the year with the aim to get a regular game with the Rays and play alongside his brother Jack at Langwarrin in the Mornington Peninsula league.

He has done both, playing 14 games for Dandenong – 10 of which he was named among the best – and three games for the Roos.

“I just wanted to play Stingrays footy, play there all year,” Orchard said.

“It’s grown from playing there, to playing a role, playing good footy and going into finals now.

“It was a pretty big moment with my brother, it was really special to run out with him for the first time.”

Langwarrin senior co-coach Josh Beard was an assistant coach to Orchard’s team throughout his junior career.

Beard was rapt to throw Orchard into the Roos’ back six, knowing he could take any forward who came his way.

“He showed genuine leg-speed and a beautiful long kick,” Beard said.

“I think he fits right into the window of what the higher level of footy is looking at, he’s tall enough where he can take a tall and still mobile enough to take an outside role.”

Orchard marks. (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos)

Orchard’s impressive season has sparked AFL interest and an invite to the state combine.

The testing suits the athletic defender well but it will sit at the back of his mind.

“I was pretty rapt to get picked for that, I will hone in on those tests after our season ends,” he said.

“I am looking forward to the 2km but I do like a bit of a jump.

“I don’t really think about the interest from AFL clubs just as yet, I don’t want to overthink it.”

Cox said Orchard has “shown traits” on and off the field this year to take him far with footy.

“Good kid, good teammate, listens, respectful – and that will take him a long way, wherever he goes – VFL, AFL, local,” he said.