NAB League Boys: Eastern Ranges too strong for Dandenong Stingrays

Dandenong Stingrays coach Nick Cox is adamant his midfielder Will Bravo has what it takes to be on an AFL list.

Will Bravo on the burst for the Dandenong Stingrays on Sunday. Pic: AFL Photos

The message from Dandenong Stingrays coach Nick Cox is as emphatic as a shirt-front: give Bravo a go.

Cox made a spirited and effusive assessment of his 19-year-old player Will Bravo after Sunday’s match against Eastern Ranges at Shepley Oval, calling on recruiters to take another look at the pacy right-footer.

The Rays started encouragingly and finished strongly but in between they conceded a run of goals, a few of them gifted to the visitors with scrappy disposals coming out of defence.

Eastern won 13.13 (91) to 9.10 (64).

Bravo had 28 possessions – 13 kicks and 15 handballs – and kicked one goal for the Rays.

“I thought Will Bravo was one of the most influential players on the game,’’ Cox said.

“He’s got question marks over his finishing ability and today he was clean, he had a lot of really good moments.

“I think they (recruiters) might need to have a closer look at Will in the coming weeks. They’d be stupid if they don’t. Maybe they have to stop thinking about why they didn’t pick him last year and why they should this year.

“I think he should get an opportunity.’’

Daniel Didomenicantonio is one player who probably isn’t on draft boards, but the determined No 39 again gave the Stingrays stout service, always happy to take the ball and then try to take a dash.

Dandenong Stingrays coach Nick Cox.

Fellow top-ager and team leader Miller Bergmann (23 possessions) was exceptional again and was one of the few Stingrays who used the ball well.

“I reckon they (Eastern) kicked 7.6 from turnovers,’’ Cox said, perhaps adding a dollop of mayo to the tally.

“Our execution just wasn’t right at times and in this competition you get hurt for it. In saying that, there was some pleasing things and positives for the day. It’s not all doom and gloom.’’

He said the Rays’ group of 17-year-olds got them back into the game and their top-end players performed well.

Of the bottom-agers, Cox said Henry Hustwaite, Taj Campbell-Farrell, Sam Frangalas, Finn Jakstas and Billy Taylor competed with vigour and confidence.

“That was great for our program going forward, the way those boys went about it,’’ he said.

Frangalas, 16, a right-footer with power, is the son of former Sydney and Richmond utility Gary Frangalas, who was watching on from the Shepley Oval grandstand (he also played for Dandenong in the old VFA in 1991).

Patrick Gerdan returned to the Stingrays team from injury and shared the ruck load with Mac Andrew, who was again a stand-out with his athleticism and skill.

Andrew had 17 disposals. Henry Berenger had and James Cahill 21.

Eastern Ranges 1.4, 8.7, 12.9, 13.13 (91)

Dandenong Stingrays 2.4, 4.4, 6.10, 9.10 (64)

Eastern goals: T. Charlton 3, J. Arundell 3, K. Windsor 2, S. Ali 2, M. Hall, N. Watson, J. Soligo. Best: J. Weatherill, T. Leiu, J. Soligo, J. Clarke, M. Hall, T. Charlton

Dandenong goals: J. Culley 2, M. Bergman 2, B. Taylor 2, L. Robinson, B. Milford, W. Bravo.

Best: W. Bravo, T. Campbell-Farrell, M. Bergman, M. Andrew, F. Jakstas, B. Taylor