NAB League Girls 2022: Dandenong Stingrays finalise squad
Academy prospects Amber Clarke and Mackenzie Eardley headline a squad expected to do well in the season that starts next weekend.
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At the Dandenong Stingrays, they tell a good story about Bianca Lyne.
Last year she was brought in to play a “futures’’ practice match against the Western Jets.
She started on the bench – and was still there at quarter time, as region talent manager Toby Jedwab noticed.
Coach Nick Cox said she could begin the second term at half back.
The quiet Lyne politely replied that she normally played in the ruck.
In the ruck she went.
“And she just dominated!’’ Jedwab said.
“She jumped over everyone,’’ Cox added with a laugh.
Lyne went on to play five games in the NAB League Girls, getting named second-best against the Northern Knights and Geelong Falcons.
She was also added to the Vic Country Under 17s.
Lyne, who is also an accomplished equestrian rider, is among the Stingrays players to watch in the season that starts next weekend.
Cox are expecting a good showing from the girls, with the coach pointing out the Stingrays played a lot of “bottom-ager’’ players in 2021 and they would be better for the experience.
“Quite a few of the girls played ahead of their time because the top-agers weren’t overly strong,’’ he said.
“This year we think we can reap some rewards from that, individually and as a team.
“We’re pretty happy with the way the girls have taken on board what we’ve given them.
“We’re expecting to be a competitive side. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.’’
The Stingrays will five 19-year-old players: Jaide Anthony, Sarah Hosking, Alisha Liddle, Bella Enno and newcomer Charli Dobson.
Key position player Mackenzie Eardley and dasher Amber Clarke were included in the NAB AFLW Academy and are in the Vic Country squad with teammates Lyne, Charley Ryan, Emily Shepherd and Brooke Smith.
Cox said another six players could push towards the Country squad.
Clarke has speed to spend and has recovered from the knee injury she picked up at the nationals last year.
The Stingrays have a “daughter of’’ in Meg Robertson, whose father, Ben, played for Carlton.
Robertson is also a good basketballer.
This year in the NAB League Girls the top two Country and Metro teams will fight out the finals, with preliminary-final winners going into the decider.
“There’s a little bit more emphasis to finish in that top-two and get some more exposure for the girls,’’ Cox noted.
In another change, the girls will be coached by a separate panel.
Newcomer Kellie Fallon, Josh Moore and Marty Bonnett will assist Cox, and Jason Patton and Dan Chapman will serve as development coaches.
Ben Benson is overseeing strength and conditioning, assisted by Sammy Prime, and has the players in good shape, according to Cox.
Fallon, a schoolteacher, was match-day runner last year, and stayed on to be involved in the boys program.
“She’s got a really good rapport with the girls and they’re going to benefit from having her around,’’ Cox said.
The Stingrays meet Geelong at Deakin University in Round 1.
STINGRAYS SQUAD
2 Grace Chapman, Balnarring/Dromana Secondary College
3 Hayley Monk, Somerville/Somerville Secondary College
4 Olivia Robinson, Beleura/Frankston High School
5 Mackenzie Eardley, Beleura
6 Amber Clarke, Narre North Foxes/Rowville Secondary College
7 Bella Enno, Mt Eliza
8 Eloise McCrae, Narre North Foxes/Haileybury College
9 Ella Watts, Mt Martha/Peninsula Grammar
10 Brooke Smith, Beleura/St Francis Xavier College
11 Emily Shepherd, Mt Eliza/Peninsula Grammar
12 Alisha Liddle, Devon Meadows
13 Taylah Gatt, Beleura/Mornington Secondary College
14 Felicity Crank, Mt Martha/Padua College
15 Courtney Siwes, Narre North Foxes/Hallam Secondary College
16 Tara Heath, Mt Martha/Mornington Secondary College
17 Bianca Lyne, Beleura/Mornington Secondary College
18 Madison Graham, Rye-Sorrento/Dromana Secondary College
19 Maddison Otto, Frankston Dolphins/Frankston High School
20 Jemma Ramsdale, Pines/Elisabeth Murdoch College
21 Mikayla Williamson, Pines/McClelland Secondary College
22 Sophie Butterworth, Beleura/Mornington Secondary College
23 Willow Argus, Beleura
24 Abbey Tregellis, Bonbeach YCW/Mordialloc College
25 Amelie Blair, Devon Meadows/Hillcrest Christian College
26 Charlotte Blair, Devon Meadows/Hillcrest Christian College
27 Charley Ryan, Beleura
28 Charli Dobson, Balnarring
29 Jemma Taylor, Mt Martha/Padua College
31 Bec McLean, Beleura
33 Eleanor Butler, Frankston Dolphins/Frankston High School
34 Tara Quinn, Balnarring/Padua College
36 Olivia Laity, Balnarring/Padua College
37 Sarah Hosking, Pearcedale Baxter
39 Ruby Murdoch, Mt Eliza/Haileybury College
44 Jaide Anthony, Mt Martha
50 Hannah Adams, Beleura/Mornington Secondary College
52 Elisha Lane, Berwick/St Francis Xavier College
58 Meg Robertson, Berwick/Berwick Secondary College
Futures
Dakota Lehner, Frankston Dolphins
Jemma Reynolds, Langwarrin
Taliah Black, Karingal
Jessica Pacevski, Beaconsfield
Seikula Drodrolagi, Rye/Sorrento
Zoe Besanko, Frankston Dolphins
Kayla Dalgleish, Officer
McKenna O’Reilly, Officer
Tahlia Leadbetter, Balnarring
Tahlia Sanger, Frankston Dolphins
Poppy Murdoch, Mt Eliza
Stella Rogers, Mt Martha
Sophie O’Brien, Balnarring
Jemaya Bressnan, Mt Martha
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