NAB League Girls: Charley Ryan boots five goals for Dandenong Stingrays

Charley Ryan and Jaide Anthony were exceptional on a dominating day for the Dandenong Stingrays.

Charley Ryan takes a kick for the Stingrays during her dominant performance. Pic: Jazz Bennett

Charley Ryan isn’t in the AFLW Academy.

Yet.

The versatile Dandenong Stingray enhanced her chances of an Academy call-up with a best-afield performance against Gippsland Power on Saturday.

She kicked five goals and had 26 possessions as the Rays won 22.17 (149) to 2.2 (14), the gap between the teams as wide as the Westgate Bridge.

Coach Nick Cox bumped into Academy coach Tarkyn Lockyer on Sunday and was quick to give Ryan some lift-off.

“It was a good all-round game from her,’’ Cox said this morning.

“She played as a mid-forward and her ability to be really clean and make good decisions was evident. Any girl who can go forward and mark it the way she does, and find space to create chances … that stands out in the NAB League Girls competition.

“She can also get up and down the ground. She had seven inside 50s, but also two rebound 50s.

“She has certainly started the year off very well.’’

Ditto for Amber Clarke, who followed up her bag of five goals against Geelong in Round 1 with another four.

Jaide Anthony was exceptional for the Rays. Pic: Jazz Bennett

She also had 23 disposals – and almost took the mark of the year.

Jaide Anthony, Ryan and Emily Shepherd topped the count with 26, followed by Felicity Crank (25).

Olivia Robinson had 21 possessions.

Mack Eardley kicked 3.1 after playing defence for three quarters.

Anthony kicked 1.5, the only blemish on an exceptional game.

“Jaide did things that she didn’t do last year,’’ Cox said.

“She put the ball into better positions and gave opportunities to her teammates and she’s worked really hard on her conditioning and she’s getting her rewards.’’

Felicity Crank kicks the Stingrays forward. Pic: Jazz Bennett

Taylor Gatt was again industrious on a wing and 17-year-old Meg Robertson, the daughter of former Carlton player Ben, showed out up forward with one goal and 18 touches.

Cox said his team had a lot of good players. But he also took time to praise the Power girls, saying they persisted right to the end.

“Credit to them. Their enthusiasm was clearly evident all the way through the game,’’ he said.

“It looks like they’re really engaged in the program and they had some good players, some 15, 16-year-olds playing against girls two, three years older.’’