Named: Frankston players to watch in VFL

The Frankston Dolphins are setting themselves for a big VFL season. Here are 11 Dolphins to watch in 2023.

Langwarrin key defender Mitch Cuthbert has joined Frankston. Picture: Paul Churcher

Frankston won six games last season but plan to be a contender in the VFL this year.

Here are 11 Dolphins to watch in 2023:

Chayce Black

The son of former AFL player Heath Black joins the Dolphins from Wandin in the Outer East league. “He will add a little bit of dash to our small defender stocks,” Frankston coach Danny Ryan said.

Josh Butland

This is the Frankston YCW premiership forward’s second year in the program. “His footy IQ is pretty good, he’s got himself even fitter this year,’’ Ryan said. “He got his couple of games late in the year so now he’s got a taste he can maybe play at the level and we’ve got opportunities in the forward half, so we’ll see what he can do.”

Josh Butland.

Mitch Cuthbert

The key defender from Langwarrin is trying his luck at the higher level, at 26. He’s never been fitter. “He’s just a genuine, honest tall defender who is reasonably mobile, competitive,’’ Ryan said. “He’s learning to adapt to the level which is going to be tricky but we’ve got hopes for him.’’

Ryan Jacobs

The 21-year-old former Seaford and Haileybury player is an electric half forward type.

Matt Johnson

The 187cm forward crosses from Casey Demons and has kicked bags of goals for Beaconsfield. He was on Melbourne’s Covid contingency list last season.

Bailey Lambert

The son of Richmond best and fairest and former Brisbane onballer Craig Lambert goes into his fourth season at the Dolphins. “He’s fit and firing this year,’’ Ryan said.

Nick Minchin (right).

Mitch Szybkowski.

Nick Minchin

The 200cm ruckman’s arrival from Glenelg Tigers will help fill a ruck void left by Liam Reidy, who was drafted by Fremantle in November.

Colby Nayna

The grandson of ex-Dolphins coach Jeff Sarau was the club’s rookie of the year last year and he’s been super in pre season. “He’s hardly missed a beat,” Ryan said.

Tom Roberts (right), playing for Collingwood’s VFL side last season. (Photo by Kelly Defina/AFL Photos)

Tom Roberts

The ruckman from Somerville, who was on Collingwood’s VFL list last year, will add to the Dolphins’ ruck depth.

Josh Smith

The exciting forward is set to make an impact after crossing from Casey Demons. A former Gippsland Power player, he was a key target in the 2019 U18 Vic Country side.

Mitch Szybkowski

The Dandenong Stingrays’ 2022 captain and gun midfielder was considered the hard-luck story of the AFL draft. He trained with Essendon in January but will line-up with the Dolphins, determined to continue to chase his AFL dream.