DANDENONG Stingrays midfielder Charley Ryan is the Rookie Me Central NAB League Girls Player of the Week for Round 2. The top-ager starred in her side’s record-breaking 135-point win over the Gippsland Power at Churchill on Saturday, continuing her strong start to the season.

The 17-year-old put up huge numbers, collecting 26 disposals, six marks, six inside 50s and booting five straight goals to lead a line of outstanding individual performances. She beat out Geelong Falcons match winner Elizabeth Dowling in our weekly poll, after the returnee swung forward again to boot 5.2 from her 24 disposals and five marks against Murray Bushrangers.

Ryan is the second country prospect in as many weeks to take out the honour, reflecting the strength of both Dandenong and the country regions as a whole this year. She was the second Stingray to be nominated, after Amber Clarke got a look in for her own five-goal haul in Round 1.

Now 2-0 and looking a genuine premiership favourite, Dandenong will next take on the Bendigo Pioneers on Sunday in a neutral clash at Highgate Recreation Reserve. With averages of 20.5 disposals, four marks, four tackles, and four inside 50s across her two games thus far, it will be another chance to impress for Ryan.

2021 ROOKIE ME CENTRAL NAB LEAGUE GIRLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1: Zarlie Goldsworthy (Murray Bushrangers)
Round 2: CHARLEY RYAN (Dandenong Stingrays)