IN a competitive week of action for outstanding individual performances, Dandenong Stingrays’ forward Sophie Butterworth earned our Player of the Week for Round 14. The tall forward benefited from a dominant midfield performance to slot five goals in a record-breaking 157-point win over Bendigo Pioneers and was unstoppable in front of the big sticks.

There were plenty of potential players putting their hands up for the Player of the Week nomination, but with the likes of Sierra Grieves and Sophie McKay already nominated – and best-on in their respective games – it was Butterworth who claimed the honour to be the first Dandenong Stingrays player this season.

In an accurate shooting display, the Stingrays booted 25.8 (158) to 0.1 (1) as Butterworth slotted five goals and one behind from 15 disposals. She also clunked four marks and laid two tackles, keeping close to goal with plenty of deep entries for her side.

The vice-captain has been a source of goals for the Stingrays this season, and since only booting 0.1 in the opening round against the Sydney Swans Academy, has kicked at least one gaol in every other round. Her five-goal haul on the weekend was a season-high, converting one more than her four against Geelong Falcons. Bendigo Pioneers (three goals) and Gippsland Power (two) were other multiple goal hauls.

In total, Butterworth has kicked 19.15 from 10 games at an average of almost two per match, while averaging 10.3 disposals and 2.6 marks. She has eclipsed her effort of nine goals in six games as a bottom-ager, and has also played three more games this season than she did in her first two seasons at the club.

Butterworth breaks a streak of four consecutive metropolitan Player of the Week nominees, and becomes the first Stingrays one for the year. She joins Chantal Mason as the only top-age Country player to earn a nomination this season, and one of six total top-agers to earn the honour.

Dandenong Stingrays take on Northern Knights at Highgate Recreation Reserve next Saturday, before a month-long break to conclude the AFLW Under 18 Championships. Upon return, the Stingrays face Tasmania Devils and Geelong Falcons – both at Shepley Oval – in the final fortnight of the regular Coates Talent League Girls season.

2023 RM CENTRAL TALENT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
Round 2 – Olivia Morris (Sydney Swans Academy)
Round 3 – Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges)
Round 4 – Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges)
Round 5 – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)
Round 6 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
Round 7 – Chantal Mason (Geelong Falcons)
Round 8 – Ava Usher (Gold Coast Suns Academy)
Round 9 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
Round 10 – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 11 – Amelie Gladman (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 12 – Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
Round 13 – Maddison Albrecht (Calder Cannons)
Round 14 – Sophie Butterworth (Dandenong Stingrays)