DANDENONG Stingrays coach Nick Cox is excited by his squad’s potential to produce players who “fit the bill” this year, on top of four outstanding Vic Country talent hub members. The Rays begin their Coates Talent League campaign on Sunday, but before then, see what the head coach had to say about their season ahead.

PRESEASON

“This year the boys had a little bit more time off over the break and to their credit they’ve come back in great condition. I think most of them came back from December to January running better times, which is great. So, we’re in pretty good nick at the moment, we’re nice and fit. Just looking forward to games.”

TOP PROSPECTS

Cooper Hynes
Midfielder/Forward | 190cm | 28/02/2006

“He’s been great. His body shape’s changed and he’s got a haircut, which is nice. He looks fit and strong and ready to go. He’s been a real standout this year, along with (Langford and Mraz). Co-captain as well, leading from the front with actions and words. He’ll be that mid-forward type, is powerful and strong and just doing some really nice things.”

Vic Country Hub

Harvey Langford
Midfielder/Forward | 190cm | 15/03/2006

“Harvey’s going well. He’s one of our co-captains setting some really good standards of training. He had a great year last year but he’s just continued to improve in the areas that he needed to. Some of the things he’s been doing at training – the point of difference with his aerial stuff and then getting better with his craft as a midfielder – has been really good.”

AFL Academy, Vic Country Hub

Noah Mraz
Key Defender | 198cm | 20/02/2006

“Unfortunately Noah got concussed in a bit of match sim and he may miss Round 1… (but) he’s going very well. He runs a 6:30 2km, he’s been doing some really nice stuff at training and he’s become better, and that’s what we want to see.

“Big blokes are hard to find so hopefully he’ll give himself every opportunity going forward this year… he’s played defence, he’s been doing a little bit of craft up forward. We know that he can show a little bit of agility and versatility going into the ruck.”

AFL Academy, Vic Country Hub

ONES TO WATCH

“There’s been a few. Henry Hayes is one who didn’t play too many games last year. He’s that Bayley Fritsch type – left-footer, good agility. Struggled with some sickness last year, so his improvement has been fantastic over the summer.

“Harrison Doughton has got some real talent and last year was on the cusp of possible development, getting looked at a little bit closer with Vic Country opportunities this year. He’s got, some real tricks and is doing stuff nicely at training.

“Ben Hopkins is a 19-year-old who’s done the whole preseason at North Melbourne and just been listed by them. He’ll come back and play some games with us with genuine midseason draft hopes. Just got better in so many areas.”

LEADERSHIP GROUP

“Elwood Peckett is in our leadership group, a St Kilda father-son chance. He’s starting to show what he can do and put his name forward. Strong inside mid. Noah Mraz is our vice-captain, and we’ve got a 17-year-old Max Lee who’s doing some nice things as well.”

Harvey Langford & Cooper Hynes (co-captains)
Noah Mraz (vice-captain)
Elwood Peckett, Max Lee

2024 GOALS

“The cliche is to be competitive, but I think the thing that I’m excited about this year is that we do have some players that fit the bill… the exciting part is in six months time there’s going to be players that we’re talking about that probably no one was or weren’t on the radar for the people that matter.

“For us, hopefully we’ll see the dramatic improvement in them. Also from a team point of view, just giving themselves an opportunity. For some of these boys, this is the highest that they’re going to play, so hopefully they’ll represent really well and you never know where they’ll go.”

ROUND 1

“I’m excited, the boys are excited to finally get an opportunity to play against some real opposition. I think from the country point of view the Rebels will be the team to beat… we’ve played a fair bit against each other and we know what each other does.”

vs. Geelong Falcons @ Deakin University
Sunday March 24, 1:00pm