DANDENONG Stingrays boast six players in the Vic Country summer training hub and come into season 2025 with new strings to their bow, including an added depth of talls. We spoke to head coach Nick Cox about the year ahead and his region’s top AFL Draft prospects.

PRESEASON

“I think every preseason goes well, doesn’t it? It’s been exciting. We’ve added a few different elements this year to inspire kids to become better. Just using the tools in the area that are there for us. We had a camp down at Rye which was great for our community connection. The boys loved it, so things are going well at the moment. We’re pretty keen to play games though.”

TOP-AGE VIC COUNTRY HUB MEMBERS

Tairon Ah-Mu
Ruck/Key Forward | 198cm | 06/06/2007

“Tairon had a bit of a setback a couple of weeks ago but he seems to be going well now, which is great. He’s been very conscious of changing his shape and being as fit as he possibly can so he can compete for a pretty big season for him obviously.”

Josh Granger
Key Defender | 197cm | 06/02/2007

“Josh didn’t play too many games with us last year, I think he played one or two and was at school footy. He’s a developing tall who’s working on his aerial craft and his competitiveness and it’s coming along nicely. So, just need to see it put into action now.”

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 16/11/2007

“Noah’s in the Vic [Country] hub and obviously AFL Academy as well. He’s class, he’s very special and he’s got some traits that will obviously be showcased this year with what he what he’s done over the summer. So, looking forward to big things from him this year.”

Max Lee
Defender | 183cm | 24/07/2007

“Max is a little bit unknown, he did his shoulder last year. He started off with us early and didn’t really stand out too much, but he’s got some traits that are really exciting. Powerful speed, kicks the ball really well. He’s been exceptional over the summer as well, so looking forward to see what he brings.”

Toby Sinnema
Wing | 180cm | 11/12/2007

“He was lucky enough to spend two weeks at Melbourne through the NGA program there at the start of preseason, so he’s come back nice and strong. Breaks lines, kicks the ball well, really powerful with his running and his ability to get involved in chains.”

ONES TO WATCH

“Sam Lewis is going nicely. He was a starting mid with Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes last year as a bottom-ager. He had a foot injury, he’s over it. He’s a really good ball winner, good contested work, good aerially. Callum Smith, who’s come across to us from Oakleigh. An inside mid and half-forward, really good on both sides of body. I’m really excited about what he could possibly bring. Jay-De Varlet, he broke our high speed record at the club a couple of weeks ago. Powerful inside mid, half-forward type who’s been impressive as well. We do have a lot of unknowns that have never been in the past program before, so looking forward to see whether someone will pop.”

STANDOUT BOTTOM-AGERS

“Gus Kennedy, who was a Vic Country 16’s player. He’s got some really nice traits, Mitch Toner, a powerful forward/inside mid type. Marcus Prasad, who’s in the Vic [Country] hub, a small forward. Darcy Szerszyn, who was a Vic 16s [representative]. We’ve got an unknown player, Andrio Sousa, who’s been impressive thus far with what he’s been doing.”

RETURNING OVER-AGERS

“Henry Hayes is back with us, he’s done a preseason at Frankston as well. Come back bigger and stronger from being sick last year. Charlie Orchard, who wasn’t far away from getting an opportunity draft-wise last year, his improvement’s been significant as well. We’ve got Adrian Cole who’s come back to us from Sandy. He’s done a preseason at North Melbourne VFL. A bit of a fresh start for him with us, but been very impressive in the limited time that I’ve seen him thus far. The other two are Luka Pecer and Jordan Waters. We’ll just see what they produce, they’ve been a little bit injury prone at the moment. We’ll see what happens through the middle of the year with those guys.”

CLUB-TIED PLAYERS

“We’ve got Toby Sinnema, he’s Melbourne NGA. Marcus Prasad’s Melbourne as well, but he’s a bottom-ager. Oscar Lonie is a Collingwood father-son, and Callum Smith is the grandson of Kevin Bartlett.”

LEADERSHIP GROUP

To be announced.

GOALS

“I think it’s like every club and region, that’s the significant improvement of every individual through the development that we’ve been able to get them with all the tools that we’ve been able to provide. We always talk about the basic stuff of being competitive, but we actually not only want to be competitive, we want to showcase speed, power, and the ability to make quick decisions that will allow us to hit the scoreboard. That’ll showcase what players can and can’t do.”

STYLE OF PLAY

“I think we’re always a team that’s is trying to produce that, quick through the corridor, et cetera. We’ve added a few other elements to our game. We’ve got some big-bodied inside mids and we’re a little bit taller than what we’ve been in the past, so we’ve got representation forward of the ball as well. Getting it in nice and quick is probably one thing that will be in our game again. And just players understanding their role and being able to execute.”

ROUND 1

vs. Geelong Falcons
Sunday March 30, 12:30pm
Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham

“Geelong, they’re going to be tough. ‘Corra’ [Paul Corrigan] is a great coach and their region’s always strong – I think he’s quite buoyant with what they’ve got as well. I don’t think we’ve beaten them for a long time in Round 1 but it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about the ability to learn as well.”