DANDENONG Stingrays came within a win of lifting the Talent League Girls premiership cup, and while the side might have a number of big changes over the off-season, still have plenty of talent on the list that should see them competitive once again.

LAST SEASON

Played: 14
Wins: 10
Losses: 4

Producing the club’s best ever season, the Stingrays finally broke their preliminary final hoodoo by defeating Oakleigh Chargers and reaching the Talent League Girls Grand Final. While ultimately not being able to get past Eastern Ranges, Dandenong unveiled plenty of promising prospects throughout the year and will be one to watch again.

FIXTURE

Round 2: vs. Geelong Falcons | April 12 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 3: vs. Gippsland Power | April 18 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve
Round 4: vs. Oakleigh Chargers | April 26 @ Kinetic Stadium
Round 6: vs. Bendigo Pioneers | May 10 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 7: vs. GWS Giants Academy | May 16 @ Shepley Oval
Round 9: vs. Eastern Ranges | May 30 @ Kinetic Stadium
Round 10: vs. Oakleigh Chargers | June 6 @ Warrawee Park
Round 12: vs. Geelong Falcons | June 20 @ TBA
Round 13: vs. GWV Rebels | June 27 @ Shepley Oval
Round 15: vs. Murray Bushrangers | July 11 @ Deakin Reserve
Round 17: vs. Western Jets | July 25 @ Shepley Oval
Round 18: vs. Northern Knights | August 2 @ Shepley Oval
Round 20: vs. Tasmania Devils | August 16 @ TBA
Round 21: vs. Sandringham Dragons | August 22 @ TBA

Dandenong has to wait until Round 7 to play at its spiritual home of Shepley Oval, with four games scheduled there, and two earlier matches at Kinetic Stadium. They don’t travel outside the state at this point – though could be headed to the Apple Isle in Round 20 – taking on the Chargers twice as well as the Falcons.

TOP-AGE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Of the players named on the list as of now, the Stingrays will look to key talls Sophie White and Gabrielle Mehrmann as a couple to watch. White is a member of the National Academy and will hold down a ruck spot, while Mehrmann had a fantastic finals series last year and will be looking to build on that as a lockdown defender who can also provide some offensive run at the same time.

Alongside those two, skilful defender Scarlett Marsh is destined for more midfield time where she can put her decision making and smarts to the test around the ball. She and fellow defender Zoe Zach have been reliable players in the back half of the ground for the Stingrays.

Meanwhile up the other end, Dandenong captain Marlee Black will provide some spark in the front half, while vice-captain Jasmine Whitten is set to build on her 11 games from last season. One more to keep in mind is Ebony Stevenson – sister of former Ranges prospect now Box Hill talent Stasia – who can add a different look to the side.

FUTURE NAMES TO REMEMBER

Dandenong’s future appears bright with the one-two punch of Lily Brittain and Ella Bologa stars to watch ahead of 2027. Brittain was one of the top Vic Country prospects playing through the middle and up forward, while Bologa was not far behind, providing stacks of run off half-back and winning best on ground in the Herald Sun Shield final last year.

A name for Brisbane fans to track for the year is Emily Leppitsch. Though still 18 months away from being draft eligible, Leppitsch is of course the daughter of triple premiership player Justin.

SUMMARY

Dandenong Stingrays have a good depth of talent between over, top and bottom-age prospects this year, and while some stars have left over the off-season as is often the case with the league each year, there is still plenty to like about the Stingrays and what they can produce in 2026.