LADDER leaders Dandenong Stingrays survived one almighty scare from Geelong Falcons, but the undefeated ‘Rays held on to win by five points at Shepley Oval in the first of four quarter finals over the weekend. The Stingrays advanced through to the preliminary final, but never looked completely comfortable, eventually coming away with the 6.6 (42) to 5.7 (37) victory.

We took a look at some of the players who caught the eye across both sides.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#1 Sophie White
Ruck | 184cm | 18/03/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 28 hitouts, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The National Academy member was influential through the ruck, showcasing her ruck craft against another usual high-volume hitout-winner in Lexie Whatley. White is still developing her contested marking, but worked well into space to be a target both on the wing and at half-forward, while pumping the ball inside 50 on a number of occasions to keep the pressure on the opposition defence.

#3 Scarlett Marsh
Midfielder | 162cm | 03/04/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal

Busy and industrious as ever, albeit more erratic than usual with the nicely skilled Marsh making some uncharacteristic errors by foot. She showed she could use both sides of her body, and even got creative with a mid-air soccer kick, though that and some of the former were intercepted or turned over. Still, she was the one that took it upon herself to get the Stingrays on the board, snapping home their first late in the second term from long-range and pressed well out of the middle to pump it forward. Never stopped running.

#10 Evi Irving
Defender/Midfielder | 167cm | 18/12/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Irving’s positioning was a particular highlight in the win, constantly finding herself in the right spots which spoke to both her reading of the play and footy IQ. She was strong overhead, positioned herself accordingly, and took some crucial intercept marks between the arcs, while also dropping back to release the pressure valve. Irving is really god at playing to her strengths and within her limitations, to have an impact on each game she plays.

#11 Lily Brittain
Midfielder/Wing | 161cm | 26/01/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Brittain started on-ball and then after skipper Marlee Black’s injury, rotated onto that wing and took off from there. She was lively throughout the contest, busy in close and able to flick off quick handballs. Her footy smarts stand out, and while that consistency in execution is still a work in progress, delivered a nice positioned ball, even if a touch wobbly, into Bailea Shipp on the lead in the fourth quarter. Set up a goal to Hannah Griffiths with some quick hands to keep the fast transition going during the second quarter as well.

#12 Zoe Zach
Midfielder | 165cm | 09/12/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Strong and contest around the coalface and always putting her body on the line, Zach applied immense pressure to the opposition, and worked to win the ball in space as wekll. She covered the ground well to do more than just inside the contest, and at one point in the last quarter, won a centre clearance by pumping it high to the wing, then followed up to win the ball for another touch, broke through a tackle and kicked to half-forward. Has the strength to stand up in tackles and can provide both offensive and defensive impact. Just that touch of extra pace is the next step.

#19 Olive Henry
Defender | 170cm | 11/05/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The bottom-aged defender continues to play some really good footy out of the back half and mop up a lot of ball when under pressure. She is quick to dispose of it, and aside from once when she lost control of it in the heat of battle, recovered and was able to deliver off by hand again. Took a number of relieving marks and her pressure at ground level matched that of her aerial intent. Worked up the ground at times and showed she had that offensive flair to her game as well.

#25 Jasmine Whitten
Forward | 160cm | 16/02/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

The vice-captain had to step up in the absence of skipper Black, and showed she was up for the fight. Such as strong player in the air and at ground level, Whitten always provides 100 per cent, and boasts a penetrating kick to go with her powerful presence to break out of tackles. She had a number of half-chances but a high ball to the pocket set up Amelia Hamod in the third term, with her only major blemish spraying a set shot from close range early in the match.

#45 Amelia Hamod
Key Forward | 186cm | 03/09/2009

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 8 hitouts, 3 goals

After a quiet first half with limited chances, Hamod came alive in the secnd half, booting three goals, including two back-to-back in quick succession. She juggled a mark in the pocket and then snapped another early in the premiership quarter, before completing her treble in the sixth minute of the fourth quarter by running in and delivering from close range. Tough to outmark, even if Hamod doesn’t clunk it, she nearly always brings it to ground and competes down there as well.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#5 Ava Bilyk
Midfielder/Forward | 169cm | 07/07/2008

Stats: 35 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 12 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 7 rebound 50s, 1 behind

What a season it has been from the brilliant Bilyk who could not have sent a stronger message to the National Academy selectors with her output in 2026. She has easily been the most consistent and dominant player across multiple levels of competition, despite her teams struggling at times. At stoppages she often had an opponent directly trying to nullify her impact, and she shrugged off the extra attention to rack up a dozen clearances, essentially thriving with the extra challenge. An out-and-out star who should be a top 10 lock with every club interested.

#17 Greea McKeegan
Forward/Midfielder | 176cm | 15/12/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Another player who is so good in the air, that if she doesn’t mark it, she will bring it to ground, McKeegan was busy throughout the match. The National Academy member was credited with a goal that was actually kicked by Avah Fursland at the death, and while technically she didn’t hit the scoreboard, always looked dangerous in the front half. A lovely ball user who has terrific athleticism and always draws a crowd.

#19 Jemma Andrews
Midfielder | 181cm | 28/09/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 3 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The powerfully-built utility spent her time around the ball and complemented the on-ball groupd well, then became a target in transition. Tall and strong, Andrews is one who is difficult to match up on given her sheer size, and she has a booming kick that can penetrate defensive zones. Good in the air, she did not win a stack of the ball but continued to provide an impact for the Falcons throughout the four quarters.

#23 Holly Confoy
Midfielder/Defender | 172cm | 06/04/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Has stepped up into a midfield role in recent weeks and played her part, with the dual-positioned defensive talent taking on the extra challenge with aplomb. She can be a touch hit or miss with her disposal by foot, but she finds space well and can strike that inside-outside balance exceptionally well. A key contributor throughout the contest for the Falcons.

#27 Claudia Collins
Tall Forward | 176cm | 26/05/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Doesn’t need a lot of touches to do maximum damage, and Collins showed that with two majors from 10 disposals. Her first got the team started less than two minutes into the match with a clever snap that bounced home, before her next major came from a similarly skilful play late in the third quarter that trimmed the deficit back to four points. Had another chance just before the three quarter time siren to try and snatch the lead, rushed into a shot off the non-preferred which was still a good attempt but bounced to the left for a behind.

#29 Meyah Fursland
Tall Defender | 175cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

The unflappable defender was her usual self in the back half, tasked with kickouts or being the next link in the chain. She is a no-fuss back who brings the pressure in teh air and at ground level, with neat touches and her head on a swivel when in possession of the ball. Took a few nice marks, and even when turning the ball over, does not let it worry her and just gets straight back to the next contest. Has an air of reliability about her in defence.