ONE OF a number of vital contributors to the Dandenong Stingrays’ undefeated season and grand final victory, Zoe Zach said the playing group was “connected” and had everyone playing their role which lead to the success. Zach herself was pivotal on the big day, claiming the best on ground medal for her 21 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances and a goal in the 9.3 (57) to 3.9 (27) win.

Zach said she “100 per cent” believed the fact the Stingrays had such incredible depth, was the key reason behind the flag charge.

“I think we’ve got a lot of depth in our group,” the midfielder said. “I think our connection as well, we are so connected as a group. “Our bottom six are probably better than most teams I’d say, we have a lot of depth and everyone just plays their role really well, it’s good.”

On the game itself, Zach said she had enjoyed celebrating the win with her teammates, describing the moment of being called out as best on ground as something unexpected.

“I was pretty surprised actually, I didn’t actually think much about that, but it was really, really special to be awarded that,” she said.”

The Vic Country representative missed out on a Draft Combine invitation – one of a number of players who could be considered ‘unlucky’ – but Zach has taken plenty of lessons from 2026.

“I think I definitely have had my ups and downs throughout the season but just grinding it out and it’s been really good and I’ve learnt a lot this year,” Zach said. “Especially getting moved into the midfield which has been nice.”

On that midfield move, the former defender said it came “naturally” and it was more about just adapting to the specific actions that onballers faced more often than those behind the ball.

“I guess I’ve always tried even going through juniors played midfield, so it came more naturally to me than say defending did,” Zach said. “But I think just playing off instinct a bit more and not really second guessing. Just with training, more on the specifics on a contested groundball or whatever it may be.”

Zach claimed her confidence and foot skills had improved throughout the year, but she was still focused on further building the latter with her endurance.

“I’d say probably just my confidence and taking the game on a bit more (is my biggest improvement),” she said. “Probably my kicking as well, I think I’ve improved a bit which is always good.

“[My main focus is] Still my kicking for sure, and just my running patterns, like around the ground so I can work smarter, not harder.”

Dandenong Stingrays only had five players who ran out in the club’s losing grand final to Eastern Ranges last season, and while Zach would have made it half a dozen – not missing through injury or non-selection – she instead watched on via the stream due to a school camp in the Top End. The decision to go was something she had to weigh up, but at that point, it was well before the Rays had made the grand final.

“I wasn’t originally going to go on the trip and then I thought ‘what if we don’t even make the grand final?’ as we had to say yes to it in advance,” Zach said. “It was bittersweet, obviously the trip was great, but not being in a grand final – which we didn’t know if we were going to make it – they don’t come around often. “It wasn’t good, it is what it is.”

Zach enjoyed her time with Vic Country this year, describing her favourite aspect of state representation as meeting new people and finding it “pretty cool to have friends all over the state”. With the regular season done and dusted, the Stingrays top-ager now has her sights set on going as far as she can with her football, be it the elite level or not.

“I mean getting drafted is obviously the biggest dream so that would number one goal, but I think just to keep playing and enjoying my footy no matter where I’m at, and just to keep getting better,” Zach said.