FOR a second successive year, Dandenong Stingrays loomed as the team most likely to upset the top two sides, though fell short in the preliminary finals once again. The Stingrays boast an enviable amount of talent across the next few years, and it helped them produce some dominant performances throughout the 2024 Coates Talent League Girls season.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS

RECORD: 5th Overall | 2nd Country | 10-4 | 173.6%
STREAK: | LWWLWLWW | W | WLWWW

THE STORY:

Dandenong Stingrays showed great consistency throughout the course of the season to never lose consecutive games and win as many as four games in a row. Leading up to the preliminary final, the Stingrays had lost just one of their past eight and were in fantastic form. Though ultimately going down to the Chargers in the penultimate round, they can expect to have plenty of draft prospects stepping up in the next few seasons.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

A commanding quarter finals win over Gippsland Power saw the Stingrays run out 69-point victors at Shepley Oval. The Stingrays held the Power at bay for the most part and did struggle with inaccuracy during the second term to kick 3.7. However after leading by 30 points at the last change, the Stingrays slammed home 6.3 in a last quarter domination. The final scores of 12.14 (86) to 2.5 (17) really told a tale of the tape.

THE STAR:

It was difficult to single out one individual player, but Rookie Me Central Medallist Jemma Reynolds had a season to remember. The Stingrays midfielder stepped up to be a full-time onballer in 2024 after playing as a forward who pinch-hit in the midfield previously. Her work saw her consistently impact games with her clean hands around the stoppage and she found space well to get involved on the outside as well.

Reynolds averaged 23.4 disposals, 2.4 marks, 2.6 tackles, 3.8 inside 50s and 1.8 rebound 50s throughout the course of the year, while also converting five goals. Her durability was another positive for Reynolds who played all 16 games she could in a big year. The Stingrays draft prospect represented Vic Country in all three matches as well playing forward for two then going into the midfield for the third game.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Reynolds’ partner-in-crime was Kayla Dalgleish who spent time either as a deep forward or through the middle, and kicked nine goals from 13 games while averaging 18.5 disposals and 5.3 tackles. Her defensive pressure is what set herself apart from a number of other players, while tall duo Zoe Besanko and Elli Symonds caused plenty of headaches for the opposition. The latter missed the first half of the season but finished strongly.

THE FUTURE:

Dandenong’s future is promising with left-footed inside midfielder Lillian Snow getting comfortable on the inside, while Nikita Harris was a tackling machine. The most talked about duo will be twins Nalu and Mizuki Brothwell who play as a centre half-forward and centre half-back respectively. While both are around the 170cm height, their aerial ability and athleticism is impressive.

Matilda Argus ended the year on a high, with Molly Reimers and leading goalkicker Evelyn Connolly (21 majors) other bottom-age prospects. Alice Cunnington was an eye-catching force for Vic Country Under 16s and translated that form to be a wing/forward for the Stingrays. Ruby Geurts and Scarlett Marsh are a couple more Under 16s prospects with upside.