DANDENONG Stingrays reached their second Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final in history, and while also going down in 2025, provided plenty of highlights along with way with a host of top and bottom-age prospects to remember.

SEASON 2025

SNAPSHOT

Played: 14
Won: 10
Lost: 4

BEST PERFORMANCE

Preliminary Final: def. Oakleigh Chargers by 41 points

In one of the most remarkable performances of the season, Dandenong Stingrays booked their spot in the 2025 Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final with a four-quarter victory over reigning two-time premier Oakleigh Chargers. Evelyn Connolly booted four goals, while Mizuki Brothwell and Matilda Argus were among many stars on the day.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

Mizuki Brothwell (Balnarring)
Tall Defender | 175cm | 22/10/2007

Stats [13 games]: 16.9 disposals, 2.6 marks, 3.8 tackles, 1.5 clearances, 2.6 inside 50s, 2.5 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The National Academy member went from strength-to-strength in 2025, establishing herself as a consistent intercept defender, while having stints in the midfield and even half a game up forward to kick a maiden Coates Talent League Girls goal. Her reading of the play and ability to open up angles through the corridor by foot were impressive, and while she is still tweaking elements of her execution, she has improved it substantially the last 12 months.

Nalu Brothwell (Balnarring)
Tall Forward | 174cm | 22/10/2007

Stats [13 games]: 15.2 disposals, 2.8 marks, 5.2 tackles, 1.2 clearances, 2.5 inside 50s, 13 goals

Deservedly earned a spot with the National Academy against the All-Stars as a top-up player, and has enjoyed a really solid season. She competes well in the air and when she brings the ball to ground is not lost to the contest, able to win it back or apply fantastic defensive pressure. Her 5.2 tackles per match highlight the latter, and she averaged a goal a game at Talent League level, while also being a target up forward for Vic Country.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Matilda Argus (Balnarring)
Midfielder/Defender | 166cm | 06/01/2007

Stats [14 games]: 19.7 disposals, 3.1 marks, 5.9 tackles, 2.4 clearances, 3.8 inside 50s, 2.4 rebound 50s, 2 goals

Definitely one of the bigger improvers in the draft crop and her late-season form could have arguably had her moved up to the National Draft Combine. She has a really nice all-round base of footballing abilities and athletic traits. One of those players you would have in the ‘above average’ category across the board, she does the most damage with her run and carry, and has played across a multitude of positions for Dandenong Stingrays and Vic Country.

Evelyn Connolly (Narre North Foxes)
General Forward | 169cm | 26/05/2007

Stats [13 games]: 12.8 disposals, 3.5 marks, 3.0 tackles, 1.5 clearances, 1.8 inside 50s, 31 goals

While Connolly has played across all three lines the last two years, she really established herself as that deeper forward who punished the opposition. Left a few goals out there with some inaccuracy, but stepped up when her team needed her in the preliminary final to kick 4.0 and then booted the first Stingrays’ goal of the grand final before unfortunately coming off hurt. Earned a Vic Country spot too.

Charlotte Gilmore (Chelsea)
Wing | 172cm | 21/12/2007

Stats [13 games]: 13.6 disposals, 1.5 marks, 3.8 tackles, 2.0 clearances, 2.5 inside 50s, 1.2 rebound 50s, 6 goals

Another player on an upwards trajectory, Gilmore has always had that endurance-speed mix that is so valuable for the unique wing role, but the late-year born talent really came into her own as the year went on. She earned the call-up to Vic Country after missing out on the hub, and was able to work up and down the ground to support defensively, while also getting forward to impact the scoreboard. Kicked a goal every two games on average.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

At the top end of the talent pool in 2026, it is impossible to look past the ultra-versatile and smart Alice Cunnington. She booted 24 goals across her 14 games but remarkably not just played forward, but off a wing, in the middle and even the occasional quarter here or there down back. She’s just class personified and screams first round talent.

Next cab off the rank in terms of talent is clearly Ruby Geurts who has those ‘Ella Roberts’ traits about her. Not quite as developed at the same age, Geurts is great in the air, ultra-athletic and knows where the goals are. She can play all three lines, but her switch up forward brought out some remarkable highlights, and she oozes X-factor.

Developing ruck Sophie White had a strong end to the season and worked on her fundamentals with a stint through Vic Country too. She is great at the ruck elements of the game, and further developing other areas – as she showed in the past month – will be a way to further enhance her prospects in 2026.

Dandenong has some serious talent next year, but a couple of names who have seemingly flown under the radar are Scarlett Marsh – who we regard as one of the best kicks in the draft crop – and Marlee Black – an exciting high half-forward who can roll between midfield and attack – as well as key defender Gabrielle Mehrmann who had an outstanding finals series.

Add in the likes of defenders Zoe Zach and Evi Irving – a late call-up to the grand final to replace the latter – and next year’s Stingrays crop is looking ultra-healthy. While still a couple of years off and only had limited games (two), Lily Brittain starred at the National Development Championships and is looming as one of Vic Country’s brightest talents for 2027.