DANDENONG Stingrays came continued their impressive unbeaten streak with a strong 42-point victory over Oakleigh Chargers at Warrawee Park on the weekend. With the Chargers missing several key players due to the AFLW Academy-All Stars match, the Stingrays overcame a tight start and inaccuracy to win, 7.14 (56) to 2.2 (14).

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#5 Isabelle Godfrey
Wing | 162cm | 11/08/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s

Godfrey was highly influential with her side-to-side movement on the wing, constantly keeping her head on a swivel and looking to transition the ball quickly. She read the play superbly, intercepting well in the middle-forward side of the centre, though occasionally turning the ball over when kicking under pressure or at speed. Godfrey showed great spatial awareness, selling candy to create space for herself, and despite a fumble in the second quarter, she recovered quickly to handball away. A busy performance where she also showed urgency in defence.

#6 Leni Lockyer
Defender | 164cm | 26/03/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 5 rebound 50s

Lockyer had her moments battling one-on-one and taking the kick-out duties for the Chargers. Her kick-outs were usually safer options through a mix or piercing long passes, with some effective short passes to the back pocket and half-back, while also taking the risk to go longer and get speed on the ball. She worked hard defensively, applying good pressure. Lockyer was desperate in her attempts to clear it from defence, utilising quick flick handballs and generally finding targets when exiting the backline.

#17 Lily Parker
Defender | 170cm | 12/12/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 7 rebound 50s

Sharing the kick-out responsibilities, Parker provided plenty of drive from the defensive end with a game-high seven rebound 50s. She was effective early, finding targets at half-back and showing her ability to kick off her left boot. However, her kick-outs became a mixed bag in the third term, with one direct turnover to Annie Clish before responding by nailing her next pass. Parker saved a certain goal with a crucial mark in the final quarter, but her tendency to want to run out of the backline put her under immediate pressure which resulted in her being run down a couple of times just as she got her kicks away.

#36 Molly Phillips
Forward/Midfielder | 165cm | 01/10/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 rebound 50s

A high-production game from Phillips, who found plenty of the ball and consistently got to the right spots. Playing predominantly on-ball, she was under pressure early, throwing the ball onto her boot and missing targets by hand, but she worked her way into the game beautifully. Her clean hands at ground level were a highlight, and she showed great strength to stand up in tackles and release handballs. While her kicking could be a little hit and miss at times, including a smothered attempt on the wing, her work rate was undeniable. She spread nicely from the contest, thumped the ball down the corridor, and gathered well at half-back to drive her team forward.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#2 Molly Reimers
Tall Utility | 169cm | 25/07/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Starting on-ball, Reimers brought great pressure early and showcased clean hands at ground level and quick distribution on the wing. She worked incredibly hard both ways, pushing right up to half-back to assist the defence before winning a free kick in the middle and driving the ball forward. Her reading of the play was excellent, highlighted by an intercept mark inside 50 where her set shot fell short but was marked by a teammate for a goal. Reimers was strong in the air, taking six marks, including a solid grab at half-forward, and consistently turned defence into attack with her powerful kicking.

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Marsh was a standout in the midfield, leading all comers with seven clearances and making quick, smart decisions with ball in hand. Her defensive awareness was elite, perfectly reading Godfrey’s attempt to step her and laying a textbook tackle. Marsh was incredibly clean below her knees, picking the ball up beautifully on the wing and showing she is more than comfortable using her non-preferred boot. She held her line well to take marks in the corridor and consistently found loose players in space. Even on the rare occasions where her execution wasn’t perfect, her decision-making was sound. A true two-way star, she pushed forward to snap a goal and immediately followed up with a great tackle on Parker to force a turnover.

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Irving was a driving force for the Stingrays, leading the team with seven inside 50s. She played through defence and rotated on-ball, providing quick hands at half-back and driving it from the last line of defence. Moving into the midfield, she excelled as a second or third possession receiver, consistently getting the ball wide to the wing. She took some good intercept marks in the corridor, though her subsequent passes inside 50 sometimes lacked pinpoint accuracy. Despite a few rushed handballs and intercepted kicks, her ability to win the ball and push it forward was vital.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Zach was a busy presence on-ball, particularly in the third quarter where she constantly drove the ball inside 50. She showed neat skills with flick handballs at half-back and quick hands on the wing to direct her teammates forward. Zach recovered well from a missed handball to gather and kick forward, and despite dropping a mark, she had the presence of mind to quickly put the ball forward, setting up a goal for a teammate. Her inside work is always a highlight, and she accumulated the ball consistently.

#13 Marlee Black
Forward | 164cm | 14/05/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 behind

The Dandenong Stingrays’ skipper was dangerous when pumping the ball into attacking zones, taking uncontested marks and showing good composure to lower her eyes. She was clean at ground level in the middle and applied fantastic tackling pressure. While on one occasion tried to do too much – getting pinged for holding the ball after a fend-off at half-forward – her creativity was a major asset. This was best highlighted in the final quarter when, rather than blazing away at goal, she delivered a brilliant handball to a teammate in the pocket for a goal assist.

#14 Annie Clish
Forward | 170cm | 25/05/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 5 behinds

The dynamic bottom-ager was incredibly active inside 50 but had a frustrating day in front of goal, finishing with five behinds. She competed hard in the air and created numerous opportunities for herself, including a lovely gather off the half-volley and a strong tackle in the middle to win a clearance. Her shots on goal were desperately unlucky; one bounced the wrong side of the post, another took a harsh right-angle bounce after looking on target, and a quick snap from the boundary hit the post. Despite the inaccuracy, her ability to generate scoring shots and apply forward pressure was commendable. Even got some on-ball minutes late in the match.

#26 Ella Bologa
Defender | 161cm | 10/09/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Bologa read the play beautifully, pushing up to the wing to intercept and drive the ball back inside 50. She was clean at ground level and applied immense physical pressure, highlighted by a huge tackle to lock the ball up in the second quarter. Her kicking action under pressure was lovely, and she showed great confidence to take marks at half-forward and in the middle, immediately playing on to keep the momentum going. Bologa’s agility was on display as she swivelled her hips at half-back to hit a target on the wing, consistently working hard to win the ball at ground level.