AN INCREDIBLE Talent League Girls season saw Dandenong Stingrays win the 2026 premiership without losing a game, winning 13 of a possible 14 matches, as a draw with the Giants Academy became the only half-blemish on an otherwise perfect season. With such an even team across the board, the Stingrays played with incredible heart and produced a memorable game on the biggest of stages.

SEASON 2026

SNAPSHOT

Played: 14
Won: 13
Lost: 0
Drawn: 1

BEST PERFORMANCE

Grand Final: def. Oakleigh Chargers by 30 points

It was never, ever going to be any other game, with the Dandenong Stingrays tasting their first girls’ premiership success with a 9.3 (57) to 3.9 (27) win over Oakleigh Chargers at Whitten Oval. Zoe Zach won best-on for her performance of 21 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances and a goal, while Molly Reimers (20 disposals, 11 tackles, eight clearances, five inside 50s and a goal) was huge as well. Ella Bologa (17 disposals, three marks, three tackles and seven rebound 50s) rebounded well, while Scarlett Marsh (12 disposals, six tackles, four clearances, four inside 50s and a goal) was big and Gabrielle Mehrmann kept Bailee Martin to one goal.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

Sophie White (Mount Eliza)
Ruck | 184cm | 18/03/2008

Stats [10 games]: 6.9 disposals, 1.1 marks, 2.1 tackles, 21.5 hitouts, 1.0 clearances, 2.2 inside 50s, 1 goal

The National Academy member was a consistent threat through the ruck, making life difficult for any opponent and giving her teammates first opportunity at ground level. She got more involved around the ground in the 2026 season, and while not a massive accumulator, ticks the boxes with her ruck craft and athleticism that will make her an intriguing target for AFLW clubs.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Hannah Griffiths (Chelsea)
Key Forward | 181cm | 04/02/2008

Stats [14 games]: 7.3 disposals, 1.4 marks, 4.9 tackles, 4.1 hitouts, 0.8 clearances, 0.8 inside 50s, 11 goals

Another developing tall at the Stingrays who finished with double-digit goals. Griffiths does her best work at ground level with her pressure and athleticism, while still developing her aerial craft. She took a massive contested pack mark in the grand final which showed the strides she had made in season 2026, and looms as a long-term option. Laying almost five tackles per game for a 181cm forward is a massive plus.

Scarlett Marsh (Balnarring)
Midfielder/Defender | 162cm | 03/04/2008

Stats [14 games]: 19.4 disposals, 2.6 marks, 4.3 tackles, 4.6 clearances, 3.9 inside 50s, 1.7 rebound 50s, 8 goals

One of the most naturally gifted players going around, Marsh went to a completely different level in finals, almost dragging her side out of trouble and stepping up when needed at different points. Her all-round ability to win the ball on the inside or outside, impact offensively or defensively, cements her place as a player who can do just about anything. Just a really good natural footballer who might be on the smaller side but is so creative with ball in hand.

Gabrielle Mehrmann (Balnarring)
Key Defender | 180cm | 11/09/2008

Stats [12 games]: 8.9 disposals, 2.3 marks, 1.7 tackles, 1.8 hitouts, 2.3 rebound 50s

Won the battle that was the most crucial in the grand final, keeping Martin to one goal after her opponent got the better of her in the Vic Country-Vic Metro clash. Mehrmann’s bread and butter is her one-on-one work and competing in the air, using her strength and timing to impact consistently. Still developing other areas of her game once the ball hits the deck, she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty and do the team thing.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Dandenong’s bottom-age crop is where the Stingrays shine. Vic Country representatives Ella Bologa, Lily Brittain and Annie Clish lead the way, all providing different elements to the side. Bologa is the smooth-moving, damaging ball user out of defence, Brittain provides speed and pressure across multiple positions and Clish is one of the craftiest forwards in the draft crop.

Key position forward/ruck Amelia Hamod has a booming left-foot, with her and Shiloh Little forming a one-two punch in that rotational role. Defender Olive Henry was important in the second half of the year out of the back half, as Eden Rowe established herself in the midfield. Throw in the likes of Indiana Busuttil on the wing, Grace Patten in defence and Bailea Shipp in attack, and the Stingrays have every position covered for 2027.

Fast forward to 2028 and Shae Anderson (eight games) is a name to remember as a smart and skilful forward, playing in the Stingrays’ premiership side and kicking two goals. She and Misha Simmons (four games) both look likely types in attack for the next couple of years.