DANDENONG Stingrays are without a doubt the premiership favourites and benchmark team of the competition. With just the one loss – a narrow defeat at the hands of Oakleigh Chargers – the Stingrays have the strongest attack and stingiest defence, and a massive 17 players who will test at various combines in October. They have already locked up the minor premiership with a whopping 62 per cent more than second placed Gippsland Power.

Wins: 13
Losses: 1
Draws: 0
Position: 1st
Points For: 1423 (1st)
Points Against: 662 (1st)
Percentage: 215
Points: 52

Fixtures:

R15: vs. Geelong Falcons – MARS Stadium
R16: vs. Sandringham Dragons – Trevor Barker Oval

National Combine Invitations: [5] Toby Bedford, Riley Bowman, Zac Foot, Will Hamill, Bailey Williams

State Combine Invitations: [11] Stephen Cumming, Sam Fletcher, Matthew Gahan, Lachlan McDonnell, Jai Nanscawen, Jamie Plumridge, Mitch Riordan, Bailey Schmidt, Sam Sturt, Jai Taylor, Lachlan Young

Rookie Me Combine Invitations: [1] Jake Frawley

The Dandenong Stingrays have two absolute crackers in the final fortnight which will give draft watchers a great idea of where they stand in the premiership race. If there was any doubt over their premiership credentials, then two wins against second and third on the table – at full strength – should just about erase any concerns. They have the ideal preparation leading into finals – two finals-like games, and not having to worry about dropping top spot. They will have a week off during Wildcard Round and are likely to face Northern Knights, GWV Rebels or Geelong Falcons in the elimination final. The Stingrays have the best tall division in the league with Bailey Williams and Riley Bowman leading the way, while Bailey Schmidt and Stephen Cumming are other talls who have kicked bags of goals this season. They have a great combination of skill, speed and strength in the midfield, with Toby Bedford, Zac Foot and Will Hamill those who have attracted the most interest. With 17 players in the eyes of AFL scouts, it is hard not to imagine them going deep into September.

Top Fives:

Disposals:

1 – Campbell Hustwaite – 273 (12th overall)
2 – Lachlan McDonnell – 232
3 – Jamie Plumridge – 226
4 – Jai Taylor – 183
5 – Matthew Cottrell – 182

Marks:

1 – Lachlan McDonnell – 52 (eq. 25th overall)
2 – Bailey Williams – 48
3 – Jamie Plumridge – 46
4 – Riley Bowman – 36
5 – Matthew Gahan – 35
5 – Zac Foot – 35

Contested Possessions:

1 – Campbell Hustwaite – 143 (eq. 6th overall)
2 – Matthew Cottrell – 99
3 – Lachlan McDonnell – 91
3 – Sam Fletcher – 91
5 – Riley Bowman – 78

Tackles:

1 – Campbell Hustwaite – 89 (3rd overall)
2 – Matthew Cottrell – 62
3 – Sam Fletcher – 50
4 – Jake Frawley – 49
5 – Jai Taylor – 47

Hitouts:

1 – Riley Bowman – 182 (7th overall)
2 – Bailey Schmidt – 181 (8th overall)
3 – Stephen Cumming – 117
4 – Bailey Williams – 102
5 – Bigoa Nyuon – 31

Clearances:

1 – Campbell Hustwaite – 70 (2nd overall)
2 – Sam Fletcher – 39
3 – Riley Bowman – 31
3 – Jake Frawley – 31
5 – Jake Carosella – 30

Inside 50s:

1 – Campbell Hustwaite – 62 (eq. 1st overall)
2 – Lachlan McDonnell – 59 (4th overall)
3 – Matthew Cottrell – 54 (6th overall)
4 – Jamie Plumridge – 42
4 – Jai Taylor – 42

Rebounds:

1 – Matthew Gahan – 32 (eq. 35th overall)
2 – Lachlan Young – 27
3 – Hayden Young – 22
4 – William Hamill – 16
5 – Daniel Frampton – 15

Goals:

1 – Bailey Williams – 17 (eq. 9th overall)
2 – Corey Ellison – 14
3 – Riley Bowman – 13
3 – Bailey Schmidt – 13
5 – Zac Foot – 12