Kane McAuliffe
STRENGTHS: + Contested game + Kick penetration + Leadership + Tackling + Power + Size IMPROVEMENTS: – Hurt factor – Outside game Much of McAuliffe’s best work this year was completed at the coalface, where he well and truly got his hands dirty. The big-bodied ball winner put up strong contested possession and clearance numbers […]
Riley Hardeman
STRENGTHS: + Accumulation + Endurance + Consistency + Leadership + Outside run + Speed IMPROVEMENTS: – Contested work – Opposite foot An athletic rebounding defender with good footy IQ and leadership qualities, Riley Hardeman shapes as a potential first round selection in this year’s draft. He came into 2023 with plenty of experience, having played […]
Sam van Rooyen
STRENGTHS: + Aerial ability + Agility + Kick penetration + Upside IMPROVEMENTS: – Consistency – Production The younger brother of Melbourne’s Jacob van Rooyen, Sam is cut from a similar cloth with a few differences. The largely key forward focused younger sibling is still filling out his frame at 83kg, but has elite agility and […]
Nick Watson
STRENGTHS: + Forward craft + Goal sense + Ground balls + Kicking + Footy IQ + X-Factor IMPROVEMENTS: – Four-quarter consistency – Size Watson’s craft as a small forward is just about unmatched by his peers; proving a menace at ground level, deceptively strong on the lead, and typically creative close to goal. He’s a […]
Jordan Doherty
STRENGTHS: + Follow-up work + Mobility + Production + Upside IMPROVEMENTS: – Contested work – Ruck craft Dandenong Stingrays ruck Jordan Doherty has emerged this year as a mobile ruck with plenty of potential. Having enjoyed a significant growth spurt over the last couple of years, he has been made to translate his game from […]
Riak Andrew
STRENGTHS: + Athleticism + Competitiveness + Upside + Versatility IMPROVEMENTS: – Durability – Size Often referred to with ties to brother, Mac of Gold Coast Suns fame, Riak Andrew began to truly establish his own path to the top level in 2024. He returned to the Dandenong Stingrays as an over-ager and found a home […]
Cooper Simpson
STRENGTHS: + Agility + Character + Clean hands + Kick penetration + Scoreboard impact + Speed IMPROVEMENTS: – Composure – Versatility Playing most of his best junior football in midfield, Simpson is an on-baller with points of difference. His turn of speed gets him out of tight spots and is a weapon through the centre […]
