TAC Cup preview: Dandenong Stingrays

DANDENONG Stingrays are one of the strongest sides coming into season 2018. Last year they had six players drafted, including three in the first round with Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne), Hunter Clark (St Kilda) and Aiden Bonar (GWS) all selected – two of which will play their first AFL games this weekend. Others that were drafted include draft bolter Tom De Koning (Carlton), Oscar Clavarino (St Kilda) and Tom Murphy (North Melbourne).

In terms of top-end talent, very few teams compare, especially considering they have four genuine key position players who took part in the AFL AIS Academy camp in Darwin. Twins Stephen and Matthew Cumming did not play a game last year but have impressed with a huge off-season, joining Bailey Williams and Riley Bowman as tall timber set to assist them across the ground. Bowman played 10 games in 2017, while Williams managed 18 to be a strong target up forward when Bowman was rucking.

But it is not just the key position players where Dandenong has depth, the likes of Sam Fletcher and Mitch Riordan lead a host of players that give the Stingrays plenty of optimism about the season ahead. Heading forward, the dangerous Jai Nanscawen (Averaged 1.7 goals per game in 2017) is always a threat and the classy midfielder in Will Hamill is likely to shine in his top-age year. Throw in the likes of Campbell Hustwaite (12 games) and Finlay Bayne (10 games) and the team has some serious depth. One player who did not get a chance to show his wares last season is Aaron Darling, whose season was derailed by a knee reconstruction. The elite kick missed the entire 2017 season and never got to follow-on from his bottom-age year given the AFL AIS Academy member was highly touted.

Others who became regulars last season in the Stingrays side were 19 year-olds Angus Patterson (20 games) and Lachlan Young (17), as well as Jamie Plumridge (16) and Jai Taylor (12). An excitement machine who just needs to find consistency is Toby Bedford, who with time could become a really valuable contributor. With a number of bottom-agers coming through the side, it is hard to find many weaknesses in the Stingrays line-up and you get the feeling they will be a great team to watch in 2018.

2017 Stats:

2017 Summary:

Dandenong Stingrays’ start to 2017 could best be described as a yo-yo. They broke even in the first 10 games, taking until round 10 to notch up consecutive wins. They continued their form with three more victories – against Western Jets, Calder Cannons and Northern Knights. They dropped a game to Gippsland Power, before storming home to win three of the last four games and reach the finals.

In the elimination final, the Stingrays looked down and out, but a superior performance from guns Luke Davies-Uniacke and Hunter Clark hauled them back from a mammoth deficit to run over the top of Eastern Ranges in a fantastic 13-point win. Unfortunately for the Stingrays, eventual premiers Geelong Falcons proved too good the following week, going down by 39 points at Simonds Stadium in the preliminary final.

2018 Snapshot:

Dandenong staff, players and families will get a great tour of the state in the opening month, travelling to five different venues in five rounds. The Stingrays kick-off their campaign at GMHBA Stadium this Sunday, followed by a clash in Morwell against the Gippsland Power in round two. The Country Triple Header occurs in round three which pits the Stingrays against the GWV Rebels, before a home game at Shepley Oval and a short trip down the Princes Highway to Warrawee Park.

Dandenong plays six games at Shepley Oval and two further matches at Skybus Stadium in Frankston. After their early three road trips, the Stingrays make just one trip to a country region – to face the Falcons at Mars Stadium on August 18.

2018 Fixture:

Dandenong Stingrays 2018

DateGameTime/ResultsVenueArticle
Geelong Falcons vs Dandenong Stingrays
Gmhba Stadium
Gippsland Power vs Dandenong Stingrays
Morwell Recreational Reserve
Dandenong Stingrays vs GWV Rebels
Queen Elizabeth Oval
Dandenong Stingrays vs Western Jets
Shepley Oval
Oakleigh Chargers vs Dandenong Stingrays
Warrawee Park
Dandenong Stingrays vs Eastern Ranges
Shepley Oval
Murray Bushrangers vs Dandenong Stingrays
Rams Arena
Dandenong Stingrays vs Sandringham Dragons
Shepley Oval
Dandenong Stingrays vs Oakleigh Chargers
Shepley Oval
Dandenong Stingrays vs GWV Rebels
Shepley Oval
Dandenong Stingrays vs Geelong Falcons
Shepley Oval
Dandenong Stingrays vs Bendigo Pioneers
Shepley Oval
Calder Cannons vs Dandenong Stingrays
Rams Arena
Northern Knights vs Dandenong Stingrays
Preston City Oval
Geelong Falcons vs Dandenong Stingrays
Mars Stadium
Dandenong Stingrays vs Sandringham Dragons
Trevor Barker Oval
Dandenong Stingrays vs GWV Rebels
Ikon Park
Dandenong Stingrays vs Sandringham Dragons
Ikon Park
Dandenong Stingrays vs Oakleigh Chargers
Ikon Park
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