Captain - Lachlan Williams
Vice Captains - Lachlan Batten, Mitchell Cox
Leadership Group - Captains, Brandon White, Kieran Collins, Jacob Weitering, Thomas Glen, Jake Lovett
On Thursday March 19th, the Dandenong Stingrays players, their families and the coaching staff came together to carry out one of the most important football rites of passage – the jumper presentations. One by one, the Dandenong Stingrays U18 TAC Cup squad leapt on stage to collect their guernseys, and officially join the elite Stingrays brotherhood.
The jumper presentations effectively serve as the conclusion to what has been a tough yet ultimately rewarding pre-season for the Stingrays, with many lessons learnt and goals accomplished.
The focus now turns to attaining success in the fast-approaching TAC Cup season, which kicks off on March 28th with the first game against Gippsland Power in Morwell. But talent manager Mark Wheeler is adamant that there is more to the Dandenong Stingrays than winning matches – it’s about achieving personal potential.
“We want to get them all to the highest level that they possibly can.”
His sentiments are echoed by senior coach Craig Black, who admitted that while it is always a Stingrays goal to make it to the finals, there is something that he prioritises more.
“To me, player development is more important than winning. If we can help our boys improve themselves, and then that wins us games, that’s great, but their development comes first.”
Two players who have benefitted greatly from this focus on development are Mitchell Cox and Lachlan Batten, the vice-captains of the 2015 squad. Both of them have been involved in the Stingrays program since Under-15s, so they know what it takes to be successful.
“I like to be noisy out on the field,” admits Mr Cox. “It gets the boys up and about.”
Mr Batten is also looking forward to grasping the leadership opportunity with both hands. “That’s what it’s about, setting an example and being a role model for the rest of the club.”
Ultimately, the entire squad shares the same goal for 2015 – to be the first Dandenong Stingrays premiership team.
“I reckon we can go all the way,” Lachlan Williams, the newly-elected captain, claims. “We’ve got a really talented group and we can definitely do it.”
TEAM GUERNSEYS FOR 2015 TAC CUP SEASON
- Luke DALMAU – Somerville
- James FREEMAN – Mt Eliza
- Jack DOMAN – Frankston YCW
- Zak ROSCOE – Cranbourne
- Mitchell COX [VC] – Narre Warren
- Jake DIPASQUALE – Frankston YCW
- Bailey RICE – Beaconsfield
- Brad KIELY – Langwarrin
- Jordan ROUSE – Mt Eliza
10. Miles POHOLKE – Sorrento
11. Thomas GLEN – Beaconsfield
12. Lachlan BATTEN [VC] – Doveton
13. Thomas JOK – Beaconsfield
14. Daniel CAPIRON – Caulfield Grammarians
15. Darcy WARKE – Edithvale-Aspendale
16. Zachary ROUSE – Mt Eliza
17. Josh BATTLE – Doveton
18. Harrison PRIOR – Pearcedale
19. Cory MACHAYA – Narre Warren
20. Jake LOVETT – Frankston YCW
21. Kieran COLLINS – Langwarrin
22. Jayden BUBB – Beaconsfield
23. Jordan STEWART – Beaconsfield
24. Gach NYUON – Narre Warren
25. Sean DOWNIE – Rosebud
26. Tom MURPHY – Somerville
27. Jake KELLY – Karingal
28. Kurt MURTIMER – Narre Warren
29. Liam MYATT – Narre Warren
30. Liam MCKAY – Edithvale-Aspendale
31. Jacob WEITERING – Mt Eliza
32. Daniel HUGHES – Frankston YCW
33. Thomas STOFFELS – Rosebud
34. Brandon WHITE – Beaconsfield
35. Liam HULETT – Bonbeach
36. Travis YOUNG – Mornington
37. Phillip RASO – Devon Meadows
39. Jack HOLDEN – Edithvale-Aspendale
40. Lachlan WILLIAMS [CAPTAIN] – Somerville
41. Ryan GAINS – Berwick
42. Danny ALLSOP – Red Hill
43. Emmett YAWNEY – Berwick
44. Sean NICHOLSON – Berwick
45. Sam PICKESS – Frankston YCW
46. Mason DE WIT – Mt Eliza
47. Robert TURNBULL – Mt Eliza
48. Josh STEEN – Edithvale-Aspendale
49. Brenton WELLS – Narre Warren
50. Michael MILIVOJEVIC – Narre Warren
51. Ben GRAHAM – Chelsea
52. Caleb MILLMAN – Noble Park
53. Reece PIPER – Berwick
54. Jack MURRAY – Noble Park
55. Malis LOKERON – Narre Warren
56. Max KLEVERKAMP – Sorrento
57. Matthew LA FONTAINE – Frankston YCW
58. Shannon GLADMAN – Sorrento
59. Kyle BEVERIDGE – Devon Meadows
60. Jason EDTMAIER – Narre Warren