By Jonty Ralphsmith
Several Dandenong Stingrays starred in the Vic Country v Young Guns representative match at Ikon Park on Sunday.
Billy Wilson, Kade De La Rue, Sam Frangalas and Harry DeMattia each strengthened their draft credentials with eye-catching performances for Vic Country.
Wilson took his usual aggressive rebounding defender post and took marks, took grass and weaponised his leg-speed to get involved multiple times in attacking chains.
It was a statement game for Wilson, who started the season outside of Vic Country but has been seen by the Rays as one capable of pushing in.
Combined with his scintillating start to the year and the upside several clubs see in him, he looks close to a lock for Vic Country selection.
De La Rue was busy in the forward line, applying pressure and setting his teammates up in a lively display where he found plenty of possession.
He was injected to the last centre bounce, when Vic Country trailed by less than a kick, and won a clean ground-ball in-and-under, before releasing Coby James for one last forward entry.
The Young Guns held on to win the game, despite Vic Country coming back to claim the lead minutes earlier despite trailing by more than four goals early in the final stanza.
Frangalas worked hard through the middle and off half-forward, kicking two set shot goals from identical positions.
DeMattia, meanwhile, won the first centre clearance of the second half which typified all his traits: power, strength, and efficiency as he hit his target inside 50.
The Rays co-skipper’s on-field leadership also came to the fore late as Vic Country sought to hold on the lead, as he could be heard urging his teammates to slow it down and play with composure.
Playing wing, Kobe Shipp came into the game and had good moments while Jacob Grant and Ben Hopkins also got exposure to the level in their bottom-age year.
For Young Guns, Ziggy Toledo-Glasman had a sprightly first half involved prominently in some attacking chains but missing his only shot on goal.
Mitch Szybkowski was solid off halfback, while Joziah Nannup’s third quarter in particular showcased his pace and pressure.
Meanwhile, Dandenong co-skipper Cooper Simpson represented Australia in the under-18s AFL Academy game.
The squad, comprised of the 30 best prospects across Australia, defeated Carlton’s VFL side, played as a curtain-raiser to the Blues’ AFL clash with Western Bulldogs.
