SAPPHIRE Coast AFL has been building strength in its representative Stingrays squad.
“Last year was our first real year back involved and we had a lot of interest,” assistant coach Luke Taylor said.
“We’re trying to build that up again.”
Taylor, who will also play in the back lines, said the Stringrays this year would boast a terrific mix of youth and experience.
“There will be a great mix. there is going to be some first gamers and I’ll be lucky enough to picked for a fifth time,” he said.
The team is set to take on a Canberra squad at Gungahlin Oval on Saturday.
“It will be exciting for the young guys to play in a tournament with a fair bit of talent,” Taylor said.
Some of the first-time rep players from last year will be more confident in their second round.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Scotty Hay play, he was best on ground last year,” Taylor said.
There is an array of star players on show.
“Aaron Proctor and Tyson Nunn look really classy at training, those guys will be the ones to lead the way.”
Will Dickinson and Tom Hammond will be up forward, in the back lines Taylor will join with formidable stopper Dylan Cook.
“I think we have a really good mix as far as the structure goes.”
Another one to watch will be Chris Dwyer, who is showing exceptional promise in his first year of coaching.
“To have that level of team around him and not worry about the coaching, but just play, I’m looking forward to watching that on Saturday,” Taylor said.
The Sapphire Coast has rallied since not having teams in previous years.
“We didn’t have a rep program for 4 or 5 years so it will take a couple of years to build the foundations again,” Taylor said.
“It’s great to have Paul ‘Feathers’ Noack coaching when he always wore his heart on his sleeve and was one of the better footballers to play in this league.
“But it’s not even just about the footy, being able to travel on the bus and spend a couple of days traning is vital for bonding.
“A lot of the players don’t play together at a club level, but there will be training on Thursday and game day Saturday should put us in good stead.”
The Stingrays will play Canberra at the Gungahlin Oval, Canberra, from 11am on Saturday.
Jacob McMaster
Last Modified on 20/07/2015 11:43