Bottom-aged trio Darcy Szerszyn, Marcus Prasad and Angus Kennedy led the way for Dandenong in its 13.7(85) to 9.4(58) loss to Oakleigh on Sunday at Shepley Oval.
The Stingrays conceded seven goals in the first quarter and were never able to pull the margin back, but several players still shone.
Fresh off a reliable National Championships where he played three games as a no-frills defender, Szerszyn absorbed plenty of pressure in a 16-disposal, seven mark outing.
“I really liked Darcy’s form and as a coach he’s a player you love because he’s really good athletically, he can play taller and smaller than he is so I think he’s got a lot of benefits as a footballer to an AFL list,” Vic Country coach Rhett McLennan said of Szerszyn.
Gus Kennedy’s tenacity continues to impress as he finished with 18 disposals, alongside Callum Smith’s 21.
It continues a strong season for Smith, who stamped himself as a player on draft radars at the national championships.
“Cal’s hands and decision making is really sure. His work output is steady and he showed he (could play forward) too so I’m really happy for him,” McLennan said of Smith’s carnival.
Marcus Prasad, meanwhile, kicked two goals in a good small forward’s display and fellow Melbourne Next Generation Academy prospect Toby Sinnema was influential with 25 disposals.
A pacy winger, Sinnema has shown glimpses of his best throughout 2025.
“He’s neat by foot and had some moments in the different games,” McLennan said.
“He showed he had some defensive aspects to his game and showed what he could do against Metro’s small forwards and played to his strengths when he got the ball which was his run, carry and left foot.”
Meanwhile, the girls were defeated by the same opponent 8.5(53) to 3.7(25).
Alice Cunnington continued her strong form in the forward line with 18 disposals and a goal, while Kiara Triep and Matilda Argus were the other goal kickers.
