DANDENONG Stingrays may have a small battalion of players in the Vic Country squad, but coach Graeme Yeats firmly believes Jake Batchelor can consider himself unlucky not to be among them.
Batchelor played in some of the early intra squad matches, where Yeats said he held acquitted himself well against the likes of the talented Billie Smedts.
But, what really literally hurt Batchelor’s prospects was a back injury he sustained after training one night.
“I’ve got no idea how it happened. It was sore after training and after a massage it was really sore,” Batchelor said.
“I had three to four weeks off. I did a lot a stretching and strength work and I haven’t had a problem with it since.”
Batchelor, in just his second game back from injury, was a standout for the Stingrays in its 33-point win against North Ballarat Rebels, a victory that saw the Stingrays hold down second spot, but with a game in hand over ladder-leaders Northern Knights.
The 18-year-old collected 18 possessions, but the telling part of his game was 10 marks, including three uncontested marks to earn maximum five votes in the TAC Cup Coaches award.
While Yeats has used Batchelor extensively as a rebounding half back flanker, he found himself up forward in the second half after he suffered a knock.
Batchelor took eight marks and kicked 1.4 in the second half, which only highlighted, Yeats said, his adaptability and his aerial strength.
“Jake is an athletic really talented left footer who reads the game and really takes it on,” Yeats enthused.
“He wins his own football, is really strong above his head, kicks the ball well and has been one of our most consistent players all year.
“He hasn’t got the accolades that some of our players have, but he’s very important for us. I’m not surprised he’s in really good form because he can really play.
“I think he would have been really solid at National level.”
Batchelor said the key to the Stingrays successful season has been the depth of the talent pool. Although Dandenong has been without nine players during the AFL Under 18 National Championships, Batchelor said players have stepped up and produced when called upon.
He said the ethos at the club was to support all your teammates. “We don’t rely on one or two players, everyone pitches in,” he said.
After experiencing defeat in last year’s TAC Cup Grand Final, Batchelor said the talent across the board is stronger this season.
“We’re not even talking about finals at the moment. I know it’s a cliché, but all we’re doing is focusing on who we play next and keeping up the pressure on the opposition,” Batchelor said.
Last Modified on 18/08/2010 11:46