No(ah) guy like him: Diving into a tough year for Rays' youngster

Image credit: Black Boot Photography

Dandenong Stingrays’ co-captain Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves has had to conquer an array of challenges this season. He battled a hamstring and calf complaint during preseason, endured a shoulder injury in round two, as well as a leg cork and concussion more recently.

Still, the 186cm athlete has stayed resilient and has made an impact in games across all formats, whether that be at talent league level, in the national championships, as well as off the field with his teammates.

In the first game of the season, a win over Geelong, he tallied 18 touches and one major.

But unfortunately in round two, just minutes into the opening term he would go down with a grade-two AC joint injury - that put him out for six-weeks.

He was a part of the Marsh AFL National Academy squad but couldn’t participate in either games due to that shoulder wound, which was frustrating for the youngster.

“It was annoying, but it sort of taught me a bit of adversity - moving forward instead of trying to think about the past, and only controlling what I can control.”

A four-goal thirteen-disposal outing against the Cannons on his return in round seven was among his finest, along with an 18-touch seven-tackle performance against the Devils two weeks later - where he snagged the game-winning goal.

Noah also put in a best-on-ground outing against Western Australia in Vic Country’s first game of the carnival. He kicked four goals total from his 18 disposals, with two of those majors coming in the final ten minutes to give his side a chance.

It is easy to notice him out on the track, often repping fluro Puma boots.

One of Hibbins-Hargreaves’ noticeable traits is his ability to show up in big moments.

“I think I've been in good spots to show it, but also think it’s driven by me as well. I take pride in those moments and like the idea of winning a game and the responsibility being on me.”

But not only does he play a role up forward, he has been influential in other areas of the ground, including the wing and stint in the midfield.

“The split between wing and high half-forward [is the preferred], I think I'm pretty dangerous when I go down there, and then I can help set up plays when I’m on the wing.”

“I feel like my game is based around more of an outside position but being able to show my inside game as well is good.”

He is a unique prospect that recruiters struggle to compare just one single AFL player too. Noah doesn’t limit to replicating just one, instead taking parts from a variety of others into his own. Sydney’s Isaac Heeney is one who he admires for his dynamic craft in the front half as well as taking inspiration from North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel, who is a smart and composed outside player.

The peninsula boy who grew up playing junior football for Mornington has always been involved in not only Aussie Rules, but other ball sports.

“It started with footy, golf, basketball, cricket as a kid. All through both my step-dad who I’ve been with for a long time, and my blood dad who is up in Sunshine.”

But it was always football for Noah, who played up as a youngster for many years at the Bulldogs - along with playing in his own age-group, making it two games on a Sunday.

“I was loving it but didn’t know how much I was cooking my body though - even at a young age.”

He eventually made the V/Line squad as a teenager which got off to a rocky start.

“I was kind of getting in my own head thinking that every game mattered - and the first one I played I was no good. I wasn't really happy with myself, I got a bit upset about it.

“But then I bounced back in the second game and ended up being on the preseason list for the Stingrays - which was a good moment for me and my family, including my Pa who loves getting around me.”

‘Noz’ played two games for us in 2023 as a fifteen-year-old, before running out in sixteen games the following year as a bottom-ager where he kicked twenty-three goals while averaging close-to fifteen disposals.

Along with that, he was selected for Vic Country and got to play over in Claremont.

Being named joint skipper in company with Max Lee hasn’t come with any unfamiliarity for Noah as he has always been a leader.

“I’ve always sort of had a leadership role whether it's named or not. I put in on myself to drive standards however I can. If that’s with my voice on or off the field because with a talent league team it's harder to stay connected as a group.”

In terms of getting ready for a game, Noah takes things relatively lightly.

“I try to take my mind off it as much as I can, because I have been a bit of an overthinker in the past. But something that has to happen is wearing two socks, two inner-soles, and a heel raise. To stack up my boots - which helps with my calf issues.”

“And then with my set-shot kicking, trying to keep it consistent with everything leading up to the shot. A certain amount of steps into a kick, and a certain amount of ball flips, it just works for me.”

“I got seven walk-ins, seven jogs and then the last three really focused on the cross on the ball.”

The precise routine obviously works, highlighted by a ten-goal, four-behind campaign so far in 2025, with a similar trend last season.

Noah also dabbles into the NBA and likes to take things easy on his off days, whether that be spending time with his mates and his girlfriend, playing video games, or getting down to the beach.

He was meant to line up for Richmond’s VFL side during the start of August, an experience only a certain number of players get to do - but due to the lengthy concussion protocol of twenty-one days, he unfortunately couldn’t.

“It was flattening at the time but what can you do - just now looking forward to the next game with the Stingrays.”

Fellow Stingrays’ draftee Harvey Langford was one to reach out to him after injury - and is still in contact with him to this day. Noah trained with the Melbourne Demons at Casey Fields during the preseason to get a feel of what it's like at senior level.

Running out on grand final day last year during the u17 futures match was a real highlight for him.

“That was an unreal experience, the ground started to fill up near the end of the game and you could hear the noise which was a surreal feeling.”

“And being able to play with the best players at the time in a big game, I feel like that's where I thrive. Gaining connections with others from all around the country too and hopefully we all go through the draft process together.”

With two games left in Coates league season, he is focused on asserting himself once more, staying consistent, and leading the team again after all the interruptions and setbacks.

“From a team perspective, just try and drive everyone to play out the season well.”

“With our schoolboys back it’s a strong side so I feel like we can really beat anyone.”

Noah turns eighteen in November just before the national draft, where he hopes his name is read out en route to taking the next step in his footballing journey.