The quest to rise up the AFL Victoria Community Championships ladder for the Goulburn Valley League will continue on May 18 and the initial squad for the clash against the Western Region league has been announced.
After defeating Ballarat on the hallowed turf of the MCG last season, the GV has risen to fifth in the interleague rankings, and a win against Western Region at Werribee’s Avalon Oval next month would propel the outfit closer to the pinnacle of the competition.
Along with announcing the 36 players shortlisted to take a place in the contest, coach Brad Campbell has filled out his assistant coaching line-up as well.
Three perennial GV representatives — Kyabram coach Paul Newman, Tatura champion Paul Kirby and former Victoria Country captain Tim Looby — join the assistant coaching panel this year alongside Brendan Vanderdonk and Sam Little.
‘‘It’s also pleasing that at this stage of the selection process, we have all 12 clubs represented in the initial squad, and 15 players who played last year are included,’’ Campbell said.
The squad represents a cross-section of the stars of the competition and will be tough to trim down, but some key areas of the field clearly stand out.
Tatura’s Brandyn Grenfell and Shepparton’s Harry Boyd look likely to provide the ruck stocks for the side, while Rochester’s James Gledhill, Tatura’s Brad Ryan, Shepparton’s Ted Lindon, Echuca’s Cam Valentine, Mooroopna’s Kyle Gray and Kyabram duo Lachie Smith and Tom Holman will battle for the key defensive posts.
Along with Gray the likes of Shepparton United’s Matt Rendina, Shepparton Swan Tom Preece, Benalla’s Will Martiniello, Tatura’s Nick Fothergill and Mansfield’s James Lawton have impressed enough early in their GVL return or debut campaigns to make the squad.
The under-18 squad is yet to be announced.
●Details of the Kyabram District League’s Community Championships battle have also emerged.
The KDL will face Golden Rivers at Shepparton East’s Central Park — making use of a new facility to the league’s ranks this season.
Senior football and open and 17-and-under netball outfits will face Golden Rivers opponents on the day, while an under-18 football intraleague game will be staged alongside similar contests in the 13 and 15-and-under netball grades.
Murchison-Toolamba’s James Milne and Avenel’s Kasey Duncan will co-coach the senior football side, while fellow Grasshoppers Craig Thompson and Peter Miller will take charge of the under-18 footballers.
‘‘The board are thrilled to be hosting a ‘home’ game in our district after three years playing away,’’ KDL president Fraser Kerrins said.
‘‘It will be a terrific opportunity for the league to showcase its local home-grown talent, some wonderful facilities at Central Park Reserve and what will be a strong crowd to cheer on our six grades of football and netball.
‘‘Golden Rivers FNL indicated late last year that they wouldn’t be able to field the under-18 football and 15 and 13-and-under netball, so we as a board made the decision that we will showcase these games as ‘intraleague’ matches, to ensure our young players don’t miss out on such a significant day for the KDL.
‘‘It will be great to see our local community supporting such a wonderful event.’’
Merrigum’s Colline Eggleston and Jen Smith (open netball), Undera’s Sherryn Wall (17-and-under), Tallygaroopna’s Olivia Curtis and Lancaster’s Zoe Backway (15-and-under) and fellow Wombats Sandy Carver and Elly Westerveld (13-and-under) make up the netball coaching panels.
All KDL football and netball squads are yet to be announced.