Mooroopna's Ben Hicks will vice-captain the GVL side from the back line.
Photo by
Liam Nash
This Saturday, a cohort of Goulburn Valley League’s best will hope to do the region proud and defend the Ash-Wilson Trophy against Ovens and Murray League.
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We caught up with some who are set to don the purple and gold to gauge their thoughts heading into the clash.
Ben Hicks — Mooroopna
“Last year we beat them over here actually, so we’re going over there to beat them on their home turf and really stamp our authority to say we are the best league around.
“It was great seeing the emotions of obviously finally getting the wood over them after they'd had a couple in a row against us.
“It seems like everyone's really bought into it and there's a really good core group this season.
“Even the first two trainings, everyone was zipping around and the ball didn't really touch the ground, which was nice and everyone's really keen to get out there.
“The amount of talent that's in the team's going to be pretty unreal.
“(I’m looking forward to playing with) Ash Holland — normally I kick it down the line and he intercepts it, so it's nice to kick it down the line and mark it and be on my team.
Shepparton Swans' Nathan Rachele is making his senior interleague debut at the weekend.
Photo by
Liam Nash
Nathan Rachele — Shepparton Swans
“Obviously Ovens and Murray have been pretty good for a long time, so for the boys to win it last year, it must have been a pretty good experience.
“I don't really know too many of them (O&M), so in a way it's good — you just play free, don't really worry about who's on the opposition.
“So far it’s been a great experience and the standards are really good too.
“You're training with the top 25 or whatever it is, so the standard's unreal.
“Archie Watt's impressed me a lot — he's got some good skills and pretty quick, so looking forward to playing with him.”
Shepparton's Bryce Stephenson is back in GVL colours this Saturday.
Photo by
Liam Nash
Bryce Stephenson — Shepparton
“It’s obviously a great opportunity to play against the best in country footy.
“You take your opportunity when you can and hopefully we can get another win over them.
“Everyone seems to gel all right; everyone seems to know everyone to a degree now.
“You get to know people over time; it’s good to play with those guys instead of against them.
“The skill levels are great when you’re facing the best of the best and you’ve got to put your best up against someone else’s.”
Kyabram’s Aidan Robinson is raring to take on the O&M.
Photo by
Liam Nash
Aidan Robinson — Kyabram
“It’s my first senior interleague; I played under-18s interleague and then obviously a few years off through COVID.
“It will just be good to get out there with some good talent obviously in our side.
“They’ll bring a strong side as well, so it will be good to roll out there and see what we’ve got.
“Everyone gets around each other — you sort of put all the egos aside when you get to training.
“Everyone’s just been excited to get into it and play the best standard of footy that we can at the moment.
“(The game) will be quick, we’ll have a quick side and no doubt they will too.”
