The 95-strong squad features players from clubs across the North-East Border, Goulburn Murray and Southern NSW regions and was selected based on trials held in Shepparton last month.
The Goulburn Valley region has a very distinct presence through the squad, with 24 players coming out of the GVL, five from the Murray League and two from the Picola and District League. The region makes up more than a third of the selected players.
In terms of GVL clubs, Shepparton United leads the way with five representatives, closely followed by rivals Shepparton and Shepparton Swans with four apiece, while Mooroopna, Mansfield and Seymour all have three players featured.
Murray Bushrangers coach Mark Brown explained how they went about the selection process.
“The pandemic once again brought a premature end to this year’s football season and with it the opportunity for young players to impress,” he said.
“The testing and trial days allowed the chance for players to demonstrate their skill-set and press their claim to make the 2022 pre-season squad.
“A number of players who haven’t been involved in our programs relished the opportunity and have been selected.”
Having to go through and identify talent from an incredibly large group of prospects, Brown took the chance to thank clubs across all three regions for putting up a strong selection of players.
“Clubs were fantastic in nominating their talented players and some very good players have unfortunately missed selection,” he said.
“The process is very subjective, so there’s always an opportunity for players who miss selection to come back into our program if they play outstanding local footy.”
This was the case for three of the players included in this year’s squad, with Shepparton Swans product James Auld one prospect Brown made sure to mention after he battled his way into the program after missing out last year.
“We’re extremely pleased to bring new players into our programs and there were a number of players who have worked extremely hard since last season and deserve reward for effort,” he said.
After an underwhelming 2021 campaign, which only yielded three wins and a 13th placed finish, the brains trust at the Murray Bushrangers will be hoping to turn things around with a solid pre-season program.
The squad will complete an intense five-week block of training from November 21 until Christmas, before returning in January to gear up for the season to start on the first weekend of April.
Murray Bushrangers under-19 boys pre-season squad
Achoung Agog (Shepparton), Matteo Allen (Cobram), Kydan Atkinson (Mooroopna), Ashtyn Atkinson (Rumbalara), James Auld (Shepparton Swans), Isaac Barry (Shepparton United), Benjamin Bath (Euroa), Nathan Buchanan (Mansfield), Ryan Calogero (Shepparton United), Rhys Cason (Numurkah), Max Clohesy (Shepparton Swans), Joeve Cooper (Mooroopna), Charlie Di Stefano (Shepparton United), Boston Dowling (Shepparton), Coby James (Mooroopna), Manny Laulu (Shepparton Swans), Ben Les (Mansfield), Tanner Madigan (Shepparton), Angus Murray (Seymour), Kaedyn Napier (Shepparton United), Zander Nash (Jerilderie), Fletcher Paul (Euroa), Joshua Payne (Strathmerton), Nicholas Quigg (Seymour), Lucas Rachele (Shepparton Swans), Oscar Ryan (Shepparton United), Levy Tejones (Cobram), Sam Thomson (Seymour), Brayden Van Winden (Mansfield), Hunter Verhoeven (Numurkah), Jacob Watts (Shepparton).
