After an impressive start to his Goulburn Valley League campaign, it is no surprise Collingwood’s VFL side was eager to promote Ned Byrne.
The 19-year-old has been a symbol of class, physicality and professionalism this season for Shepparton.
While not his first game at VFL level, given he debuted for GWS late last year, it was Byrne’s first match for Collingwood’s reserves after signing over the summer.
Lining up as a forward against ladder leader Box Hill, Byrne booted his first goal for the Magpies halfway through the second term.
After the ball was kicked inside 50, Magpie Josh Bennetts collected the footy in traffic and palmed it off to Byrne who received, turned and snapped from 35m out directly in front to help his team close the margin to eight points.
By the final siren, Byrne had eight possessions, one goal and four tackles in a positive opening VFL match for 2025.
Fellow GVL-linked Magpies Riley Mason (Seymour), 10 disposals, and Max Mahoney (Mansfield), 16 touches, also contributed to the 17-point Collingwood win.
Shepparton 2018 premiership player and St Kilda supplementary signing period selection Harry Boyd impressed for the Saints' VFL-aligned club Sandringham.
The 198cm ruck — who made his AFL debut in round one — was a force to be reckoned with on Saturday finishing with 18 disposals, a goal and a whopping 69 hit-outs.
Despite Sandringham falling to rival Frankston in the Battle of the Bay contest, Boyd is certainly pushing his name forward for a recall to St Kilda’s senior side.
Former Mooroopna winger Angus Hanrahan is continuing his fine year in Sydney’s VFL team, collecting 21 disposals and eight marks in a 94-point loss to Casey.
Goulburn Valley exports Louis Pinnuck (29 disposals, 28 kicks and seven marks), Angus Hicks (13 disposals and six tackles) and Anthony Depasquale (10 disposals and one behind) were part of reigning premier Werribee’s win over Port Melbourne.
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