While the Goulburn Murray region’s junior leagues have wrapped up proceedings this year, one more opportunity for the best emerging prospects was offered to those from the Goulburn Murray Juniors, Murray League and Kyabram League.
Shepparton AFL exports Matt and Jack Whitlock spoke about their own pathway journey before the region’s elite 15 and under prospects, vying for an opportunity in the Murray Bushrangers system, were handed their playing kits for the V/Line Cup Carnival.
The two boys squads and girls side were then announced for the two-day round-robin in Ballarat.
Shepparton United coach Trent Freer headlined the division two team at the helm, which featured Goulburn Murray junior league under-14s best-and-fairest winners Kobe Freer of Mooroopna and Seymour’s Levi Brown.
Five Shepparton Swans were included in the side too, while Kaiden McGee was the sole Shepparton United talent in the team.
Five Shepp Notre players were in the division one boys line-up, while three Swans also made an entrance to the roster.
Nate Warrin was the standalone Shepparton United player to feature.
Four Shepp Swans and United players made the girls squad from each club respectively.
Each side played two games in the carnival against the Bendigo Pioneers and North East Bushrangers, however, no side claimed victory across the two days.
Nevertheless, it provided an opportunity for individuals to showcase their talents against country football’s top junior footballers and in front of talent pathway scouts.
“It is great to see all affiliated leagues represented from across the region,” AFL Goulburn Murray regional manager Shaun Connell said.
“The support from the Goulburn Murray Juniors, Murray League and Kyabram League has been terrific and highlights the strength of our regional pathway.”
Goulburn Murray Bushrangers squads
Boys Division One:
Andre Corso (Cobram)
Axel Saunders (Mulwala)
Cameron Liddell (Nathalia)
Clancy Keenan (Shepp Notre)
Cody Costello (Shepp Notre)
Dayne Wilson (Shepp Notre)
Eamon Hyde (Cobram)
George Nicholson (Mooroopna)
Hamish Whyte (Nathalia)
Henry Donovan (Mulwala)
Jack Hudson (Shepp Swans)
Jayd Bennett (Alexandra)
Koby Ross (Violet Town)
Levi Reddrop-Miller (Congupna)
Levi Duffy (Shepp Swans)
Nate Warrin (Shepp United)
Noah Wells (Shepp Notre)
Oliver Wilson (Euroa)
Riley Thompson (Cobram)
Ryder Dudgeon (Shepp Notre)
Sidney Nihil (Tatura)
Sol Zak (Shepp Swans)
Boys Division Two:
Archer Kirchen (Mulwala)
Aston Bruton (Shepp Swans)
Caleb Russell (Nathalia)
Charlie Pekin (Kyabram)
Darby Hoare (Euroa)
Evan Keir (Congupna)
Jaidyn Dimech (Alexandra)
Jett Smith (Mooroopna)
Jordy O’Connell (Seymour)
Kaiden McGee (Shepp United)
Kobe Freer (Mooroopna)
Lennix Mellington (Shepp Swans)
Levi Purtle (Mulwala)
Levi Brown (Seymour)
Liam Moreno (Mooroopna)
Lloyd Akers (Shepp Swans)
Max Ewart (Tatura)
Naite Mellington (Tatura)
Sol Frost (Numurkah)
Toby Keady (Shepp Swans)
Tyson Muskee (Shepp Swans)
Zayd Gibson (Shepp Swans)
Girls squad:
Addison Stokes (Seymour)
Amelia Hauser (Seymour)
Breanna Lane (Seymour)
Charlie Martin (Moama)
Chloe Ryan (AFL GM)
Ella Davis (Shepp Swans)
Erin Calleja (Shepp Swans)
Evie Fennell (Shepp United)
Grace Leslie (Nathalia)
Jammisyn Lavis (Shepp United)
Lacey Wellington (Shepp United)
Lilly Heggart (Shepp United)
Macey Boyd (Moama)
Madelynn Price (Barooga)
Mia Heard (Alexandra)
Nyla Anderson (Shepp Swans)
Phoebe Guppy (Mansfield)
Phoebe Hawker (Shepp Swans)
Ruby McLeod (Moama)
Sienna Heard (Alexandra)
Sienna Jorgenson (Nathalia)
Sophie Millar (AFL GM)