Saturday’s under-18 interleague clash between Goulburn Valley League and Ovens and Murray League helped showcase the region’s abundance of football talent.
O&M may have won on the day, but there were definite signs of green shoots among the GVL under-18 team.
Defender Mac Calleja was a pillar in GVL’s defence, Will Creevey showed potential as a zippy midfielder and Xavier Chandler was brave in the contest in his role as captain.
However, there is one young gun that fits the mould of the modern-day big-bodied midfielder who can float forward and impact the scoreboard.
In the AFL, this type of player is highly sought-after by fans, pundits and coaches alike as they see the influence a big-bodied, goal-scoring midfielder can have through the performances of stars such as Western Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli, GWS’ Tom Green or even projected number-one draft pick Josh Smillie.
In Saturday’s match, it was Kyabram young gun Nic Jephson who starred for GVL as a big-bodied, bustling midfielder who helped create drive out of the centre for his side.
Jephson was one of the main reasons for GVL winning the total clearances (32-21), with the young Bomber collecting a game-high nine clearances (five more than the next best).
The big-bodied midfielder was a contested beast for GVL, with 13 of his 18 possessions being contested, while 16 of his disposals were kicks off his booming left peg.
Jephson impacted the scoreboard for GVL by kicking a goal in the second term while also contributing six inside 50s in an impressive interleague display.
Nic Jephson’s under-18 interleague stats
Disposals: 18
Kicks: 16
Contested possessions: 13
Clearances: 9
Tackles: 3
Goals: 1
Inside 50s: 6
Despite being an underage footballer, Jephson has played all his matches this season in the senior Goulburn Valley League grade, kicking eight goals from seven games and twice featuring in the best for the Bombers.
The young bull arguably had his breakout senior football performance during Kyabram’s round seven victory over Tatura.
Jephson’s influence on the match was undeniable as the young gun racked up 25 touches (at 80 per cent efficiency), 22 kicks, 12 marks, seven-goal involvements and two goals.
The performance was an imposing display that indicates Kyabram has found a genuine star of the future who, unfortunately for Bombers fans, seems destined for higher honours at some point in the future.
Kyabram’s Jephson is averaging 17.7 disposals, eight marks, 1.1 goals, 6.7 score involvements and 1.4 contested marks a game in the Goulburn Valley League this season.