A smattering of grassroots football clubs might have one or two players on their list that could be called up to the VFL at a moment’s notice.
But for Echuca, more than a third of its senior squad is playing or listed at a state-level club during the 2023 season.
And while that can make Thursday night selection a headache, it’s a point of pride for the club to see eight of its own leap up to the higher level.
That includes three of Echuca’s 2022 premiership squad who have graduated to VFL duties this season.
Out at Ikon Park, Logan Prout and Aiden Mills are taking their opportunity at Carlton.
Prout, a Leitchville-Gunbower export and 2018 premiership player, crossed to Echuca in 2020, quickly carving out a reputation as one of the best rebound defenders in the Goulburn Valley League.
After lifting the premiership cup with the Murray Bombers, a pre-season with Carlton’s VFL side quickly turned into a contract offer, and Prout explained how his name, as well as teammate Aiden Mills, came across the desk of the Blues’ brains trust.
“Midway through last year, Walks (Echuca co-coach Andrew Walker) put together some film and took it down to show the coaches,” Prout said.
“They were pretty happy with that so we started training with them towards the end of last year and was asked to come back for pre-season.
“It’s good to have Aiden there as well, having two blokes from the same club doesn’t happen too often. It shows a bit about Echuca.
“It’s fairly different, the amount of time you spend not just on the field but in the gym, recovery’s a lot heavier.
“Overall, it’s a great experience. You don’t realise how much work you have to put in until you actually start doing it.”
It’s been a test of patience for Prout, who was offered a contract to play at VFL level in 2019, explaining he wasn’t ready to make the shift at the time.
But he’s making the most of his chance now with his debut coming against Williamstown in round nine, tallying 11 disposals and four tackles in a 20-point defeat.
Both Prout and Mills jumped on to the winners’ list with a comprehensive 52-point victory against Sydney before a thrilling three-point win over Frankston last round, Mills booting two goals in the win to draw the Blues within range of the top eight.
Mills has come up through the ranks of Echuca’s junior program, making his debut in round three against North Melbourne earlier this year.
The 21-year-old has notched 58 games for Echuca since making his senior debut in 2021, and his standing as one of the best key defenders in the league was recognised with a spot on the GVL’s interleague team earlier this year.
“It was probably a bit earlier than what I thought,” Mills said of his VFL debut.
“That was a good experience. I didn’t play as well as I’d hoped, but it was great fun.
“I’m starting to enjoy it more and more every week with a great bunch of guys down there which makes it easier.
“The main thing I picked up was that the skills are a bit better at that level.
“Your work rate has to be pretty top-notch from one end of the ground to the other. That’s the main difference I’ve found between the VFL and GV — the speed of the ball.”
“I’ve put a lot of work in over the last few years.
“To start showing what I can do at GV level over the last year or two, I’m pleased to now have that reward of playing VFL, and playing as high a level as I can.”
To the West of Melbourne, Sam Willoughby is also getting his chance with Footscray, with the GVL grand final best-on-ground making his debut back in March against reigning premier Casey Demons.
A member of the Murray Bombers squad since 2018 after joining from Murray Football League club Deniliquin, Willoughby’s reputation as a contested ball beast launched him into the Bulldogs’ sights, managing two games so far.
He was joined at Whitten Oval by premiership teammate and interleague representative Riley Smith, who also enjoyed a career-best season in 2022.
But even though they are in the burgeoning stages of their careers, the four “new kids” on the block have plenty of experience to draw on.
Midfielder Jack Evans has notched 11 games for Geelong so far in his VFL career, falling under the leadership of Cats’ skipper and Murray Bombers teammate Angus Byrne this season.
Meanwhile, Echuca-listed star Marty Hore, also a Leitchville-Gunbower export, and Darby Henderson, another Echuca junior, have also been making waves for Williamstown.
The talent factory out at Victoria Park has garnered a reputation for churning out homegrown stars, and it doesn’t look like that will change any time soon.