The Goulburn Valley League has announced its senior and under-18 football and open netball representative squads for 2023, with a host of local stars selected to play in the upcoming Interleague matches against the Ovens and Murray League.
GVL board chair Jacqui Hudgson thanked coaches who have been working tirelessly to review players and select their squads.
“It’s great to see some players who were in our open squad last year return to represent the GVL, as well as new players,” she said.
“Our football coaching panels have also selected from the ample talent available across the GVL and it’s fantastic to see the league’s last two Morrison Medallists in Seymour’s Jack O’Sullivan (2021) and Ben Rigoni (2022) in the squad.
“(Last year’s) runner-up Kaine Herbert (Kyabram) and fifth place-getters Zac Banch (Shepparton Swans) and Sam Willoughby (Echuca) have also been selected.”
Reigning GVL premier Echuca has the most representatives selected in the senior football side with seven, as A.J. Mills, Riley Smith, Jack Evans, Will Monahan, Sam Reid and Jack McHale, as well as Willoughby, have all earned selection. Simon Eishold has been named as an assistant coach.
Mirroring the seniors, the under-18 football squad will feature seven Echuca players, with Cody Mann, Hugh Byrne, Makai Cronin, Sam Edgar, Solomon Fleming, Tom Evans and Will Rohde all selected for representative honours.
Rochester’s Charlie Palmer and Reed Hocking have also been included in the under-18 squad.
Three Echuca players will take to the court as part of the open netball squad, with Belinda Lees, Sheridan Townrow and Stephanie Vick all included in the side, while Rochester’s Teal Hocking will feature fresh from her stint with the Victorian representative team.
All three sides will be among the Interleague action against the Ovens and Murray League in Albury on Saturday, May 20.
The open netball side will also defend its Association Championship title on Sunday, June 18, having won in 2019 and 2022.
Hudgson encouraged GVL supporters to make the trip to Albury to cheer on the representative sides.
“We are looking forward to the opportunity to renew the rivalry with the Ovens and Murray League, both in netball and football,” she said.
“We encourage GVL supporters to head to Albury on May 20 to show their support.”