Another handful of Goulburn Valley footballers will fulfil their AFL dreams next season after being selected in the national draft.
On Tuesday, Girgarre’s Brayden George headlined the evening for the GV after he was taken with pick 26 by North Melbourne.
The 18-year-old made his mark for the Murray Bushrangers at NAB League level in 2022 and kicked 19 goals from eight matches.
However, it’s unlikely George will take to the field in 2023 as he recovers from a knee reconstruction after he ruptured his ACL this year.
During his junior career George played for Stanhope Girgarre Rushworth Giants, Tatura and Girgarre before moving to Wangaratta to complete his schooling.
George becomes the first player from Girgarre to be drafted to an AFL list and the fourth from Tatura, following in the footsteps of Alistair Burke, Gary Merritt and Adrian Battiston.
Echuca’s Noah Long became the latest footballer out of the Murray Bombers to make the elite level and the first to be drafted since Brodie Kemp in 2019.
Long was selected in the fourth round by West Coast Eagles, taken at pick 58.
The small, mercurial forward began his career at the Bottle Greens, starting in Auskick before playing in a premiership in the under-14s.
Long has spent the past two years with Bendigo Pioneers in the NAB League and played school footy at Geelong Grammar.
Long also boasts a wealth of experience in the Big V, having represented Vic Country at under-16, 17 and 18 level.
He played four games for Country at this year’s NAB AFL National Championships, booting three goals in its win over Western Australia.
Mulwala product and Yarrawonga young gun Caleb Mitchell will also make the move interstate after he was selected with pick 40 by Sydney Swans.
The two-way wingman enjoyed a stellar season for Murray Bushrangers at NAB League level this year, averaging 19 disposals, five marks, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s in his 10 games.
A 31-disposal, two-goal game against Gippsland Power was a particular standout in Mitchell’s NAB League campaign.
Meanwhile, a familiar surname to Goulburn Valley football supporters landed at Collingwood early on Tuesday night.
Jakob Ryan, the son of Tatura champion forward Steve, was selected with pick 28.
A dashing half-back, with a flowing blond mullet, caught the eye of recruiters in his appearances for Glenelg and South Australia this year.
Lastly, Rennie product and former Hawthorn defender Daniel Howe was picked up by North Melbourne with pick 33 in the AFL’s rookie draft on Wednesday afternoon.