The wheels are in motion for the upcoming under-16 NAB League Murray Bushrangers season, with a pre-season training squad named last week.
A team stacked with talent has been announced, with Jayden Geisler (Barooga), Sonny Rowe (Barooga), Adam Champagne (Cobram) and Nate Grieves (Tocumwal) all representing clubs in and around Cobram.
Murray Bushrangers under-16 boys assistant coach Simon Grumley said he was excited about what the next two years holds for this crop of footballers.
“We know the importance of supporting talented young footballers at this stage of their development,” Grumley said.
“In two years from now some of these players will be weeks from joining an AFL club via the national draft in November 2024.
“Both Oliver Hollands (Wodonga) and Brayden George (Tatura/Wangaratta Rovers) were in this position at the start of 2020. A combination of hard work and dedication has placed them well for this year’s AFL draft.”
Murray Bushrangers talent lead Mick Wilson said he was pleased local junior talent pathways could resume usual programming this year following a disrupted past two seasons.
“It’s exciting to return to pre-COVID schedules within the AFL talent pathways,” Wilson said.
“Importantly, throughout COVID, local clubs provided outstanding support to players and people within their communities.
“We received more than 180 nominations for the under-16 boys squad which reflects the enthusiasm of coaches and volunteers to support their talented young footballers.”
The squad will begin pre-season training at Wangaratta on Sunday, November 20.
Local clubs represented in Murray Bushrangers’ under-16 boys pre-season squad
Jayden Geisler (Barooga)
Sonny Rowe (Barooga)
Adam Champagne (Cobram)
Nate Grieves (Tocumwal)