Murray Bushrangers will have a club record five girls don the Big V at under-19 level in 2022, after Victoria Country announced its 32 players for Sunday’s clash against Victoria Metro earlier in the week.
Flying the flag for the Goulburn Valley are Keeley Skepper (Shepparton United), Cassidy Mailer (Shepparton United), Tayissa Gray (Shepparton Swans) and Madison Gray (Shepparton Swans), who have been rewarded for outstanding NAB League seasons to date.
Murray Bushrangers assistant coach Mario De Santa-Ana said having so many girls selected for state honours was a major coup for the club’s growing program.
“Heading into the announcement of this squad you aren’t really sure who will get the nod, so to see five girls from our team get named we are just over the moon as a club,” De Santa-Ana said.
“I think it is just validation that we are heading in the right direction with our program, we are providing the right resources and the right development plans that the girls need to get to the next level.
“It is the best outcome we have ever had in the Bushrangers’ girls program and we are pretty confident we will also end up with a few more in the under-17 Vic Country squad and four or five in the NSW squad, so that is a real positive for us as a program.”
Skepper and Mailer have been standout performers for the Bushrangers throughout their turbulent NAB League campaign, catching the eye of state recruiters with their game-breaking ability.
Gray sisters Tayissa and Madison (who won’t be playing this weekend due to an ankle injury) have also been fantastic this season, providing run and carry from the wings, while Lavington’s Grace Hay rounds out the Bushies contingent after a solid campaign down back.
De Santa-Ana, who also serves as an assistant for Victoria Country, said he expected the girls to adapt seamlessly to the higher standard that is state football.
“I’ve been involved with Victoria Country for a few years now and it will be hard for the girls to understand the step up until they are actually out on the ground playing, where it just goes to another level,” he said.
“I think our group of girls will adapt pretty well, they have been doing a lot of extras this year in terms of their own development and I am confident they are ready and have the mindset to adjust to that.”
• Victoria Country will face Victoria Metro on Sunday afternoon at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium.