Across the McPherson Media Group footprint, a handful of regional footballing talents are a better-than-good chance of being selected in this year’s AFL Draft, which begins tonight.
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Click through the links below to hear from some of them - as well as see who else has nominated.
Shepparton’s Jack is a Whit-e hot-lock ahead of Wednesday night’s AFL National Draft
A towering Tiger, a soaring Swan or perhaps a galloping Giant?
Shepparton’s Jack Whitlock doesn’t know for certain at what point his name will be called out during draft night or, in fact, which state he will call home in 2025.
While that feeling of the unknown could weigh heavy on a young mind, the 18-year-old is just grateful that his lifelong dream is set to be realised at the AFL National Draft on either Wednesday (first round of the draft) or Thursday night (rest of the rounds).
‘Always a pretty sporty kid’: Shepparton’s Matt Whitlock to seize his pro chance with both hands
“Footy was just something I did for fun.”
Like any number of youths growing up across the country, Shepparton junior and Murray Bushranger Matt Whitlock maintained a voracious sporting diet as a kid.
It’s hard to believe, given his development heading into a draft-age year, that Australian rules hardly rated a mention at one point.
Now on the precipice of achieving a dream that countless young boys and girls have aspired to nationwide, hearing your name called out by an AFL club at the national draft, the future seems far more predictable than the past.
Shepparton Swans product Oliver Warburton details his journey from Princess Park to the precipice of the promised land
Sometimes the brightest flames burn without a sound.
And in the world of Oliver Warburton, his story is less about a meteoric rise and more about a steady burn.
The Shepparton Swans product’s early years were spent at Princess Park, where his game was built in a grassroots grounding, each kick and tackle a verse in his evolving narrative.
Life at Murray Bushrangers, the regional talent factory that has turned northern Victorian paddocks into breeding grounds for AFL stars, followed.
By the time he debuted for Vic Country, his play was unmistakably Warburton: a mix of quiet aggression and poetic precision.
He’s the kind of player who needs not to shout for attention. His game does all the talking.
And as the AFL Draft looms, Warburton remains the reluctant star of his own narrative.
Benalla product and Murray Bushranger Joe Berry is on the cusp of AFL dream
On Wednesday night Benalla’s Joe Berry will likely live out his childhood dream of becoming an AFL player.
The young gun has put together a remarkable 2024 campaign, which has him touted among the top prospects entering the AFL Draft and, if all goes to plan, he will hear his name called out inside the first round at Marvel Stadium.
Having only played a handful of games for the Murray Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League during his bottom-age season last year and finding himself on the fringes of the Victoria Country squad during summer, the small forward exploded on to the scene this year and put forward an irresistible case to recruiters.
Bushrangers coach Mark Brown, who was also assistant coach for the Vic Country side this year throughout the national championships, said Berry had always had the AFL attributes, but it was his attitude towards training this year that had seen him reap the rewards.
Draft day: Shanahan looks ahead to career-defining night
It’s one of the biggest days of a young footballer’s career.
The AFL Draft is tonight and Moama’s Jobe Shanahan is set to find out his destiny as the 18 AFL franchises weigh up their future direction.
“I'm starting to get a bit nervous, obviously I'm always thinking about it,” said Shanahan.
“It's hard to keep my mind off it, but obviously, it doesn't matter where I go, it's just about the opportunity I get really.”
More: https://www.sheppnews.com.au/sport/draft-day-shanahan-looks-ahead-to-career-defining-night-2/
List of 2024 AFL Draft nominees revealed, featuring a stack of Goulburn Valley talents
From surefires to smokies, the final list of nominees for this week’s AFL Draft is out.
Several Goulburn Valley talents have bought a ticket to the lottery, hoping to realise their dream and have their name read out by one of the 18 AFL clubs over three days of footy furore.
The AFL Draft will be held over November 20-21, while the rookie and pre-season drafts will take place on Friday.
Of the 1044 players who put their names forward for the 2024 AFL Draft, 30 hailed from the Goulburn Valley region.
Shepparton News editor