Murray Bushrangers confirm under-18s boys pre-season squad filled with local talent

Undertaking a slightly different selection process for the 2023 season, Murray Bushrangers regional talent lead Mick Wilson explained why such a large squad was chosen.

“It is a big group, but that is relevant to the fact the past couple of years have been interrupted due to COVID-19 and we haven’t been able to do as much scouting on this group,” Wilson said.

“All of the players that were nominated this year were invited to do a test and trial day, normally we’d be very selective about that, but due to those interrupted COVID seasons we just invited all of them.

“We were very cautious of not missing any kids, so that’s why it’s such a large group.”

In terms of district clubs Shepparton Swans is the most prominent, with eight players from Princess Park featured.

While Shepparton (seven), Euroa (five), Shepparton United (four), Seymour (four), Mansfield (four), Mooroopna (three) and Benalla (one) round out the Goulburn Valley League representation.

Finley (three), Nathalia (three) and Cobram (one) make up the Murray Football League cohort.

Picola District Football League also has three clubs featured, with Tungamah, Rennie and Katamatite each sending one player.

With so much talent coming out of the Goulburn Murray region, Wilson nominated a few names fans should keep an eye out for.

“There are a couple of boys who will be in line for Victoria Country selection throughout the year, being Coby James and Joeve Cooper,” he said.

“Oscar Ryan from Shepparton United is another one we are really excited about and Boston Dowling from Shepparton Bears as well.

“Those four boys are right up there in terms of potential draftees and will be on the radar to be picked up if they have good seasons.”

The 2022 campaign was relatively successful for the Bushies, finishing ninth on the ladder before falling to eventual NAB League champions Sandringham Dragons in an elimination final.

Wilson said he was confident that with the talent identified in this pre-season squad there would be a scope for improvement.

“At this stage it is probably looking a little bit stronger (than last year), but things can change very quickly,” he said.

“We actually weren’t very far away from winning it last season, Sandringham just beat us and nobody got close to them after that.

“All last season we didn’t get the chance to put our full-strength side on the park until that last game, so hopefully with a bit more luck this group can have a successful year in 2023.”

Pre-season for the Murray Bushrangers under-18 boys will commence this Sunday, November 20, with the final squad to be selected in early February.