Herald Sun |
IF good players step up to the next level and shine, then Jarrod Bayliss is a certified star.
The Wandin coach is in a 33-man AFL Victoria Country squad that will do battle with a VAFA representative team at the Junction Oval on July 7.
If he makes the final 22, it will be the third straight year the 24-year-old has represented his state but the first time at the elite tier.
Bayliss has constantly made himself available to represent the YVMDFL in recent years and his performances have netted him higher honours, including All-Australian selection.
He said he thrived on the challenge.
"I guess I do it because it is a challenge and it gives me a chance to clear my head and try something different,'' he said.
"It can be overwhelming playing and coaching but I've found representative footy freshens me up and I go back to Wandin and really enjoy my footy.
"It's another challenge to rise up to and I'm always up for a challenge.''
Bayliss said coach Peter Knights would pick a flexible team of committed players.
"The big thing Peter talks about is playing at the highest level you can and being committed right from the first training session, every training session,'' he said.
"It will be a very versatile team, so you've got to be able to play a variety of roles. In these games, because it's a one-off, the coach needs to be able to make moves at any moment if something's not working.
"For me, in this footy I play more of an outside role and can play forward, through the midfield or on a wing and if I need to play down back I can.''
The interleague experience is something Bayliss hopes will inspire his Yarra Valley peers to make themselves available for representative duties next year.
"For people who haven't experienced it, I'd say 100 per cent if you get the opportunity have a crack,'' Bayliss said.
"You make some friendships you won't forget, meet a whole heap of new blokes and get to test yourself outside your comfort zone.''
MEANWHILE, Olinda Ferny Creek's Lachlan Meadows, Jack Nugent from Healesville and Warburton Millgrove's Jason Coghlan have been selected in the under-19 team. The under-19s will face the VAFA in a curtain raiser to the seniors.
