From the Shepp News|
Fourteen players who competed outside the Goulburn Valley Football League last year are in contention to help maintain its No. 1 ranking in Victorian country football.
Goulburn Valley interleague coach Travis Ryan unveiled a 40-man squad yesterday ahead of the May 25 clash with second-ranked Geelong at Kardinia Park.
‘‘We were still in a reasonable position last year, but there’s probably a little more depth (this season),’’ Ryan said.
‘‘We have had some very good players come into the competition and we still have the kids from last year playing well, so there is just a little more depth.
‘‘Geelong will have a pretty handy side. It will depend how many VFL blokes play, but it’s pretty strong footy down there, so it’s going to be a tough game going down there to play on their home track.’’
Goulburn Valley has won the past three Country Championships titles — one short of arch-rival Ovens and Murray’s record of four consecutive crowns between 1996 and 1999.
Three of Goulburn Valley’s newcomers — Mooroopna’s Daniel Lewis (Queensland) and Rochester’s Grant Weeks and Shepparton Swan Dan Lovick (both Victoria) — played in last year’s Australian Country Football Carnival.
The others are Benalla playing coach Luke Morgan, Echuca’s Jordan Williams, Euroa’s Matt Quinton, Kyabram’s Simon Seddon, Mansfield’s Josh Fraser, Cat Mitch Keddell, Rochester’s Brady Green, Swans’ Andrew Riordan, Shepparton United’s Jason Eagle and Tatura’s James Wall and Brendon Hollow.
Seddon, Green and Eagle have previously represented Goulburn Valley.
Lovick and Riordan played for Geelong Football League teams St Joseph’s and Grovedale, respectively, last year, while Morgan, Williams, Keddell and Wall played at state-league level and Fraser in the AFL.
Fraser, Williams, Wall, Kyabram’s Paul Newman, Mooroopna’s Mark Blake — last year’s Morrison medallist — Seymour’s Brent Colbert and United’s Tim Looby have all previously been on an AFL list.
Ex-AFL pair Ash Watson (hamstring), of Rochester, and Rhys Archard (hamstring/unavailable), of Echuca, have ruled themselves out.
Other big names not in the squad, but still in contention, are Echuca’s Simon Buckley, Tatura’s Ben Waite and Swans Tyson Sidebottom and Chris Egan.
Buckley and Egan played at AFL level.
‘‘We could lose 10 blokes in a week. We have put the squad together and we’ll talk to everyone and see what we’ve got in three or four weeks’ time,’’ Ryan said.
‘‘We should put a pretty good side on the track.
‘‘There’s still a month to go before we get there and luck with injury and that sort of stuff will play a part, but everyone we’ve spoken to so far has been supportive and keen to play.’’
Ryan said the squad would train twice, at Seymour’s Kings Park on Wednesday, May 15 and Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve on Wednesday, May 22.
GVFL INTERLEAGUE SQUAD
Benalla: Luke Morgan, Al Jacka, Nick Warnock. Echuca: Matt Pollock, Jordan Williams. Euroa: Matt Quinton. Kyabram: Paul Newman, Simon Seddon, Jason Morgan, Liam Ogden. Mansfield: Adam Boshevski, Josh Fraser. Mooroopna: Daniel Lewis, Mark Blake, Mitch Keddell. Rochester: Grant Weeks, Sam Vale, Brady Green, James Brain. Seymour: Paul Colbert, Brent Colbert, Matt O’Keefe, Saad Saad. Shepparton: Rhys O’Sullivan. Shepparton Swans: Dan Lovick, Andrew Riordan, Jessie Finnen. Shepparton United: Jason Eagle, Shaun Huy, Matt Rendina, Ryan Butler, Tim Looby. Tatura: Paul Kirby, Linc Wellington, James Wall, Brendon Hollow, Tom Sullivan, Tom Miller, Leigh Owen, Tom Durward.
