THE beginning of the Young AFL Talented Pathway Program has commenced for 26 young Wimmera footballers that have dreams on playing on the big stage.
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The under-15 school boys will be played out at Willaura Recreation Reserve on Wednesday, June 29 and Wednesday, July 6.
Wimmera co-coach and Wimmera Football development manager Jason Muldoon said the carnival has been moved due to poor conditions.
“It’s a pity we cannot have it at Alexandra Oval but Willaura is only 30 kilometers away so it isn’t to bad,” he said.
“With the rain and the amount of footy that ground has had it wouldn’t be ideal that the boys play on it, instead we opted to play on an oval that hasn’t been played on for several weeks.”
Four regional teams will be taking part in the two-day carnival, including Wimmera, Ballarat, Hampden and South West.
Wimmera will play Hampden at 1pm on June 29 and will play South West at 1pm on July 6.
Muldoon said the squad has prepared well coming into the carnival.
“We had a practice match against Horsham Saints under-17 side and it was good to get the whole group together and play a game,” he said.
“It was good to get them up against big bodies and great opposition.
“We had the chance to mix and match.”
This will be the first stepping stone for the young athletes to showcase their skills on the biggest stage for their age.
Muldoon said they created a six-week training program to get them nice and close to each other.
“We started with 55 players and after three weeks we reduced it to 26,” he said.
“We had the chance to train with the definite squad for three weeks which has really benefited the squad.”
There will be two unavailable players who have other commitments but are part of the development program in Cori Corrigan and Mitch Martin.
The Wimmera squad this year has a mixture of talls and mediums playing in the side with more key position players than previous years.
Muldoon said he is happy with the squad.
“There are a couple boys that can take a great overhead mark which could cause trouble in the forward line,” he said.
“Of course, there is a fair bit of development to be had with the young squad but that is the point of this program.
“I expect a couple of the boys to grow into their bodies in years to come as they have four years ahead of them,”
The squad has variety this year and has more height than the 2015 squad.
“Last year’s top end was great with Tommy Berry leading the line,” Muldoon said.
“We have a lot more key players this year.”
Jae McGrath of Minyip-Murtoa Burras is co-coach and Matty Lloyd is being taught the ropes.
“Our focus is attacking football this year with quick ball movement up the field,” Muldoon said.
“I have expressed to the boys that they do not have to worry about the scoreboard and encourage them to take the game on.
“I’m very excited about the team and what is coming through the regional football. It is really a credit to the coaches in our region for developing these players in the best possible way and giving them sound basic skills,”
The squad is as follows:
Horsham Demons; Matty Wynne, Bailey Nelson, Brayden Gebert, Jacob Glare, Jayden Scott, Benson Miller and Mitch Spasic.
Ararat Rats; Cooper Heard, Baydn Cosgriff, Rhiley McKinnes, Cori Corrigan, Cody Lindsay and Jayden Wright.
Horsham Saints; Nicholas Caris and Riley Bryan. Warrack Eagles; Patrick Lindsay and Joshua Bibby. Stawell Warriors; Aiden Graveson and Cooper Reading.
Kalkee; Harvey Gunn. Harrow-Balmoral; Matthew Jones. Natimuk United; Kyah Wilkinson. Swifts; Joshua Reid. Noradjuha-Quantong; Darcy Hogan. Edenhope-Apsley; Jesse Iese. Jeparit-Rainbow; Jakob Cocks.