XAVIER Moloney has been named deputy vice-captain of the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country Vic 1 team.
Finalised on Monday, Moloney is the only player from the Swan Hill region to be selected in either the Vic 1 or Vic 2 sides.
Woomelang Lascelles’ Trent Donnan and Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers’ Dan McEwan will represent the Mallee Football League in Victoria Country’s under 19s side.
All three teams will take on Victorian Amateur Football Association sides in Melbourne on Sunday.
After being selected from a larger squad of 33 players, Moloney said representing Vic Country was an honour that had potential benefits for his role as coach of Swan Hill Football Club.
“I’ve maintained close contact with a few that I’ve played with previously. It’s a good way of networking and obviously as a coach it would be a good way to scout out potential recruits,” he said.
“The best thing about it is the friends and contacts you make.”
Moloney said the role involved being among the more experienced Vic Country players.
“You know there’s that expectation that being an experienced player you will show on-field leadership through your performance,” he said.
Moloney said the training standards and the competitiveness for spots in the team brought out the best of those involved in Vic Country.
“You’re really fighting for a spot in the team every time you go out there,” he said.
“Through [ex-V/AFL star player and coach] Peter Knights and other senior assistants you learn a lot from them, and you can take that back to a club role.”
Hugh Foott and Callan Beasy will fill in for Moloney when the Swans play in Lalbert on Saturday.
