THE Central Murray region’s schoolboys’ squad has been finalised ahead of the 2014 V/Line Cup.
The squad features an even mix of Central Murray league and Echuca region players.
Central Murray region manager Jamie Macri said the squad was finalised last week after a trial game against the region’s Bendigo counterparts on March 2.
“We started off with 90 in October and we’re down to our final squad of 24 following the trial game against Bendigo/North Central/Sunraysia,” he said yesterday.
Macri said he was confident the Central Murray side would perform strongly in division two of the competition.
“I think so. We’ve got a very good coach in Wes Lewis and we’ve got a really good team ((of assistant coaches)) with Dean Bennett, Luke O’Toole, Russell Jarrott and David Dickson,” he said.
“It really is an A grade team of coaching staff.”
Keith Blackman and Kevin Evans are the squad’s trainers, while Greg Lake is its runner.
“These boys are really lucky to have that sort of knowledge passed on. You’re not sure how you go until you get there but my gut feeling is we’ve got a good side,” Macri said.
Swan Hill’s Paddy Dow, Nyah Nyah West United’s Brent Daniels and Echuca’s Izacc Johnson are all returning to the squad after making the cut as bottom-age players last year.
While a captain is yet to be announced, the three — Dow especially — offered strong leadership skills, Macri said.
The squad will train on Sundays ahead of the carnival, with game one scheduled at Epsom Oval in Bendigo at 1.20pm on April 6.
The Central Murray will play Bendigo 1, which has been relegated from division one to division two this season.
Central Murray will then play Gippsland 2 at Victoria Park at 12.40pm on April 7, before a bye the following day.
Division two finals will be held at Preston City Oval.
Central Murray league players to make the squad are: Laine Fitzgerald (Balranald); Flynn Appleby (Cohuna Kangas); Jack Thomas and Jacob Barrington (Koondrook Barham); Brady Hogan and Jesse Kiel (Lake Boga); Ben Maher and Brady Fordham (Mallee Eagles); Brent Daniels (Nyah Nyah West United); Paddy Dow and Josh Wooding (Swan Hill); Pat Crowe (Tyntynder); and Jose Miliado and Beven Taylor (Woorinen).
