JUNIOR interleague football is back for another year, with two sides representing the combined might of Central Murray and Golden Rivers football leagues across the the King’s Birthday weekend.
The under-16 Central Rivers team will kick off the action with a match against Sunraysia on the night of Friday, June 7, starting from 6.30pm at Robinvale’s John James Oval.
The football feast will continue on Sunday morning, as the under-18 representative team take on Heathcote District from 10.45am at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve.
Under-18 team head coach Scott Wishart said he was looking forward to the “great opportunity to work with these young guys”.
“It’s a real honour and a privilege to be coaching a group that has a bunch of super talented young footballers coming through,” he said.
“I’ve coached at the Academy level for quite a few years, and this group of Under 18s players were actually the first group as under 13s.
“When I saw that this was the crew that were coming up to the under 18s, I was really happy to put my hand up and work with them once again.
“It’s not only good for their footy, but it’s just as good for these guys to have a chance to play with some of the guys they play against each week.
“When I was young, I had the opportunity to play some interleague football and I’m still mates with some of the guys I played with back then.”
Wishart said the strength of the region’s junior footballers would be on full display in the two matches.
“The game will be quick it’ll give these boys the chance to see where they stack up against the guys from around the area at their same age,” he said.
“All of those selected in the under 18 squad have played senior football this year at their club level.
“A fair few of them are playing in the seniors each week and being named in their club’s best players on a regular basis and kicking goals.
“It’s going to be a very strong team, we may be a little lacking in a bit of height but that’s something we can work through.
“We’ve got some good runners in the team, and really good ball users so I think that’s the way we’ll be playing the game.”
CENTRAL RIVERS INTERLEAGUE TEAMS
Under 16
Head coach: Jason Murphy
Bob Helgeland – Balranald
Hugh Bremner – Kerang
Seth Hall – Kerang
Flynn McKnight – Kerang
Bryce Anderson – Lake Boga
Willem Holmes – Lake Boga
Lachie Bull – Lake Boga
Max Caruso – Lake Boga
Cooper Carmichael – NNW United
Max Thompson – NNW United
Lane Cardenas – Swan Hill
Paddy Hufer – Swan Hill
Sam Scott – Swan Hill
Darcy Uebergang – Swan Hill
Connor Hazlett – Tooleybuc-Manangatang
Rydar Morris – Tooleybuc-Manangatang
Julian Muir – Tooleybuc-Manangatang
Rory Bell – Ultima
Olly Alderuccio – Ultima
Archie O’Toole – Ultima
Jaspa Chamberlain – Wandella
Archer Lancaster – Wandella
Blake Mazzarella – Woorinen
Under 18
Head Coach: Scott Wishart
Sebastian Papa – Balranald
Cruz Jolliffe – Balranald
Jack Helgeland – Balranald
Travis Ford – Cohuna Kangas
Lachlan English – Cohuna Kangas
Harry Bremner – Kerang
Nick Frankling – Koondrook-Barham
Koben Ryan – Lake Boga
Xavier Sherlock – Lake Boga
Kai Everitt – Lake Boga
Xavier Wishart – Macorna
Sam Whinfield – Macorna
Charlie Kingwill – Mallee Eagles
Ethan Curran – NNW United
Darcy Butler – NNW United
Oscar Hickox – NNW United
Koby McMillan – Swan Hill
Ashby Rogers – Tooleybuc-Manangatang
Kallum Hazlett – Tooleybuc-Manangatang
Parker Condely – Ultima
Edward Kuchel – Ultima
Laing Waddingham – Wandella
Otto Conlan – Woorinen
Tahj Bolton – Woorinen
Hugh Thompson – Woorinen
