Sport
Shannon named co-captain of Carlton's VFL outfit, full 2021 squads revealed
With the VFL season fast approaching, the full team squads and leadership positions have been revealed and there is a plethora of the region's talents putting their hand up to play.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The revamped competition, which will include clubs from Queensland and NSW, begins this weekend with two games on Friday.
More than 25 district footballers have landed at 13 of the 22 teams in a sign of the rich talent from the Goulburn and Murray Valley regions.
And plenty are knocking on the door at their respective VFL clubs.
Former Tatura and current Shepparton midfielder Matt Shannon is one of them.
Shannon was announced as co-captain of Carlton's standalone reserves outfit on Monday.
The gun on-baller, along with Ryley Stoddart, was voted by his teammates to skipper the side, based on the ability to drive the key trademarks of the playing group throughout the pre-season.
Both captains will be the first to lead Carlton's reserves onto the field since 2002, the last time the Blues had their own standalone team in the state league.
Shannon has impressed at the Blues since arriving from fellow VFL outfit Box Hill Hawks in the off-season.
“Ryley and Matt are both natural leaders and have stood out so far in our program by bringing their own unique strengths in helping to drive the standards we are creating,” Carlton reserves coach Daniel O’Keefe said.
“Ryley leads by demonstrating exceptional knowledge of the game and is great at educating and directing players on the field.
“Matt leads by example and is an excellent professional, he also shows great voice in helping his teammates to get the very best out of themselves.
“This Saturday cannot come quick enough for us, it will be a great moment when we run out as a Carlton reserves side for the first time in 19 years and hopefully our members and supporters will enjoy being part of the season with us.”
Cohuna product Flynn Appleby has been named captain of North Melbourne's VFL outfit.
Appleby joined the Kangaroos over summer as he looks to continue his AFL career after being delisted by Collingwood last year.
The 22-year-old played 11 games for the Pies in two years.
Rochester's Joe Atley rounds out the region's talents who will lead their respective VFL sides out this weekend.
Atley was named co-captain of Essendon on Monday night, in what will be the former Port Adelaide player's first season with the Bombers.
Exports on VFL lists
Box Hill Hawks
Jesse Cuccinotta (Shepparton United)
Carlton
Matt Shannon (Shepparton-Tatura), Zane Barzen (Shepparton United), Zavier Maher (Shepparton United)
Coburg
Kyle Galloway (Deniliquin)
Essendon
Joe Atley (Rochester)
Footscray
Nathan Drummond (Mooroopna-Shepparton)
Geelong
Jye Chalcraft (Shepparton United), Liam Fiore (Shepparton United)
North Melbourne
Flynn Appleby (Cohuna)
Northern Bullants
Cam Wild (Shepparton), Jack Murphy (Seymour)
Richmond
Angus Hicks (Shepparton United), Nathan Oakes (Nathalia), Dylan Cook (Seymour), Sam Durham (Seymour)
Sandringham
Jack McHale (Echuca)
Southport
Tom Miller (Tatura)
Werribee
Jack Henderson (Deniliquin), Matthew Brett (Shepparton), Bior Malual, Ariek Lual (Seymour), Louis Pinnuck (Strathmerton), Tom Boyd (Shepparton-Nathalia)
Williamstown
Darby Henderson (Echuca), Nick Mellington, Tom Downie (Benalla)
More local sport
NAB League | Murray Bushrangers enjoy triple delight at the weekend
National selection for former Shepparton rower
Goulburn Valley teenagers named in state netball and football level
Sports Editor