Shepparton Swans young gun Oliver Warburton experienced his first taste of professional football on Sunday afternoon.
The 18-year-old debuted for the Magpies in their round 18 VFL clash against Richmond.
The Swans’ prodigy didn’t look out of place either, collecting 15 touches and three clearances in an impressive debut.
Playing in defence and floating across half-back, Warburton said he felt like he grew in confidence as the game continued.
“It was next level,” Warburton said.
“Especially with the bigger bodies and the quickness of the game.
“I felt like I adapted to it as the quarters went on — I felt pretty comfortable.”
With the majority of his 2024 football behind him, Warburton said he remained laser-focused on the next few months of football in the lead-up to the 2024 AFL Draft Combine.
“It’s been really good fun and a good journey going from Bushies and Vic Country and now the VFL; it’s like another level with each game,” he said.
“If I get lucky enough to get selected again (for Collingwood), I could possibly play again.
“I’m very excited for what’s next.”
Collingwood secured an 11-point victory over Richmond to make the day extra special for Warburton as he celebrated with teammates and his family, mother Ange, sister Daisy and father Brett Warburton — older brother Ethan plays for Norwood in the SANFL and was unable to attend.
Brett said he and Ange were incredibly proud of their son for making his VFL debut.
“It was very exciting for (Oliver),” Brett said.
“He has been training with Collingwood VFL on Monday and Wednesday nights, which has been really great on behalf of Collingwood.
“He came in and I thought he played really well; he held his own.
“He got some really good feedback from all the coaches and they were really impressed — I think he put his best foot forward.
“For a young kid who has just turned 18, it was a great experience, and his mum and dad were incredibly proud; it was a great day.”
Warburton has had an impressive 2024 season to date.
The gun midfielder-defender averaged 18.5 disposals for Vic Country at the recent Under-18 National Championships.
His school side, Caulfield Grammar, has one game remaining in the season, with Warburton returning to play for the Murray Bushrangers for the remainder of their season in the Coates Talent League.
Although it will unlikely come to fruition, Brett said his son would love to play a game for Shepparton Swans in Goulburn Valley League.
“He hasn’t played a senior game yet for Shepp Swans, which I know deep down he can’t wait to do because he grew up at the club, so he is dying to come home and play a game for Shepp Swans,” he said.
“There might be a game somewhere where the (stars) align and he can play a game for the Swans.”
There was another Goulburn Valley League export in Collingwood’s VFL side on Sunday, with Mansfield’s Harry Mahoney once again impressing for the Magpies at state level.
Although Mahoney is a starring winger-midfielder for the Eagles in Goulburn Valley League, the Magpies have been using Mahoney as a small forward this season to great effect.
Mahoney has kicked 9.10 from eight games for Collingwood and has averaged 12.1 disposals a match.
On Sunday, the Eagles’ young gun — who won best-on-ground honours for GVL in its interleague match against Ovens and Murray this year — collected 13 disposals, two tackles and kicked 0.2.
Mahoney’s best game for Collingwood this season came the weekend prior against Carlton’s VFL side when had had 22 touches and kicked 2.3.
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