Back again: United's Molly Kennedy features in the Bushrangers’ preseason squad. Picture: Megan Fisher
Photo by
Megan Fisher
With little more than two months until the NAB League under-19 girls season kicks off, the Murray Bushrangers have unveiled their summer training squad.
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The Bushrangers announced last week a preseason squad of 46 players from football clubs across the goulburn murray, north-east border and southern NSW regions.
It is another strong showing of players from the Goulburn Valley, with 16 talented juniors from the local Youth Girls competition.
Back once again: Shepparton United and Benalla product Keeley Skepper — pictured here giving Shepparton Notre-Mooroopna a helping hand — features in the Bushrangers’ squad.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton Swans and Shepparton United lead the way with five products each, while Seymour (three) Shepparton-Notre (two) and Mansfield (one) all have representation in the squad.
The Bushrangers chiselled down the squad after a recent trial and testing day in Shepparton.
Murray Bushrangers’ lead coach Mark Brown said the club was impressed with the talent rising through the ranks.
“It’s fantastic to see so many talented young female footballers emerging within our regions,” he said.
“Especially with the challenges the girls and their families have faced during the pandemic.
“We were extremely impressed with the application from all the players during our trials.
“We invited more than 80 players into a trial and testing day which measured skill and athletic traits.
“Excitingly, there were many girls that demonstrated the necessary talent profiles to progress to the elite AFLW level.”
The squad will train in the lead-up to next year’s season.
The new campaign kicks off on January 22 with a home game at Yarrawonga’s JC Lowe Oval against the Bendigo Pioneers.
“Following two seasons of uncertainty, we’re excited about the potential of an uninterrupted preseason and seeing how the girls have improved since the end of the 2021 season,” Brown said.
The Bushies coach also highlighted which players to watch out for during the preseason.
The next crop of future stars will be gunning to replicate the feats of former Bushranger and United product Aurora Smith — who was drafted to AFLW outfit the Western Bulldogs in July.
“Our under-17 Vic Country players last season, Madi Gray, Grace Hay and Keeley Skepper, all tested extremely well,” Brown said.
“Cassidy Mailer has Vic Country experience and has recovered from a serious leg injury, while Zara Hamilton and India Lehman are two Riverina-based players who have already impressed at NAB League level.”
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