Coates Talent League club Murray Bushrangers announced its 25-player under-16 squad for the upcoming season on Wednesday.
The roster may heavily feature Ovens and Murray representatives, but four green shoots from the city of Shepparton have made the cut.
Shepparton’s Lincoln Brand, Maelan Allan and Alex Whitlock have made the squad alongside Shepparton United’s Lucas O’Hora.
Brand headlines the squad and is fast emerging as a player to watch for football fans.
A tall midfielder who can play in practically any position on the ground, Brand is raring to go and eager to make a name for himself as football becomes more serious across the next three seasons.
Whitlock is a name that will be familiar to The News’ readership.
He is the younger brother of towering twins Jack and Matt who were taken in last year’s AFL Draft by Port Adelaide and North Melbourne, respectively.
O’Hora impressed at the V-Line Cup last season, playing two games and featuring in the best once — he has featured in the tournament the past two seasons.
The young gun was also impactful for United in its under-15 side.
Shepparton’s Allan is also ready to impress, having had a strong season last year in the V-Line Cup and at junior level.
The Bushranger quadruplets had a perfect example of what can be achieved if they can impress across their next three seasons on Saturday night.
Murray Bushrangers graduate and 2024 Port Adelaide draftee Joe Berry (Benalla) made his AFL debut at the MCG on Saturday night.
Only months after finishing his last game in the Bushies jumper, Berry found himself tearing around the home of football in front of friends, family and 63,000 fans.
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