BFNL names initial interleague squad for VAFA clash

A TALENTED group of emerging footballers is in line to represent the BFNL in its under-19s interleague clash against the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) in July this year.

The league has announced an initial 54-player squad for the July 13 clash at the QEO, comprising a minimum of five players from each of the league’s eight clubs.

This may be added to in the coming weeks, with the squad to be trimmed to either 34 or 35 ahead of the first training session on June 18.

Sandhurst is best represented with nine Dragons players named in the squad, followed by Strathfieldsaye (eight) and Castlemaine, Golden Square and South Bendigo each with seven.

The squad includes a generous sprinkling of players to have featured at senior BFNL level this year.

Coach Jason Stevens said selection in the squad was a reward for strong early season form.

“Our coaching and support staff have been closely watching matches over the opening rounds, and we’re confident we’ve pulled together a strong squad featuring talent from right across all BFNL clubs,” he said.

“This squad may be expanded in the coming weeks before we narrow it down to a final training group of 34 to 35 players by mid-June.”

Stevens praised the BFNL’s commitment to interleague football.

“The league is throwing fantastic support behind the interleague program at both senior and under-19 level, and we can’t wait to get stuck into it,” he said.

The under-19 program kicks off with an information session for all players selected in the initial squad on Sunday, May 4, from 10:30am at the Bendigo Club.

It will be chance for players to meet the coaching team, which includes assistant coaches Will Brohm, Josh Baird, Riley Wilson and Will Moran.

Initial under-19s squad: Archie Rixon, Curtis McLennan , Mitch McKnight, Alton Bracken, Chaz Holman, Tom Ford, Saxon Sieber-Hogg (Castlemaine), Jack O’Shannessy, Cahal Blandthorn, Deacon Marsh, James Coates Moore, Tyson Taylor, James Gray, Will Elliot, Campbell Johns, Lachlan Evans, Jacob Floreani (Gisborne), Ollie Eaton, Jesse Gill, Melvic Pambai, Jimmy Wilkinson, Jack McMahon, Bailey Warfe, Riley Dillon (Golden Square), Aaron Nevins, Lachy Raymond, Jay Newman, Xav Coghill, Harry Jackman (Kangaroo Flat), Lachlan Borchard, Charlie Duke, Ollie Morris, Carter Reid, Oscar Cail, Jack English, Darby Whatley, Lenny McNamara, Jackson Howard (Sandhurst), Jasper Irwin, Toby Hardingham, Adam Triplett, Brady Stroud, Luke Feuerherdt, Ollie Patton, Ollie Turnball (South Bendigo) Jye Chambers, Jack Molloy, Joe Hayes, Charlie King , Jed Daniels – Strathfieldsaye Jack Bell, Hugh Behrens, Phoenix Gordon (Strathfieldsaye).