Wimmera footballers prepare for cup

Several Wimmera footballers are among a 50-strong Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy junior boys squad for the upcoming V/line Cup.

The cup, to be played during the week starting Monday, September 23 in Shepparton, comprises the top under-15 talent in regional Victoria.

Wimmera players selected for the squad are: Kade Bohner, Tom Cousins, Jordan Cox, Henry Shea and Flynn Toner, Ararat; Jett Hopper and Brody Pope, Horsham; Max Bryan and Andrew Taylor, Horsham Saints; Matthew Brown and Brayden Purchase, Nhill; and Sam Jenkinson, Stawell.

Team manager Jason Muldoon said the squad was picked after an extensive selection process that included Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy, WBNGA, regional trial matches.

“The selection process was very thorough, we are bringing together players from across the WBNGA zones, which is a huge area,” he said.

Former Victoria Country under-16 and Greater Western Victoria Rebels assistant coach Ricky Andrews will coach the WBNGA V/line Cup team. Current Kolora Noorat senior coach Ben Walsh will coach the WBNGA B team.

Assisting the pair will be former Geelong and Port Adelaide player Shayne Breuer and current Hampden WBNGA head coach Tim Hunt.

“The coaching staff is very impressed with the standard of players that are coming through to the V/line Cup,” Muldoon said.

“This is a direct result of the structures and level of coaching the players are receiving at their local clubs.”