MATCH PREVIEW | Under 19's Interleague

THE young guns from the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL will be determined to put in a strong showing against the Victorian Amateur’s top talent in the under-19s footy match on the QEO.

Many in the Bendigo squad of 26 have been playing at senior level on a consistent basis and in several cases have been starring every week.

Among those to watch will be Gisborne on-baller James Gray who will captain the BFNL team which is being coached by Kangaroo Flat’s Jason Stevens.

Gray has learnt a lot in a short amount of time teaming up with Gisborne ruckman Braidon Blake and ruck-rover Brad Bernacki who were both joint Michelsen medallist as fairest and best in last season’s senior footy action.

“The strong leadership qualities James has and consistent performance in matches and training have made him a standout figure in the group,” Stevens said.

Vice-captains will be Golden Square forward Jack McMahon and Kangaroo Flat on-baller/mid Aaron Nevins.

“They have impressed at our training sessions with their skill, professionalism and commitment to the inter-league program,” Stevens said.

“James (Gray) was the natural leader from day one, and the support from Jack and Aaron gives us a really solid leadership core.”

One of the emerging stars at Kangaroo Flat, Nevins played the opening two matches in the senior campaign and then was sidelined for many weeks because of injury.

He returned to the Tyrone Downie-coached Roos’ senior line-up in round eight and was best in last Saturday’s match against Sandhurst.

Kangaroo Flat also had Zach Bird, Xavier Coghill and Jay Newman selected in the squad of 26.

Leaders in the under-18s competition on 10-1 records, Sandhurst and South Bendigo are well represented in the under-19s squad.

The Dragons’ representatives include Jack English who was the George Symons medallist as fairest and best in the league’s under-18s competition last season.

English has kicked on to play four senior games for the Dragons in ’25.

Also in contention from Sandhurst to wear the blue and gold were Jake Austin, Oscar Cail, Henry Edwards and  Jaxon Howard.

South Bendigo has had Toby Hardingham and Ollie Turnbull play important roles in the club’s rise to second on the under-18s ladder.

Castlemaine’s Archie Rixon and Curtis McLennan have played seven and six senior matches for the Magpies this year.

Other players to watch include Golden Square’s Ollie Eaton, Melvic Pambai and Jimmy Wilkinson, and Gisborne’s Campbell Johns.

A strong group from Strathfieldsaye Storm includes Hugh Behrens, Jed Daniels and Charlie King.

All eight clubs would have been represented at under-19 level, but Eaglehawk’s teen sensation and forward Jack O’Shannessy earned promotion to the senior squad.

“Jack’s selection in the senior team says a lot about his form at club level and he deserves the best opportunities to showcase his talent on the big stage,” Stevens said.

“As a coaching group we have been really impressed with the level of talent,” he said of the under-19s squad.

“They’ve trained hard, challenged each other, and there’s a really strong sense of pride about representing the BFNL.”

It’s the first inter-league match for the VAFA at under-19 level since 2019 and follows the success of last season’s VAFA Under-19 North versus South Showcase exhibition match.

The Victorian Amateurs also have plenty of talent in this under-19s squad which has five players on VFL lists .

Among them is Noah Yze, son of Richmond coach and former Melbourne midfielder, Adem.

Selected in the centre, Noah Yze plays for Old Melburnians and is also in his third Coates Talent League season with Oakleigh Chargers.

The Paul Carrigan-coached VAFA squad will be captained by Charlie Opie from Old Ivanhoe Grammarians, and has Sam Linder  from Old Brighton Grammarians and Mitchell Kirkwood from Old Haileybury as vice-captains.

The VAFA has 200cm ruckman Alex Alessio from St Bernards who also plays for Calder Cannons in Coates Talent League.

Key defender Mitchell Lloyd from University Blues has played four matches for Geelong this VFL season.

Other key players for the Amateurs include Owen Bater at full-back, Jack Cheep and Bailey McKenzie in attack, and on-ballers Liam Edwards and Max Stobie.

There was plenty of talent for the VAFA to draw from Premier to the under-19 division for this challenge.