FIVE of the Ovens and Murray’s finest are putting their best foot forward on the national stage.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Albury quartet Zach Sproule, Max Lynch, Fletcher Carroll and Charlie Spargo, along with Corowa-Rutherglen’s Ryan Garthwaite, are representing the Allies in the under-18 national championships.
Deniliquin’s Todd Marshall, who has been touted as a high draft pick, has been another strong contributor in the combined NSW, Queensland and Northern Territory outfit. The Allies have lost their opening two matches against South Australia and Western Australia but will look to bounce back when they take on Victoria Metro at Etihad Stadium on Friday.
Bushrangers talent manager Lee Fraser said the Ovens and Murray contingent were thriving in the elite environment.
“They have responded really well to the high level of coaching and mentoring they receive and importantly have a fierce desire to be the very best they can be,” he said.
“As a football club we also take great pleasure in the development of players who have worked hard within our program.
“The medical, high performance, coaching and operational staff at our football club continue to provide an elite environment which gives the players every opportunity.”
Fraser said it was particularly pleasing to see Garthwaite and Carroll representing the Allies after overcoming injury concerns earlier in the season.
“Ryan was one of our most important players as a bottom-age player in 2015 and whilst he has had some injury setbacks during the year, his attitude and professionalism to get back has been first class,” he said.
“Fletch is a great leader around the club and has continued to play well in both the TAC Cup and through the Nationals.”
Meanwhile, high-flying Cobram big man Esava Ratugolea has also been added to the Victorian Country squad after kicking eight goals against Bendigo.
Ratugolea joins Bushrangers teammates Louis Pinnuck (Strathmerton) and Will Brodie (Shepparton) in the Country squad, which would have also included Benalla’s Harry Morrison and Mooroopna’s Jy Simpkin if not for injury.
“It is an exciting time of year when the nationals are on, the players are nervous yet keen to compete with and against the best junior footballers in the country,” Fraser said.
“As a region we have a combination of players who are fully entrenched in the AFL talent pathway.
“The ongoing improvement of key position players Esava Ratugolea and Max Lynch has been quite astonishing.”
Victoria Country plays South Australia at Etihad Stadium on Friday.