Jacob Koschitzke to make debut with Albury Tigers in the Ovens and Murray at 16 years of age

Come 2pm at John Foord Oval on Saturday, they will all have debuted for the Tigers as 16-year-olds.

Koschitzke has rocketed through the ranks since playing thirds for the Ovens and Murray club last season with the 198-centimetre key position player being among the Murray Bushrangers’ best in their opening three matches.

“It was a bit of a shock when Joel (Mackie) called me,” Koschitzke said.

“With the Bushrangers having the bye this week, I thought I would be playing in the reserves.

“It’s a surprise but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Koschitzke will be joined in the Albury side by fellow debutants Billy Robertson and Sam Schulz.

He is a cousin of former St Kilda forward Justin Koschitzke.

Robertson, 18, has impressed for the GWS reserves in recent weeks after being restricted to three reserve and third grade matches at Albury last season due to stress fractures.

“It’s a great opportunity especially after missing so much footy last year,” Robertson said.

Schulz joined the Tigers last season following a knee reconstruction and, after having several minor setbacks in his recovery, is fit to take on Corowa-Rutherglen.

Albury co-coach Shaun Daly said the Tigers had regenerated their list with eight players debuting this year.

“It’s exciting when you see the young blokes come through,” Daly said.

“’Billy and ‘Kosi’ have been all the way through our junior program and the Murray Bushrangers’ program and for those two to play senior footy is great for them and the footy club.

“They have worked hard and got the reward.

“We have had a lot of kids go through the Bushrangers in recent years and it’s fantastic to see when they come back.”

In a big jump from previous seasons, Albury now has eight former third grade players – Cooper and Jake Page, Ollie McEwan, Will Blomely, Lachie Dight, Dylan McDonald, Koschitzke and Robertson – in its senior line-up.

Corowa-Rutherglen has suffered heavy defeats in its opening round matches against North Albury and Lavington and can expect no favours from Albury.

The Tigers were comprehensively outplayed by Wodonga last weekend and will be desperate to get their season back on track.

“Wodonga came to play last week and were the better side,” Daly said.

“They showed us up in a number of key areas to be honest.

“Full credit to them.”