A HOST of former Ovens and Murray young guns are set to be targeted by their former clubs following the axing of the VFL’s development league.
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With AFL Victoria set to wind up the competition at the end of the season due to cost and scheduling difficulties, a number of former Ovens and Murray players could be forced to weigh up their futures.
I think it will be one of the worst decisions in Victorian football’s history.
- Andy Collins
Port Melbourne, Williamstown, Casey Demons, Sandringham, Northern Blues, Coburg, Box Hill Hawks and Werribee are fielding development league teams this season and have strong links with the Border.
Wangaratta’s Jade Clelland, Lavington’s Nick Meredith and Brydon Hodgson, North Albury’s Dom Brew and Aiden Adams and Myrtleford’s Jake Sharp and Nathan Laracy have played for Werribee in the competition this season.
North Albury’s Josh Minogue and Albury’s Fletcher Carroll are playing for Williamstown while Corowa-Rutherglen’s James Svarc and Michael Mattingly and Lavington’s Connor Byrne are at Coburg.
Many of the players are attending university in Melbourne and face the dilemma of playing in suburban competitions or travelling back to their Ovens and Murray clubs.
One of the players listed above said it was a huge blow to their chances of breaking into VFL or even AFL ranks.
“It’s not great coming out of the TAC Cup and then being told one of the pathways has been taken away,” the player said.
Williamstown coach Andy Collins said he was disappointed with the decision to scrap the league.
“It will be one of the worst decisions in Victorian football’s history,” Collins said.
“It’s just so important to have elite pathways there for boys at 18.
“It shouldn’t be that dreams finish at 18.
“I’ve said this on numerous occasions, a lot of players at that age just aren’t ready for senior football and so they can mature both physically and mentally in the Development League.”