The Murray Bushrangers have revealed their under-16 pre-season squad, with 70 players making the cut.
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The Bushrangers' under-16 team is a development pathway program into the under-18 NAB League competition and plays three matches in the AFL Victoria Country Under-16 Carnival, held across three weekends in March and early April.
Round one will be played on March 21-22 against Gippsland Power, the Bushies will then meet Bendigo Pioneers on March 28-29, rounded out by a clash against Greater Western Victoria Rebels on April 3.
Following the pre-season program and a series of practice matches, a final squad of 25 players is selected to represent the Bushrangers at the AFL Victorian Country Under-16 Carnival.
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The side will again be coached by Justin McMahon, who is excited by the potential of the group.
"Last year's team won all the matches and we have two from that group selected for the Under-18 Victorian Country Academy as bottom-age members in Josh Rachele and Tom Brown," McMahon said.
"The players have an opportunity to really develop with some high level coaching and high performance support.
"The likes of Stephen Ash, Ben Hollands and Carl Norton will be joined by Jon Henry, Phil Guthrie and Craig Ednie in development coach roles."
North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell and Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom are among the players to progress through to the AFL after impressing at the carnival at under-16 level.
The squad will commence pre-season at Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval from mid-November through to Christmas, with another eleven weeks of training and practice matches from January 12 to round one.
The Murray Bushrangers under-16 boys pre-season squad is: Will Noonan (Barnawartha), Ethan Guy (Benalla Bulldogs), Billy O'Meara, Rufus Niedra, Fred Wilkinson (Beechworth), Mikka Paulsen (Bright), Will Slatterie, Matteo Allen, Ryan Mele (Cobram), Brodie Paul, Jimmy Kelly (Centrals JFC), Ashton Brookes (Chiltern), Will O'Keefe (College JFC), Fletcher Paul, Nicholas McCabe (Euroa), Ryan Battin (Imperials JFC), Jack Boulton, Braedon Marjanovic, Josh Tweedale, Noah Harding, Jayden Adamo (Kangaroos JFC), Bailey Smith (Katunga), Cody George, Nathan Buchanan (Mansfield), Kydan Atkinson, Riley Moon (Mooroopna), Josh Jones, Tom Cappellari, Jackson Masin, Damon Harrington, Tom Crisp, Toby Cossor (Myrtleford), Matt Hodgson, Kade O'Dwyer, Flynn Penberthy (Numurkah), Andre Briggs, Jayden Armstrong, Ashtyn Atkinson (Rumbalara), Sam Edmondson (Rutherglen), Lachlan Rumbiolo, Tanner Madigan (Shepparton), Zac Dwyer, Enrique Goggin, Max Clohesy, Valo Valoia, Harrison Marzella (Shepp Swans), Kyle Montgomery, Patrick Thompson, Jack Davey, Charlie Di Stefano, Ryan Calogero, Kian Roche, Sam Adams (Shepp United), Nicholas Quigg, Alex Elliott (St Mary's Seymour), Brayden George (Tatura), Will Sharp (Tigers JFC), Waitai Tua, Ned Taylor (Wangaratta), George McKimmie, Oliver Hollands (Wodonga), Noah Smith, Max Alymore (Wodonga Raiders), Tom Gorman, Oliver Ridley, Max Mickelson, Zac Fraser, Will Connell, Caleb Mitchell and Sam Hemphill (Yarrawonga).