New players cannot be added to the Murray Bushrangers' pre-season squads prior to Christmas.
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Restrictions on training remain in place due to COVID-19 and the region's talent pathway can only welcome back existing members of its under-18 and under-16 squads (increased to 19s and 17s in 2021) for its scheduled training sessions in December.
Bushrangers' regional talent operations lead Mick Wilson said the restrictions will provide a challenge, but opportunities will still be available in the new year.
"With COVID and restrictions around group sizes and training, we can't have large numbers in the pre-season squads," Wilson said.
"It's going to be challenging for not only our process in regards to providing opportunities for kids, but kids all develop at different rates.
"You might have missed out on the under-16 program last year and really improved with your football or physical attributes, but we can't invite those kids at this stage.
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"Traditionally we've had 100-plus in the under-18 program in pre-season and 70 to 80 in the under-16 program, but the under-17s are sitting at about 40, the under-19s are at 45 and the girls are around 40.
"The squads sizes have been reduced dramatically for the pre-season, but we're hopeful with further easing of COVID restrictions that we can bring some more numbers in after Christmas."
However, the AFL have offered a compromise to NAB League clubs which will allow them to bring in players from outside the final squad after the season has started.
"Previously once the squads were selected, there was little room to bring players in, but now we've been advised by the AFL that players showing form at local level can come into the Bushrangers program during the season," Wilson said.
"The key message is kids that aren't involved at the moment will still have a window.
"If they're working hard, training and playing good football, there's still an opportunity to get into the program and be front and centre in front of AFL recruiters."
Wilson said he feels for the under-15 players who missed out on V-Line Cup this year - country Victoria's premier junior regional championships, but said the AFL wants to find a solution.
The Bushrangers' under-19s will have their first pre-season training session at Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval on Sunday.