Riley Arnold
The Camperdown Magpies will have another player join the 100 senior game club this weekend, with defender Riley Arnold reaching the milestone. Riley who received his first opportunity under Phil Carse in 2015 has been a key pillar in defence for the Magpies, especially in their Grand Final year of 2018. A former best and fairest winner, Riley has had a key impact into Camperdown’s pleasing start to the year and will continue to be one of the generals of the team. A terrific milestone and we wish Riley all the very best of luck.
Vic Country Reps
Six Hampden League young guns will and have had an opportunity to don the big white V in 2023. Last weekend, Cobden’s Archie Taylor, Warrnambool’s Sam Niklaus and North Warrnambool’s Charlie McKinnion helped the Vic Country U16 team register a surprise win over their metro counterparts, a feat that hasn’t been achieved for 18 years.This week, three players from the region were named in the U18 squad and a real live chances to play this weekend against South Australia. South Warrnambool duo George Stevens and Luamon Liam and Koroit star Finn O’Sullivan were named in the 31 man squad.The next two seasons we could see a number of these kids be drafted. I personally believe the three named in the U18 squad will be running around with AFL clubs in the next two years. George is a top 30 prospect, Luamon is a draft bolted and Finn with one more season in the Talent League comp will be a high draft pick.
Interleague Squads
This week, the Hampden League announced their U23 and U17 training squads for their July battle with Ballarat at Mars Stadium. The U23 squad is littered with A Grade talent and will be a hard one to whittle down to a game-day squad of 22-24. I’m rapt that players such as Portland’s Toby Jennings, Hamilton’s Rory Gill, Cobden’s Pat Smith and North Warrnambool’s Jackson Grundy have been named in the training squad, as they have been super players for their respective teams for a few seasons now and this could be a great pathway for something bigger in the seasons to come. A talented training squad and one that selectors will have many conversations about in regard to the best lineup for game day.
Round 10 Tips
These are some genuine eight point games this weekend with the ladder still staying so very tight. It’s a big week for Warrnambool, Camperdown and Cobden.
Camperdown vs Terang Mortlake – The Magpies have slumped a little in the past two weeks, dropping winnable games. Terang Mortlake are in form despite a narrow loss last week. It’ll be tight again, like round one, but I think Bloods can just hold out the home side.
Warrnambool vs Portland – A real danger game for the Blues as injuries continue to hurt them. No Sam Cowling this week is a major blow. Portland get Sharp and Malcolm back and this brings them into contention. Warrnambool by under a goal.
Koroit vs Cobden – Koroit will have momentum after a top win last round. They welcome three key players back including Alex Pulling. Cobden have lost Jesse Williamson to injury and will need to find a good goal-kick replacement. I think Koroit will win at home.
Hamilton vs North Warrnambool – The Kangaroos are on the board and the Eagles are flying. Nick Rodda was outstanding last week and I think he could be a real danger this week for a smaller Hamilton defence. North Warrnambool for the win.
South Warrnambool vs Port Fairy – A great contest coming up. South Warrnambool doing everything right at the moment whilst the Seagulls are in good form. A great test again for Dusty McCorkells boys but I think the Roosters have a little more strength across the ground.
See you at the Footy
Hilly
