TWO south-west footballers will get a chance to impress AFL recruiters when they make their debut for Vic Country at the under 18 championships.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
South Warrnambool's Liam Herbert and Terang Mortlake's Isaac Wareham will don the Big V jumper for the first time against South Australia at Geelong's GMHBA Stadium on Friday after recovering from injury.
Wareham, 17, who is in the AFL's academy, and Herbert, 18, both overcame groin complaints to earn their spots while fellow Rooster Jay Rantall will line up for his third game for Country.
The 18-year-old has featured in all of Vic Country's games so far, kicking two goals in his last game against the Allies and was named in the best in the first game against Vic Metro.
"Liam has had a bit of groin complaint for the last couple of weeks so we rested him as he wasn't getting his maximum power output," Greater Western Victoria Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said.
"We rested him for two to three weeks and he came back last week and played a good, injury-free brand of footy and he was back to his best good so it's good to see him represent Vic Country.
"It was similar for Isaac, who has been on lengthy program to get right. If they are not 100 per cent right they won't play as these are important games and their welfare is paramount."
MORE FOOTBALL:
Partington said it was a proud moment for the region to have three of its players feature in a national championships match, which will be telecast on FOX Footy from 1pm.
Meanwhile, Port Fairy's Josh Dwyer and Hamilton Kangaroos' Harry Waters return for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in their NAB League game against Dandenong Stingrays.
Waters' Kangaroos teammate James Cleaver, Warrnambool's Mitch Burgess, Camperdown's Toby Mahony, South Warrnambool's Fraser Marris and Marcus Herbert have all retained their spots.
Last weekend's debutants, Clem Nagorcka (Koroit) and Toby Jennings (Portland), will get another chance as bottom-aged players for the final week of the Futures rounds.
The Rebels will be looking to score their third win of the season against the Stingrays, after another close defeat to the Western Jets last weekend.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
