ISAAC Wareham is happy with his early birthday present.
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The Terang Mortlake teenager doesn't turn 19 until December which will allow him to compete in the entire NAB League season, which kicks off for country-based players on August 22 amid the coronavirus pandemic with strict state government rules.
Players aged 19, despite being part of the statewide competition, are ruled ineligible under the current guidelines which include no contact training and competition for adults.
Fellow Hampden league players Liam Herbert (South Warrnambool) and Josh Dwyer (Port Fairy) are both 19.
Warrnambool's Mitch Burgess, who doesn't turn 19 until September, is eligible for the opening rounds before his birthday.
Herbert, Dwyer, Burgess and Wareham, who all joined Geelong's VFL team this year, were listed at Greater Western Victoria Rebels in 2020 as overage prospects.
Both Herbert and Wareham played for Vic Country at the AFL under 18 national championships last year.
Wareham, who plans to suit up for the Bloods' under 18.5 side before returning to play for Greater Western Victoria Rebels, can't wait to return.
"It's definitely good for me (NAB League return). I think I had a pretty good season last year in the games I played," he said.
"I think for me it's just about trying to get more of the ball. I think I did good things last year but not enough of it.
"I want to get more touches and influence the game more. I think being an over-ager that's something you have to do."
Wareham said the chance to play alongside mates at Terang Mortlake before the NAB League restart was exciting.
"It's good to be able to give back and help a club that has probably got me there," he said.
"It's going to be a pretty strong competition. It sounds like there are a few quality players coming back to play in it which is good for the league."
Wareham's goal is still to play at the highest level possible.
GWV Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said people's "health and well-being" was the club's number one priority this season.
"Our competition will be governed by the Victoria sports and recreation regulations and the health department," he said.
"Whatever advice the health department pass onto our competition through sport and recreation is what we are going to be following."
Partington encouraged the ineligible players to "stay physically and mentally healthy".
"Hopefully things may change in the near future," he said.
Partington said he was grateful the five country clubs would get a chance to play.
The seven metropolitan-based clubs, which are stage three lockdown areas, do not have a start date.
"We all want kids to play footy but the health and safety of the community is paramount," he said.
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