SUMMER training squads for Victoria Country and Metro have been announced, with 45 players selected between the two hubs. Respectively, they will convene in January and February, taking part in two high performance training camps as players also prepare for the Coates Talent League season.

>> SCROLL to see the squads

All players, born in either 2006 or 2007, will subsequently be available for selection in the 2024 Under 18 National Championships. Additional players also vie for spots in the final representative squads next year, with trial matches to be conducted in April.

Either side boasts seven AFL Academy members each, while every Victorian Coates Talent League region is represented. Paul Corrigan will continue as Country coach, while Rob Harding again takes the reigns for Metro, after mentoring Sandringham Dragons to premiership success this year.

Vic Country’s training sessions are scheduled for December 18-19 at The Hangar, and January 21-23 at Federation University in Ballarat. Metro will convene at The Hangar from December 19-20, before heading to Deakin University in Geelong at a date yet to be confirmed.

A strong bottom-age contingent is evident in the Metro side after taking out the 2023 Under 16 National Championships. Five 2007-born players have been included – each being All Australian members – while Country lays claim to six prospects from said age group.

Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central, where we’ll profile each member of both squads over the next week. Squads and details for the Victorian girls summer talent hubs are also expected to be announced next week.

>> ONES TO WATCH: 24 AFL Draft prospects for 2024

2024 VIC COUNTRY SUMMER TRAINING SQUAD

Archer Day-Wicks** (Bendigo Pioneers)
Willem Duursma* (Gippsland Power)
Jonty Faull** (GWV Rebels)
Zac Harding (Murray Bushrangers)
Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves* (Dandenong Stingrays)
Harley Hicks* (GWV Rebels)
Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays)
Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons)
Sam Lalor** (GWV Rebels)
Harvey Langford** (Dandenong Stingrays)
Xavier Lindsay** (Gippsland Power)
Zac McInnes (Geelong Falcons)
Noah Mraz** (Dandenong Stingrays)
Riley Onley* (Murray Bushrangers)
Finn O’Sullivan** (Oakleigh Chargers)
Flynn Penry (GWV Rebels)
Ben Rongdit* (Geelong Falcons)
Jobe Scapin* (Gippsland Power)
Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers)
Rhys Unwin (GWV Rebels)
Oliver Warburton (Murray Bushrangers)
Jack Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers)
Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers)

* – denotes bottom-aged
** – denotes AFL Academy listed

2024 VIC METRO SUMMER TRAINING SQUAD

Harry Armstrong (Sandringham Dragons)
Levi Ashcroft** (Sandringham Dragons)
Jack Dalton* (Sandringham Dragons)
Jesse Dattoli (Northern Knights)
Lachy Dovaston* (Eastern Ranges)
Louis Emmett* (Oakleigh Chargers)
Oliver Greeves* (Eastern Ranges)
Lucca Grego (Western Jets)
Tom Gross** (Oakleigh Chargers)
Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons)
Zak Johnson (Northern Knights)
Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons)
Nash King (Calder Cannons)
Archie Ludowyke* (Sandringham Dragons)
Christian Moraes** (Eastern Ranges)
Harry O’Farrell** (Calder Cannons)
Harrison Oliver (Sandringham Dragons)
Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons)
Charlie Richardson (Oakleigh Chargers)
Josh Smillie** (Eastern Ranges)
Jagga Smith** (Oakleigh Chargers)
Luke Trainor** (Sandringham Dragons)

* – denotes bottom-aged
** – denotes AFL Academy listed