SQUADS have been announced for Friday’s Victorian Under 18 trials, where Country and Metro will go head-to-head in a pair of showcase games. The fixtures serve as an audition for budding representative prospects to press their case to represent the Big V at this year’s National Championships.

>> SCROLL to see the full squads

Set to be played out at Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee, game one commences at 11:00am, followed by game two at 1:30pm. There are several players of interest scattered across all four squads, including those tied to clubs, others climbing draft boards, and over-agers in Mid-Season Draft contention.

Game one alone will see the amount of Next Generation Academy (NGA) and father-son candidates spill into double-digits. Collingwood lays claim to players in each category with first round prospects Zac McCarthy and Thomas McGuane set to take the field together for Vic Metro.

Carlton fans can look forward to seeing NGA members Jack Ison, Mingara Clark and Tyson Gresham combine on the same team, with Ison making his first competitive appearance for the year. Essendon-tied goalsneak Hussien El Achkar is another to watch after a strong start to the season.

One the Country side in game one, Adelaide fans will be keen to see how father-son gun Mitch Stevens fares. Flying wingman Toby Sinnema (Melbourne NGA) is sure to provide plenty of speed on the outside, while Jesse Mellor (Geelong) and bottom-ager Tanner Armstrong (Richmond) are also on the radar.

As far as rising draft prospects go – available to all clubs in the open draft – midfielders Sam Grlj (Metro) and Hunter Wright (Country) have shown genuine quality at Coates Talent League level. Watch for them to lock horns at the centre bounces with the former rotating back and the latter forward.

There will be some Mid-Season Draft interest in the likes of defenders Zac Walker and Rod Ali on either side, along with Calder Cannons powerhouse Cooper Herbert for Metro. In game two, athletic GWV Rebels key forward Floyd Burmeister will also move the needle as an over-ager.

Sandringham Dragons midfielder Rory Wright will arguably be the main event in that clash though, rising the ranks after bursting onto the scene this year. Two more in that category are also on the Metro side in NGA candidates – yes, there’s more – Adam Sweid (Essendon) and Jai Saxena (Collingwood).

Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central, where we’ll have Scouting Notes on both games.

FULL SQUADS

GAME ONE:
Vic Country v Vic Metro
Friday April 18, 11:00am @ Avalon Airport Oval

GAME TWO:
Vic Country v Vic Metro
Friday April 18, 1:30pm @ Avalon Airport Oval