A PAIR of Victorian squad inclusions headline the players pushing for representative promotions ahead of this weekend’s double-header at Marvel Stadium. Namely, Dandenong Stingrays powerhouse JayDe Varlet has earned a Vic Country call-up in preparation for the clash against South Australia on Sunday.

The explosive midfielder-forward picked up 19 disposals and five inside 50s as the Stingrays comfortably accounted for Murray Bushrangers, standing out with his athletic profile and ability to connect the lines. Having been overlooked for the squad which travelled to Western Australia, he gets his chance at home.

Varlet isn’t the only one hoping for a debut in the ‘Big V’ guernsey. Greater Western Victoria pocket rocket Talor Byrne is banging the door down after kicking three goals from 22 touches and laying nine tackles in the Rebels’ big win over Northern. He played as a permanent forward and suits the role nicely.

Country’s eight bottom-age train-on players are also vying for call-ups. Diminutive Gippsland Power forward Marlon Neocleous was a surprise inclusion for game one, but faces stiff competition from top-age smalls like Byrne and Varlet who will likely take priority for similar roles in attack.

If not, Dandenong’s Marcus Prasad has been as effective as anyone as a high forward. At 167cm, he’s even smaller than Neocelous (168cm) but packs a punch with his tackling pressure and can carve up the opposition. His agility and creative ball use would be handy on the representative stage.

Another Power product, Cody Templeton is also in terrific form at Coates Talent League level, and Ethan Drever just produced a breakout game for GWV. Both are capable of running on-ball but would more likely prise positions at either end of the ground – Templeton forward and Drever back.

More utilities like Tanner Armstrong and Gus Kennedy are in the mix, along with Geelong Falcons talls Jack Pickett and Fletcher Pulleine. Picket has been plying his trade for Geelong Grammar in the APS competition and most recently kicked five goals in a 66-point defeat to Armstrong’s Scotch College.

On the Metro side of things, despite having a bye this week, Western Jets prospect Oskar Ainsworth has been added to the training squad. The powerful midfielder-forward was undeniable after proving the difference in Western’s five-goal win over Calder, booting five majors from 21 disposals and 10 marks.

It is also no secret that after game one, recruiters will be keen to see hard-running midfielder Jack Dalton at the level. He was the captain of Vic Metro’s title-winning Under 16 side in 2023 but has missed most of the year through injury. His Coates Talent League return yielded 35 disposals a fortnight ago.

Train-ons Blake Chambers and Finnegan Davis are also in top form. Chambers’ ball use has been outstanding on a wing for Eastern Ranges, while Davis is averaging 29 disposals, six marks, and seven rebound 50s this season as the primary distributor in Western’s defence.

The condensed Allies squad only really has a couple of game one exclusions who will hope to make the cut for Sunday’s clash with Western Australia. Suns Academy pair Cooper Collins and Jonah Harris have both been preparing for potential call-ups at VFL level, among several other junior teammates.

Meanwhile, 14 West Australian squad members (including train-ons) plied their trade in the WAFL Colts over the weekend. Among the standouts was Fremantle NGA prospect Ryda Luke, who returned from injury for South Fremantle. He booted 2.6 from 14 disposals and five marks to press his claim.

The Eagles also have a club-tied talent to look forward to in Garrison Kenh. The athletic East Perth defender picked up 21 disposals, four marks and six tackles over the weekend as one of the few bottom-agers to have made the final cut for WA. Many others were included as train-ons.

Having already added West Perth Colts captain Lochlain Carpenter to the backline, perhaps a shuffle is in order at the other end of the ground. Claremont key forward Charlie Watson got his chance in game one, but will have competition from Falcon Harvey Spawton-Guy, who booted two goals on the weekend.

Over in South Australia, a handful of state squad members hit the SANFL Under 18s. Four of them haven’t taken the field yet, with three being bottom-agers. The lone top-ager in that group, Blake Thredgold, made his return from a broken hand in Sturt’s loss to Woodville-West Torrens.

The key defender posted nine disposals, four marks and six rebound 50s for the Double Blues in a steady first game back. He was among three Croweaters set to miss most – if not all – of the Under 18 championships alongside Jevan Phillipou and bottom-age star Dougie Cochrane.

SA’s top-age depth has meant 2008-born talent like Archie Van dyk and Kodah Edwards have had to wait for their chance. The South Adelaide pair were prolific over the weekend, with the former having 24 touches and 10 marks, while the latter posted 27 disposals and eight clearances.

Another in-form prospect to consider is Ethan Herbert. Much like Van dyk and Edwards, the North Adelaide ruck has hardly put a foot wrong but is being kept out by talented top-agers. He most recently posted 23 disposals, 20 hitouts and 10 clearances in a rare triple-double for the Roosters.