The GVL’s leadership group has been announced.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The Goulburn Valley League’s interleague clash with the Victorian Amateur Football Association is a tick over two months away, and the competition for spots are heating up.
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However, Benalla and GVL coach Nicholas Pearson is making no fuss when organising his leadership group, with the league unveiling five players set to be on the front line for the purple and gold on July 11.
Joining Pearson in representing Benalla is star Saints defender Nick Warnock, who is set to be a general in the backline after taking his intercepting game to the next level in the Saints’ campaign, adding a ninth interleague guernsey to his growing list of accolades.
Warnock has proven experience on the interleague stage, too, having stood up in a big way in what was a disappointing outing for the GVL against the Ovens & Murray League last season.
Notching 13 disposals, eight intercept marks - six of which were contested - and four rebound 50s to finish with 112 ranking points, Warnock was the second-highest rated player in purple and gold as the GVL handed back the Ash-Wilson Trophy in the 77-point defeat.
Benalla gun Nick Warnock (centre) has been named among the leadership group for the Goulburn Valley League’s interleague clash with the VAFA.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Reigning Morrison medallist Callum Brown will assume a spot with the GV monogram emblazoned on his guernsey, as his terrific spout of form to start the year has been unmistakably noticed by interleague selectors.
Another former AFL weapon is Sam Reid, the Echuca talent boasting leadership qualities from his experience gained at the top flight and in his three premierships for the Murray Bombers this decade.
A pair of Seymour talents will also feature, current leading goalkicker Riley Mason and Lions skipper Jack Murphy, who brings a wealth of on-field leadership into the role.
In other GVL news, Benalla has made a fresh signing after gun key forward Nathan Wright departed from the Saints fold.
Wright played the first three games for Benalla this year, kicking eight goals, but the VFL-listed Bomber has made a move to Edithvale-Aspendale in the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League, where he kicked six goals at the weekend.
Wright links up with former Benalla coach Luke Wright, who is now in the top job at the Eagles, while the GVL connection continues with former Mansfield mentor Jack Hutchins also at the club.
The Saints have signed six foot four key forward Brady Bartlett to fill the void, with the key forward having crossed the triple figure threshold for Milawa in the Ovens and King League last year, including a 19-goal haul against the Benalla All Blacks.
Bartlett had played a handful of reserves games for Ovens and Murray League club Wangaratta Magpies this year, kicking nine goals across the four matches, including a bag of six.
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