NEW Hampden Schoolboys coach Brett Taylor says he will take a well-balanced squad into the V/Line Cup.
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The under 15 competition is a breeding group for TAC Cup footballers and has produced a number of AFL players, including Carlton free agent Dale Thomas and Collingwood goal sneak Steele Sidebottom.
Eleven Hampden and Warrnambool and District league players made the 25-strong Hampden Schoolboys’ team.
South Warrnambool’s Dominic Watt, Warrnambool’s Thomas Sell, North Warrnambool Eagles’ Joseph McKinnon, Cobden trio Trent Reed, Marcus Watson and Zac Green, Koroit’s Angus Campbell, Kolora-Noorat duo Luke McConnell and Brad Lucas, Camperdown’s Charlie Lucas and Dennington’s Jackson Creed were selected after impressing in practice games.
Cobden-based Taylor said he was quietly confident of the team’s division two chances.
“We have good talls and that has been a battle the last few years, to get decent talls,” he said.
“We are happy with our midfield group.
“We’ve got players with really good skill and run and solid boys who will get the inside ball.
“It is an even squad. Everyone will do their little bit.”
Taylor said coaching the Hampden Schoolboys helped him in his role as Geelong Falcons under 16 coach.
“It’s worked out well — you get a good insight for next year,” he said.
Taylor said the 25-player squad was chosen after a number of practice games with groups from Warrnambool, Camperdown and Colac pitted against one another.
The Colac and Camperdown regions had strong trial games and were rewarded with strong representation.
Hampden will play Wimmera on April 6 in Ballarat and the David Rodan Squad on April 7 in Melbourne. Hampden Schoolboys’ jumper presentations are on Wednesday night at Cobden.