FIVE players from Warrnambool Rangers’ grand final side will showcase the south-west as part of a Ballarat District Soccer Association (BDSA) All-Stars team next week.
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Dechlan Picken, Josh Bourke and the van Rooy brothers Nick, Martin and Matt were selected in the 16-man team for a charity match against National Premier League club Ballarat Red Devils at Ballarat’s Morshead Park on Tuesday.
Martin van Rooy said it was a credit to the club to have “such a strong amount of talent from Warrnambool” in the All-Stars side.
He said the concept was in its first-year and officials hoped it would become a regular fixture on the pre-season calendar.
The reigning BDSA division one best-and-fairest winner, who said they would play a proper 90-minute fixture, expects a hard-fought battle.
“They (the NPL team) have been training since November and our training started yesterday,” he said.
“We’ll have an interchange system rather than three subs for the game to cater for a lack of fitness.
“We’re aiming for a win — it’ll be a very tough game but we’ve still got to aim for a win.”
Van Rooy, 21, said he was grateful for the opportunity to test himself against quality opponents and learn from different teammates.
The game, which will raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria, kicks off at 7pm.
