McLaren yesterday announced a 37-player squad that will gather for an initial training session next week to prepare for Hampden’s country championships clash with the Murray league in Warrnambool on May 23.

The squad contains just 10 members of last year’s representative side that suffered a 125-point loss to powerhouse Ovens and Murray.

McLaren said an injection of youth and pace was no accident. “There is a lot of youth and it’s by design,” McLaren said.

“When we met early, the plan was to get youth and speed into the squad but saying that we wouldn’t have picked anyone who wasn’t playing well.”

McLaren said he and his selectors — Hamilton Kangaroos coach Jarrod Holt, retired Camperdown great Aaron Sinnott, former South Warrnambool coach Matthew Monk and former Warrnambool premiership captain Dustin McCorkell — had consulted widely with club coaches about who had strong pre-seasons, good starts to the season and which young players were ready for the step up.

The list of youngsters in the squad is headed by teenagers Thomas Ludeman (Warrnambool), James Gow (Koroit), Isaac Martin (Port Fairy), Cameron Spence and Jack Williams (Camperdown).

“There is one eye on the future too,” McLaren said.

“It’s good to get them in the squad and get them around the senior boys. 

“They might not all play this year but it’s good to get them in there and experiencing it. 

“We believe they are the ones who will be the next crop of 21, 22, 23, 24-year-olds who will make up the side.”

McLaren said the Reid Oval venue meant the squad needed to include pace and versatility.

The squad includes a couple of injured players at present, including Port Fairy recruit Daniel Nicholson (foot).

Warrnambool has the most players in the squad with eight.

The squad trains at Reid Oval next Wednesday night from 6pm.