Bottle Greens coach Joe McLaren said he believed the talent-laden Hampden team was capable of toppling Murray at Reid Oval today.

“One major strength is a lot of these kids have played senior footy — Paddy Anderson has played two years — and that will hold us in good stead when the pressure is on,” McLaren said.

Nine of the 10 Hampden league clubs have representatives in the Bottle Greens’ final 22.

McLaren, who ran four training sessions for the one-off fixture, said picking a final side was challenging, such was the depth at his disposal. 

“All the lads could have played,” he said.

“It was really difficult to pick a team, incredibly hard.

“Personally, having to read the squad of 26 out on Tuesday night and tell 15 kids they’d missed out didn’t sit really well with me but as coach that is part of the job and then last night with the 26 I had to tell four they’d missed out.”

McLaren, who expects some of the teenage Bottle Greens to emerge as senior Hampden league players next year, said it was important to have a showcase under 18½ match. 

“The last 12 months in particular they’ve played against men,” he said of the bulk of his side.

“This is a good opportunity to play against lads their own age and see where they’re at in their development.”

McLaren said the Bottle Greens were a balanced side, blessed with height and pace.

The Koroit veteran expects Hamilton Kangaroos key forward Jayden Watson to play an important role.

“He is a terrific kid. He has the body of a 23 or 24 year old man, he’s really strong,” McLaren said.

“Ryan Smith from Cobden has been terrific too — I didn’t realise how fast he was — and James Willsher from Warrnambool has terrific skills and is a really good mover.

“Aaron Caldow from Portland is six foot six and will play in the ruck.

“I am looking forward to watching him play on kids his own age.”