He will don the Big V jumper for Vic Country at next month’s AFL National Inclusion Carnival, held at the Gold Coast.

Hurricanes coach Damian Thornton lauded Byrne’s effort, as well as that of teammate James Lyons, who is one of four emergencies.

“It’s a great effort to get in the squad,” Thornton said. “Luke is still only young, but his training has been really good and his playing has been really good.

“Luke we play usually in the middle or a half-forward flank; he’s a good goal-scorer. He’s really good at training, too. He really takes a few of the boys and girls under his wing. ‘Casper’ (Lyons), we played him on a half-back flank in the first game and he took mark after mark after mark. He really attacks the loose ball.”

Hamilton Boomers players Kieran Hartwich and Tom Bordy have also made the squad for the carnival, which starts July 24.