Kyme Rowe and Rosie Ballard have been named as shadow players in the Australian Masters team bound for next year’s world championships.

It comes after the duo produced standout showings at last week’s national championships – Rowe for the Victorian over 45 side and Ballard for the state’s over 35 outfit.

Rowe, a midfielder, won a gold medal alongside defender Therese Burke and striker Anna Dyson to round out heavy Warrnambool representation in the state’s over 45 outfit.

The trio were key to Victoria’s underdog triumph, which included victories over Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia in the grand final.

Rowe told The Standard the feeling of bringing home a gold medal was still sinking in.

“It was an absolutely awesome feeling when the siren went," she said.

“We knew the work we’d put in behind the scenes and we just trusted the process the coach had put in place for us.

“It was just elation and sheer joy for us to get to that and to overcome it all to get the gold medal.”

She said the prospect of being a shadow player in the Australian squad was “very exciting”.

“They need people waiting in the wings if something happens to the players in the squad,” Rowe said.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be named as a shadow and I hope I get to go out and have a go.” Warrnambool’s Chris Thompson also played in the over 60’s division two team.