Nine Saints were named on the Bottle Greens’ initial 48-player list for the upcoming AFL Victoria championships battle against Bendigo on May 19 at Reid Oval.

Premiership stars Tim McIntyre, Liam Hoy, Taylor Mulraney, Brett Harrington, Jarrod Korewha, Jeremy Hausler, Dallas Mooney, Tim McPherson and Levi Nagorcka will push to represent Koroit in the showcase game.

Koroit coach Chris McLaren said the impressive selection number was a reflection of the Saints’ ongoing success.

He said it was most pleasing to see Korewha, who was considered an AFL draft chance two years ago, unheralded defender McPherson and injury-prone Nagorcka make the list.

“Jarrod’s kicked 12 goals in three games and he is going to keep getting better – he’s just turned 20,” he said.

“Tim is not underrated at our club. He might have only had single-figure goals kicked on him last year and Levi’s just got better and better with each game he’s played.”

Port Fairy and South Warrnambool each had six players picked.

Seagulls coach Dan Nicholson, Matt Sully, Sandy Robinson, Kaine Mercovich, Dylan Gunning and Colin Harwood made the cut, as did Roosters’ James Hussey, Josh Saunders, Shannon Beks, Harry Lee, Nick Thompson and Manny Sandow.

Camperdown (Riley Arnold, Cam Spence, Fraser Lucas, Luke Mahony and Jack Williams), Terang Mortlake (Stephen Staunton, Jordie McKenzie, Alex Moloney, Ryan O’Connor and Jess Budarick) and Warrnambool (Sam Cowling, Jackson Bell, Darcy Graham, Luke Cody and Dan Weymouth) all had five selections.

Tom Sharp, Jay Moody, Aaron Shepherd and Daniel Jackson were picked following Portland’s impressive start.

Jesse Williamson, Paul Hinkley and Chris Paatsch (Cobden), Tom Batten, Jarryd Lewis and Dylan Parish (North Warrnambool Eagles) and Hamilton Kangaroos duo Jandre Slabbert and Tyrone Ross rounded out the squad.