Koroit star Sam Dobson has been selected as vice-captain of AFL Victoria Country's senior team set to take on the Victorian Amateur Football Association for the Brian Molony Cup on Saturday.
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The 26-year-old has booted 27 goals in nine games for the Saints in 2019 and finished in the reigning premiers' best five times.
Dobson is the lone Hampden league representative and will be joined by eight players from Goulburn Valley, seven from Geelong, three from Bendigo and three from Ovens and Murray under head coach and former AFL star Danny Frawley.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity considering I wasn't able to play interleague," he said.
"I'm really excited to go up against the best of the best at a local level and I'm proud to represent both Koroit and the Hampden league."
Dobson said he was rapt to get his first senior Victoria Country call-up, but would feel mixed emotions as Koroit hosts South Warrnambool on Saturday.
"I've always wanted to do this but my loyalties are with Koroit," he said.
"So it was a tough position for me, especially since South are a well-drilled side."
Koroit coach Chris McLaren said while Dobson's forward presence would be missed against the Roosters, he always supported his players making themselves available for representative duties.
"We encourage our kids to play (Greater Western Victoria) Rebels and the senior guys to play VFL," he said.
"They obviously miss Koroit games but history shows if you encourage players to reach a higher level, they come home eventually and repay you ten-fold.
"It's a great opportunity for Sam and we're all proud to have him in there."
McLaren said Liam Hoy, James North and Clem Nagorcka would be available for selection against South Warrnambool, while new recruit Lachlan Cairns could earn his senior debut.
The 22-year-old winger joined Koroit from the VAFA's Hampton Rovers, where played in a grand final last year.
"He's moved down to work on a farm between Hawkesdale and Koroit and just fell into our lap," McLaren said.
"We're really keen to have him on board."
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