The 18-year-old, who just finished year 12 at Emmanuel College, made the 2020 squad.

He got to play practice matches before the season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The promising youngster has to try-out again but he's ready for the challenge.

Bermingham was thrilled to return to the track at the Hampden squad's first session of pre-season on Monday.

It provides an opportunity for Rebels' prospects to sharpen and showcase their skills.

"It's good to be able to kick the footys around properly and not just do it with a couple of people," he said.

"You can actually be with a whole group and do drills."

Bermingham was among a group comprised of under 19s, under 17s and two under 16s at the Hampden squad session at Emmanuel College.

The teenager said the group would train two nights a week.

Squad head coach Ben van de Camp explained the training group was different this summer.

He said the south west squad, which was composed of players from Hamilton and Portland, had been scrapped.

So players from those areas were now training with the Warrnambool-based Hampden squad.

Van de Camp also said there were only 35 under 19s spots up for grabs for 2021, compared to 48 spots in 2020.

The NAB League age groups changed this year from under 16s and under 18s to under 17s and under 19s.

Bermingham, a tall midfielder/wingman, kept up his fitness throughout the year but has ramped up training in the past month.

The youngster, who played 10 senior Hampden league matches last year, has been training with the Eagles' seniors in recent weeks.

He explained the Eagles were training three times a week one week and two sessions a week, the next.

The teenager added he had also been taking part in some junior development training under the club's senior coach Adam Dowie.

Bermingham, who played for the Rebels in under 16s, is keen to combine his Hampden squad training with his Eagles' training this summer.

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