YOUNG Portland footballer Chad Finck has continued his rise through the ranks of country football, being selected to Greater Western Victoria Rebels’ under-16 squad for the upcoming football season.

Finck is no stranger to the Rebels program, having competed in the under-15s V/Line Cup in Shepparton last year, and he said that experience has helped set him on the path towards this most recent selection.

“It was a really good experience for me to have, getting used to playing at that kind of level ahead of this,” Finck said.

“The training in the lead-up to this selection was pretty intense, travelling up to Hamilton twice a week, and we had two practice games… I was only able to play in the first one because I got injured towards the end of it.

“I’m very happy I got picked, I’m sure it’s going to be a good experience for me.”

He said he already felt the knowledge and experience that he had received thus far had translated over to his time with the Portland under-16s.

“I don’t want to compare myself to anyone else, but from my own perspective I’ve seen myself take the next step,” he said.

“I’m getting through trainings easier, my fitness and strength is up, it’s been a real positive.”

As for his plans for the future, Finck hopes to use this selection to build momentum towards his future prospects.

“The next step is obviously under-18s Rebels, and long term I want to make a push to play AFL one day,” he said.

“Obviously there’s a lot of steps in between, but training with the some of the best players in the region, along with the coaching I’ll receive… it’s all going to help.”

The under-16 Rebels play two matches during the season, the first against Bendigo Pioneers at Ballarat on March 25 and the second on April 12 at Bendigo against Dandenong Stingrays.