FIVE local footballers from the Hamilton Kangaroos have been selected to in the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels V-Line Cup squads with the opportunity to showcase their talent at a number of training sessions and the carnival in a couple months’ time.
Jack Sobey, Ryley Munro, Hunter Van Someren and Frank Gill were picked in the Under-15 Boys squad while bottom-ager, Ruby Cleaver was also recognised for her strong performances this season.
The GWV Rebels squads were announced recently and will take part in three training sessions in Stawell in the lead up to carnival to be played in Shepparton on September 25-26.
Cleaver is just 13 years of age and has dominated the Western Victoria Female Football League (WVFFL) Under-18 competition since starting this season.
The young talent is a natural as she has only played 10 career games of footy , where she has been named in the best nine times and it’s no surprise she’s been recognised for her outstanding form.
While the side went winless this season, the emergence of Cleaver as one of the club’s most exciting young players was a shining light.
Cleaver said she was excited to be selected in the squad but nervous with not a lot of experience compared to some of the other players.
“I’m a little bit surprised but pretty happy, this season I’ve only started playing and love it, I do other sports as well but footy is pretty exciting,” she said.
Some of her main strengths included her versatility and her height which make it hard for other players to match up on her all over the ground.
“I’ve been playing in the ruck pretty much … I’m pretty fast, can run and have good stamina, I’m tall obviously and can jump,” she said.
“Ruby is a breath of fresh air around the team,” Cleaver’s coach, Fraser Robinson said.
“As you know, she has only played a handful of games this year and has excelled in the ruck and other positions around the ground.
“She will excel at a higher level.”
All four boys represent the Hamilton Kangaroos in the Under-16 competition and have been big reasons as to why the side is sitting in third spot on the ladder.
The blue and white has a season record of 12-2 with the likes of Sobey, Munro, Van Someren and Gill linking up all over the ground.
The two sides above include Koroit and South Warrnambool, but they lead by just percentage and with all three sides on the same points, the Kangaroos have a real shot at the flag.
Under-16s coach, Damian Van Someren said the selections were a good reward for all the hard work the boys had put in this season, on and off the field.
“It’s very pleasing from the club’s perspective to have four boys and a girl get through, it’s probably up there with your Koroit and North Warrnambool sides to get so many in there,” he said.
“They are well deserved after the year they’ve had and last year as well, they’ve all played a role and put the hard work in to get us where we are … it’s a great achievement.”
Sobey is a half-back flanker and has had a strong year restricting all the forwards that he has come up against to help his side rebound well from the defensive 50.
His marks are a focal point along with his footy IQ which helps him to understand the game well and know where to be.
“My strengths are probably my overhead mark and reading the play … it’ll be good to see where the Hamilton boys sit and meet some new people,” Sobey said.
Van Someren formally played at Harrow-Balmoral and has been a strong contributor since making the move to the Hamilton Kangaroos at the start of the 2022 season.
He is a hard-at-it midfielder who won’t shy away from the contest, he prides himself on his ball-winning ability in the engine room and was looking forward to representing the Roos.
“We’ve all put a lot of work into it and feel pretty thrilled to make it … I like it really tough and enjoy the wet (weather),” he said.
Van Someren has been among his side’s best players frequently this season while hitting the scoreboard with five goals.
Munro has been played in a couple different roles this season spending time in the midfield and forward line, he is a small crafty player who can find plenty of space.
The 15-year-old has faced some injury troubles this year playing just seven games but is a dangerous option in the forward line – Munro kicked 25 goals last season.
“It’s good to be taking my footy to the next level and testing my abilities … it was a bit of a surprise (especially) with the reoccurring injury I’ve had,” he said.
Frank Gill, also 15 years old, is a taller player and has been vital to the Kangaroos side in (position)
“I’m very excited to see how we go against everyone else,” Gill said.
“I’m normally a forward/ruck and enjoy playing as a forward.
A host of the Western Region's best up-and-coming football talent will feature in this year's V/Line Cup carnival.
GWV Rebels boys and girls Under-15 squads were announced ahead of the two-day carnival in Shepparton from September 25-26.
Players will participate in three training sessions at Stawell in the lead up (September 4, 11 and 18). Squad members were selected from the Goldfields, Western Districts and Wimmera Mallee regions.
GWV Rebels Boys Squad:Leo Ellerton, Sam Conboy, Mason Osbourne (South Warrnambool), Archie Poumako (Warrnambool), Mack Mills, Zane Boekhurt, Hamish Dobson, Jye Quirk (Koroit), Max Clancey (Port Fairy), Kane Killen, Josh Slater, Charlie Kenna, Max Heffernan (Terang Mortlake), Lenny Stephens (Camperdown), Eddie Walsh (Cobden), Jack Sobey, Rylie Munro, Hunter Van Someren, Frank Gill (Hamilton Kangaroos), Klay Nicholls, Jake Payne (Portland), Hamish Molan (Kolora-Noorat).
GWV Rebels Girls Squad: Lottie McCosh, Ruby Walters-McCosker (South Warrnambool FNC), Hannah McMeel (North Warrnambool Eagles FNC), Tayla Bell (Terang Mortlake FNC), Skyla Ralph, Airlie Aldridge, Lidia Thomas (Portland FNC), Ruby Cleaver (Hamilton Kangaroos FNC).
