Local talents impress as AFL under-18 national championships begin

By Jesse Robertson-Torres and Liam Nash

Jun 11, 2024

Shepparton United junior Riley Onley was among the local contingent fronting up for Vic Country at the weekend. Photo by Liam Nash

If you’ve looked at the start of the AFL under-18 boys’ national championships, you know there’s no shortage of Goulburn Valley flavour.

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The Allies were first off the rank, with Moama’s Jobe Shanahan taking flight as part of the composite representative side.

It was Victoria Country’s turn on Sunday at Carlton’s IKON Park, though, where a double-header had the regional boys matched up with favourite South Australia.

Shepparton standout Jack Whitlock certainly didn’t hurt his prospects with a great display of physicality in a role playing slightly up the ground.

The Bears and Bushrangers key forward notched 10 contested possessions as part of his 16 touches, occasionally taking on the odd ruck contest and finishing with a goal to cap things off.

Less than two minutes into the final term, Whitlock took a leaping, contested grab inside 50 that exhibited every inch of his athleticism.

He got up, steadied, and kicked truly from 20m out on a slight angle to shoot Vic Country to a 21-point lead.

Twin brother Matt was, as you might expect, right there alongside Jack with 16 disposals of his own as they also produced four marks and two tackles each.

Many more of Goulburn Valley’s rising stars had their say, too.

Shepparton Swans product Oliver Warburton matched the Whitlocks’ output with the footy, also chalking up a respectable 16 disposals, but at an impressive efficiency of 93.8 per cent.

Riley Onley, Shepparton United’s young gem, had a fine day out as he finished with 17 touches, three inside 50s and four score involvements.

It’s a nod to the teenage tall’s talent, given Sunday’s match was only his fourth official game for 2024.

Benalla-born small forward Joe Berry was Vic Country’s equal most prolific on the day with three goals and eight score involvements, while Euroa’s Cohen Paul chimed in with six disposals.

The day prior, a pair of GV whizzes set up the Country double at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

Tanner Armstrong (Shepparton United) and Cody Walker (Echuca) lifted Victoria Country to a 9.17 (71) to 7.7 (49) triumph over Victoria Metro in the under-16 national championships clash.

Walker dominated his city counterparts, racking up 28 disposals, seven inside 50s and two goals in a performance that’ll have him marked in the scouts’ books for the future.

The pair will have to wait until July 9 for its next hit-out, coming up against Western Australia, while Victoria Country’s under-18s next feature on June 29, also against the Black Swans.