By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
FOUR of the WRFL’s most talented prospects have been selected in the final Vic Metro Under-16 team.
Werribee Districts young gun Lachlan Rzanovski, Spotswood star Ethan Bentley, Altona Juniors youngster Emerson Jeka, and talented St Bernard’s junior Jeremy O’Sullivan have been picked to represent Vic Metro in the upcoming National Championships.
O’Sullivan said it is a huge honour to be named in the team after the many weeks training with the squad.
“This is made a lot more special when considering the many other talented players who undertook the same trialling process and did not make it,” he said.
“My aim is to represent the state, to the best of my ability.
“I hope to learn as much as I can from the experience, the amazing coaches and learn from playing against the elite Under-16 opposition.
“Most of all I hope this will result in team success.”
Rzanovski, who has played five games for the Tigers’ Under-17 team this year, said he was also honoured to be named in the team.
“There were 55 boys in the initial training squad and it was cut down to the final team of 25 boys,” he said.
“It is such an honour to have been selected to represent the Victoria. When I found out I was in the final team it’s the best feeling I have ever had.”
Rzanovski, a defender, said his aim for the championships was to play his role for the team and to stop as many scoring opportunities as he could.
“Hopefully we can pick up a few wins for Victoria along the way,” he said.
Jeka, a rising star for the Altona Juniors, has continued his impressive form from last year, this year.
After kicking 59 goals in 2016 and being selected as an All-Australian at last year’s School Sports Australia championships, Jeka is as determined as ever to make an impression during the championships.
“Making the Vic Metro team has been a goal for me since last year, so to be a part of the team and to play with other talented boys means so much to me, I’m very proud,” he said.
“I am determined to play well in the championships and contribute to the team.
“I really want to make the All-Australian team and make the Level 1, AIS AFL Academy.”
Bentley, who won the Under-15B Best and Fairest last season, said he was looking forward pulling on the Big V jumper.
“I feel very honoured and happy to have been chosen to represent Victoria in the Metro team,” he said.
“It will be a good experience to play at such a high level with familiar faces alongside me.”
Despite being at different clubs, the talented quartet have played together previously. All four players were picked in the School Sport Victoria Under-15 team last year.
Rzanovski, Jeka and Bentley are also involved in the Western Jets’ Brad Johnson squad. O’Sullivan is aligned with the Calder Cannons.
Vic Meteo’s first game of the 2017 Under-16 National Championships will be on June 24 against Vic Country at Punt Road Oval. The game starts at 2.30pm.
In Round 2, Vic Metro will play South Australia at Metricon Stadium on July 10 before taking on Western Australia at the Gabba on July 14.
Last Modified on 15/06/2017 12:35