BENDIGO Pioneers clubmates Oliver Wines, Sam Heavyside and Jake Stringer have earned selection in Victoria Country’s squad for the AFL national under-18 championships.
A squad of 40 was named after the weekend’s training run and scratch match against Victoria Metro at Carlton’s Visy Park.
The Pioneers captain, Wines was runner-up for the club champion award in 2011.
The Echuca-based onballer has continued his outstanding form in this year’s TAC Cup under-18s competition.
Wines had a delayed start to the TAC Cup action as he and Stringer were on the AIS-AFL Academy tour of Europe.
Stringer’s athleticism and versatility is a huge plus for the Victoria Country squad.
At 191cm and 91kg, Stringer is able to play in a key position, but can also be switched to a midfield role.
A broken leg in the opening round of the TAC Cup competition in 2011 ended Stringer’s season.
He marked his comeback to the Pioneers by kicking nine goals in their win against Northern Knigths at Preston.
A young gun from the Strathfieldsaye Storm, Heavyside won the Neville Strauch medal as Pioneers club champion in 2011.
The hardworking rover has continued to rack up many possessions and set up attacks for the David Newett-coached Pioneers in this season’s TAC Cup action.
The Mark Ellis-coached Victoria Country kicks off the national under-18s campaign against NSW-ACT at Blacktown on June 2.
