Sport

Goulburn Valley footballers tear it up over Easter for Victoria Country and Victorian Diversity All Stars

By Liam Nash

Apr 20, 2025

Highly-touted Shepparton talent Lincoln Brand suited up for Victoria Country’s under-16s against Victoria Metro on Thursday. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

While the Easter break was about relaxing in an egg-laden haze for most, Goulburn Valley’s rising football prospects got the chocolates in an entirely different context.

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Late last week shaped as a chance for Victoria’s top talents to go toe-to-toe in state scratch matches, starting with Victoria Country versus Victoria Metro at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Thursday.

In the under-16s, Shepparton duo Lincoln Brand and Alex Whitlock teamed up with Shepparton United’s Lucas O’Hora to throw on the Big V.

A day later, a Vic Country under-18 outfit featuring Tanner Armstrong (Shepparton United/Rumbalara), Harry Moon (Numurkah) and Jack Marks (Mansfield) as well as Echuca pair Cody Walker and Tom Evans lost to Vic Metro 12.18 (90) to 9.10 (64) at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval.

Walker, who featured four times for Echuca’s senior side in 2024, starred during the loss and kicked a goal.

All who played were pushing their case for selection in the final Vic Country squads that will compete at the AFL National Development Championships to be held throughout June and July.

If Thursday and Friday’s scratch matches were a chance for selectors to take a harder look at already-identified talent, Wednesday’s spectacle was for uncovering rough diamonds.

A throng of GV products took part in the 2025 Victorian Diversity All Stars matches at Dandenong’s Shepley Oval, featuring emerging Indigenous and multicultural footballers.

In a similar Country-Metro stoush, the former side boasted Shepparton United’s Tabatha Ingham and Ashanti Walker, Barooga’s Nakiyah Fraser and Moama’s Shaleah Cooper.

Meanwhile, Alex Krause (Cobram) Clinton Edwards (Shepparton United) and Jamaron Atkinson (Rumbalara) ran out against a Vic Metro opposition featuring Seymour’s Sam Gregory.

Wednesday’s exhibition games were framed as an opportunity for those not currently listed by a Coates Talent League team to experience a talent pathways program and showcase their ability against their peers.