James Murphy
Junior talent will be showcased over a full-day of representative football this Saturday, as Kongorong hosts the 2022 Limestone Coast Regional Carnival.
The Western Border Under 15 team will compete against rival Mid South Eastern and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara leagues in a fight for the annual bragging rights.
Millicent’s Andrew Nitschke is coaching the side, with Jonathon Lillecrapp assisting.
The squad has a strong representation from all six clubs and Nitschke looks forward to seeing how the team performs against some tough opposition at Interleague level.
“There is definitely a lot of talent out there,” he said.
“It is going to be a really good showpiece for people who want to watch some good kids coming through.
“I am just hoping for the boys’ sake they play well.
“They have trained well, so hopefully they play well on the day.”
Nitschke is no stranger to coaching junior representative football and has done so in both the Western Border and Mid South Eastern leagues.
He said it was not an easy task cutting down the numbers.
“We started with 50-odd kids and have gradually cut back to our final 22 and some emergencies,” he said.
“There are a lot of good kids.”
Surprisingly, among the current squad is a player who has had Senior football experience, as Millicent’s Kobe Gibson has made the list.
He has played three A Grade games for the Saints in between Glenelg duties and will be one to watch throughout the carnival.
With Glenelg scouts present on Saturday, Nitschke said there will be places up for grabs for a playing squad which will compete in the Under 15 Championships in October.
Nitschke is coach of the Under 15 Academy side and said a squad of around 30 players will be chosen from the carnival to train for the team.
That gives the youngsters extra incentive to perform in what should be a high-quality display of the Limestone Coast’s football talent.
The team has its final training run at East Gambier tonight where the team will be finalised ready for Saturday’s carnival.
SQUAD
Jarvi Mee (East), Riley Lawrence (East), Kobe Gibson (Millicent), Jett Werchon (Millicent), Charlie Damhuis (Millicent), William Wilson (Millicent), Ashton Lindner (Millicent), Robbie Case (West), Toby Stutley (West), Koby Stratman (West), Harvey Croker (West), Noah Maxwell (South), Rex Jones (South), Max Whitehead (South), Dean Harten (South), Jacob Salmon (South), Jace Maxwell (South), Brody Fox (South), Harry Hicks (South), Will Attiwill (South), Ben Braithwaite (North), Aaron Dally (North), Gavin Lapatha (North), Intha Phutt (North), Jedd Rhook (Casterton), Josh Jones (Casterton), Bay McKinnon (Casterton), Dylan Munroe (Casterton).
