By Jarryd McGuane
The 2016 Vic Metro initial 47-man squad for the Victorian Community Cup against Vic Country on July 10 has been named with eight SFNL players selected in the squad.
Jarryd Allan from St Pauls, Nathan Robinson from East Malvern, Matt Troutbeck from Bentleigh, Geoff Humphreys from Keysborough, Oakleigh District pair Brody Hodic and Patrick Carroll, and Dingley duo Andrew Frost and Chris Horton-Milne were rewarded for their standout performances in the SFNL's interleague victory over Ellinbank & District FL last month.
Allan has been named in the squad for the second year in a row after being selected in the final Vic Metro team in their victory over Queensland last year. The midfielder/forward type with a booming left leg is well known through the SFNL for his inside toughness.
Troutbeck, a VFL-listed player with Richmond, was the leading goal kicker in the win over Ellinbank with five goals. He is tall forward with a high level of agility that gives him time on the field.
Robinson is a tall midfielder that is good inside but with his elite endurance, he is an asset all around the ground. Has been known to be extremely dangerous when he heads forward for a break.
'Joffa' Humphreys is a gutsy inside midfielder who, like Allan, loves to win the hard ball. Don’t be put off by his lack of height, his fearlessness at the contest makes him a danger to midfielders and defenders alike.
The first of the Dingley pair, Frost, is a steady swingman that has terrific hand, allowing him to play as a key tall at each end. Has been a defender for the majority of 2016 and was dominant at full back in the interleague match.
The second Dingoes' representative, Chris Horton-Milne is the speedster of the group and has no trouble finding the ball. Good luck to anyone who tries to tackle this elusive left footer as he makes defenders look silly.
Hodic, the first of the Oakleigh District players, is a beast of a tall defender that dominates the tussles in the defensive 50.
His teammate Carroll is a versatile defender that locks down both tall forwards as well as smalls. But don’t be fooled by his stellar defensive skills, he is extremely clean by foot to start counter attacks.
Carroll won the medal as the SFNL's best player in their interleague victory and provided the highlight of the afternoon with a towering hanger in the last quarter.
SFNL GM Operations, Adam Sparrow, congratulated the players on their inclusion in the squad, adding that their selection was a reflection of the continued improvement of the SFNL's representative program.
"The SFNL would like to congratulate each player selected to join the Vic Metro squad for the upcoming AFL Victoria Community Cup," Sparrow said.
"To have eight players nominated from six SFNL clubs is a great reflection of the individuals and their clubs, along with the SFNL brand. It now provides all players a fantastic opportunity to continue to develop their games whilst training with some of the best players in metropolitan Melbourne.
"This is another positive step forward for our interleague program following the recent win over Ellinbank in the Community Championships.
"We look forward to seeing which players progress through to the final squad."
The squad will be cut to 23 players in the coming weeks with the match’s venue still to be determined.
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Pat Carroll was best afield in Southern's interleague win.[/caption]
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Jarryd Allan was a Vic Metro representative in 2015.[/caption]
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Andrew Frost is equally adept at either end of the ground.[/caption]
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Chris Horton-Milne had the ball on a string in the interleague clash.[/caption]
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Nathan Robinson is a bull in the midfield and can run all day.[/caption]
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Matt Troutbeck booted a game-high five goals against Ellinbank.[/caption]
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Brody Hodic is rarely beaten in defence.[/caption]
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Geoff 'Joffa' Humphreys in full flight.[/caption]
