The GVFL recently released an initial 36 player senior inter-league squad for the VCFL Pool A Country Championships to be held in Shepparton from 30 May – 1 June 2008.

Before announcing the squad senior coach Tony Tranter, and co-selectors Steven Ash and Mark Simsen, contacted prospective players individually to gain a commitment to the GVFL and to the VCFL Championships.

The GVFL has been VCFL Champions in 1956, 1978, 1894, 1994 and 2005 and is the only major football league in regional Victoria not to have been relegated to the lesser grades.

The squad is as follows : -

Benalla : Michael Stevens, Rohan Priest

Echuca : Guy Campbell, Colin Durie, Adrian Dohnt

Euroa : Relton Roberts, Rowan Bonson

Kyabram : Paul Newman, Chris Atkins, Matt Deledio, Josh Vick

Mansfield : Matt Storer, Craig Flint, Ben Fagan, Dan Roy

Mooroopna : Blake Campbell, Robert Osborne, Steven Cox, Nathan Tweddle

Rochester : Brad Collins, Elliott Bowen, Ashley Watson, Ben Deuscher, Sam O’Brien

Seymour : Tim Hooper, Shane Schottner, Paul Scanlon, Saad Saad

Shepparton : Nick Allan, Mark Harrap, Matt Chapman

Shepparton Swans : Lucas White, Matt Hebbard

Shepparton United : Tyson Sidebottom

Tatura : Alex Isailovic, Andrew Crawford

The VCFL Pool A Championships will be held at Deakin Reserve in Shepparton on the weekend commencing Friday May 30 with games at the following times:

Friday 30 May – 6.30 pm under lights v Ballarat

Saturday 31 May – 2.30 pm v Ovens & Murray

Sunday 1 June – 11.30 am v Hampden

The games are 2 x 20 minute halves plus time on, and, according to senior coach Tranter, “the effectiveness of good starts, recovery and player management of the final 28 player squad will be critical.”

Keith Wellman, General Manager