Victoria Country round up of Goulburn Valley representatives

By Liam Nash

Jul 13, 2023

National stage: Oscar Ryan (far left) and Coby James (third left) after the Allies game. Photo: Murray Bushrangers

It’s been a busy few weeks for Goulburn Valley football prospects donning the coveted colours of Victoria Country.

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Shepparton United’s Riley Onley, the youngest of the local lot, rounded out his run of games in the AFL National Development Championships for Vic Country’s under-16 side recently.

Onley was a shining light for the Big V despite a 1.5 (11) to 12.12 (84) loss to South Australia on July 4, also impressing in a 25-point defeat at the hands of Western Australia three days later.

His leadership as co-captain, as well as his athletic ability as a 195cm midfielder, did not go unnoticed with the 16-year-old receiving big raps in Queensland, named second best against WA according to central.rookieme.com

@baselinefooty RILEY ONLEY IS A BAD MAN!! 😳🤯 #footy #afl #baseline ♬ original sound - Baseline

Onley’s side ended the National Development Championships with a 1-2 record, the one win arriving over Vic Metro by three points on June 10.

For under-18 Vic Country representatives Oscar Ryan and Coby James, the job is not quite finished.

Both were influential down back despite combine side Allies taking the spoils 10.10 (70) to 12.9 (81) on July 9, with the pair lining up against fellow Murray Bushrangers teammates Conor O’Sullivan and Phoenix Gothard.

With Allies taking out the under-18 boys AFL National Championships, pride is on the line for Mooroopna’s James and Shepparton United’s Ryan as they meet Vic Metro at IKON Park this Sunday in the final match.

Lastly, Shepparton Swans talent Holly Egan will have July 30 circled on her calendar as she runs out for Vic Country’s under-18 girls against Queensland in Queensland, later playing against Vic Metro and WA in August.