After more than 140 players from the Wimmera, Ballarat, South West Warrnambool and Hampden regions had started the trials the squad has been narrowed down to just 44

AFL Wimmera-Mallee development manager Jason Muldoon said the group of players selected from the Wimmera is exciting.

“We know what we can expect from our four top-age players and it will be a challenging year for those guys to step up,” he said.

“The exciting thing for me it the younger group coming through.”

Both Thomas Berry and Angus Gove were selected as bottom age players from the Horsham Saints footballers

Muldoon said Gove’s experience of playing senior football in a premiership winnings Saints team is very useful

“I’m looking forward to see how he goes,” he said.

They are joined by Horsham players Matty Lloyd and the top-aged Louis Beddison.

Jackson Taurau and Naish McRoberts will both represent the Stawell Warriors in the squad. Taurau is a top-age player and McRoberts is playing as an over age player due to his late birthday.

“Naish had a fantastic season last year and was a little unlucky not to be offered a rookie contract,” Muldoon said.

“He definitely has the potential to make an AFL squad and he’ll get another chance to impress this season as an over-age player.”

He said Taurau will also be better for the experience he gained last year in the squad.

“There will be a bit more expected of him this season,” he said.

“He needs to be more of a leader in the squad.”

Ararat’s Paddy Turner is in the squad for the first time as a top age player and fellow Rat Jack Antonio also joins him.

Muldoon said Turner’s jump into the squad without playing as a bottom age player comes on the back of playing senior footy in Ararat last season.

“He’s also done a lot of athletics and he’s become elite in that category,” he said.

“Antonio just goes really hard at the ball. His willingness to just attack the ball is great.”

Charlie Wilson will fly the flag for the Warrack Eagles.

“”He’s a beauty,” Muldoon said.

“He played senior footy with Warrack last year and his finishing around goals is first class.

“He well and truly deserves his spot on the list this year.”

Two players on the list carry a little bit more expectation because of their family name.

Thomas Berry and Matty Lloyd have both watched their older brother achieve a lot in football.

Muldoon said that should not affect each of them to much because they are different types of players.

“Tom is a different player to Jarrod, he is much more likely to stand on your head and do something special whereas Jarrod is more workmanlike,” he said.

“Matty is is going to be much taller than Billy and Jake, if he’s not already.

“He has a versatility about him that gives him lots of advantages.”

The players have been regularly training two or three times a week to get to this point and will now get opportunities to represent the Rebels in the TAC Cup in front of potential AFL recruiters.