Preparations for next week’s V/Line Cup are nearly complete, with the girls and boys Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy (WB NGA) teams being presented with their playing jumpers on Wednesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ararat Storm players Isabella Simmons, Renee Saulitis and Nekaela Butler as well as Stawell Warrior Crystal Summers were selected for the 24 girl squad to travel to Gippsland next week.
The final girls squad had their final training session at North Park on Wednesday night, with the side having been selected following a trial game on Sunday.
The girls will leave for Morwell on Tuesday morning ahead of their first game against North East Border on Tuesday afternoon.
The boys team had their presentation at Central Park also on Wednesday night, but the side will undergo a much different preparation.
The two-team group of players will leave from Ballarat on Monday morning and stop in at Whitten Oval for a tour before moving on to Moe for their first game on Tuesday.
Ararat’s Matt Spalding has been selected into the WB NGA one team, while brother Luke and Swifts’ Sam Chatfield will play in the WB NGA two team.
WB NGA boys team manager Jason Muldoon said there is a great amount of anticipation among the group.
“Aligning with the Bulldogs this year is a massive change to previous years,” he said.
“It has generated a lot of excitement among the players, staff and recruiters in the region.”
Muldoon said he has been impressed by the quality of football he has seen.
“Some of the ball movement and decision making are of a very high standard,” he said.
“There will be opportunities for all the boys to experience various roles and learn new things.”
Muldoon said the success of the new process of working with the Bulldogs won’t be seen for a few years time.
“Ultimately the success or failure of this program isn’t seen till later down the track,” he said. “We think we have picked the best players in the region.”
All three WB NGA teams will play two games throughout the week.
The girls team will play North East Border at Morwell from 3pm on Tuesday, September 26 and then take on the Yarra Ranges in two days time at Moe from 10 am on Thursday, September 28.
Both boys teams will play North East Border on Tuesday, September 26 with the division two game kicking off at 3pm and the division one game starting at 5pm.
They will also have a day off before playing their second games at Moe on Thursday, September 28.
The division two side will play Yarra Ranges at 12pm before the division one side plays Peninsula at 2pm.
