Western Victoria's most talented up and coming footballers took to Ararat's Alexandra Oval for Western Bulldog Next Generation Academy trial games on Wednesday.
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Players representing regions including the Wimmera, South West and Ballarat competed on Wednesday, vying for selection in the academy's V/Line Cup squad.
For the first time ever, under-14 teams had the opportunity to compete. The under-14 program ends there but gave players a taste of things to come in future years.
"It was a really great experience for those kids. They performed really well in an environment they wouldn't be used to. It was pretty high intensity," AFL Wimmera-Mallee regional development manager Jason Muldoon said.
"We were very happy with our preparation. Shayne Breuer did a great job getting them ready.
READ MORE: Full Wimmera academy squads
"In the end the team probably had a good win but there wasn't so much of a focus on the scoreboard, more on how they played."
Both Wimmera under-14 and under-15 teams took on South West sides on Wednesday.
"The under-15s were also really well prepared," Muldoon said.
"They started their game well and we are really happy with our first hitout."
Under-15 and under-16 girls teams also competed on Wednesday.
The under-15 boys and both girls teams will take to Alexandra Oval once again next Wednesday.
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