Local talents get chance to shine as Murray Bushrangers announce under-19 girls pre-season squad

By Zac Standish

Oct 19, 2022

Ready to roll: Shepparton United’s Zahra Kelly forms part of the Murray Bushrangers NAB League girls pre-season training squad. Photo by Megan Fisher

Preparations for the Murray Bushrangers’ 2023 NAB League girls season are well under way, announcing their pre-season training squad on Tuesday afternoon.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Featuring over 80 girls from across the Goulburn Murray, North East Border and Southern NSW regions, the girls will be put through their paces as they aim to make the final squad.

Fresh off winning the Youth Girls Northern Country Women’s League premiership, Shepparton Swans are the most prevalent of the local clubs with seven girls included.

This includes highly-regarded talents such as Payten Johnston, Atong Dang and Charli Hicks, who will be hoping to carve out significant roles at NAB League level this season.

Shepparton United will have four girls undergo the rigorous pre-season training program, headlined by young gun Zahra Kelly.

Echuca United and Moama will each have two girls flying the flag in the Bushies squad, while Seymour, Euroa, Tungamah and Mansfield all have one.

Murray Bushrangers talent lead Mick Wilson said he was looking forward to seeing this group of talented footballers hit the track.

“It’s fantastic to see so many talented young female footballers emerging within our regions,” Wilson said.

“We’ve enjoyed the first uninterrupted football season since 2019 and we’re extremely impressed with the football quality of the girls who trialled.

“We invited more than 80 players into a trial and testing day which measured skill and athletic components specific to AFL.

“Excitingly, many players have demonstrated the necessary talent profiles to potentially progress to the elite AFLW level.”

The Murray Bushrangers’ 2023 season will see the both the girls and boys programs run simultaneously, featuring for the first time ever a double-header NAB League Girls and Boys Grand Final.

Pre-season for the Bushies girls will begin on November 13 in Wangaratta.