Connor Rutland included in Cricket Victoria Futures Academy winter training squad

Essendon allrounder Connor Rutland has a chance to push his claim for a state call-up next summer after being invited to train with the state Futures Academy winter squad.

Connor Rutland in action for Essendon. Picture: Hamish Blair

It was the phone call Essendon’s Connor Rutland had been craving.

Victoria Futures League coach Andre Borovec was on the other end, with an invitation to the Cricket Victoria Futures Academy winter squad.

Rutland is one of 16 young guns that will train twice a week at Junction Oval with a place in Victoria’s Futures XI on offer next summer.

The squad includes Victoria rookies Jake Fraser-McGurk and Patrick Rowe and Australia under-19 representatives Mitch Davey, Bailey Moon, Todd Murphy, Will Parker and Yash Pednekar.

Rutland, a Bundoora Cricket Club junior, couldn’t wait to get started.

Connor Rutland in action for Essendon’s First XI. Picture: Hamish Blair

“It’s a great opportunity, something I’ve been striving for the last couple of seasons, so it’s an exciting time,” he said.

“I’ve been through the pathway system starting in the under-12s and all the way through.

“I’ve had a little bit of representative experience but this is that next level.”

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A batting all-rounder, Rutland had a mixed season at Essendon, splitting his time between the First and Second XIs.

He made 92 runs at 18.4 in the top side with a high score of 43.

But improved his output in the seconds, scoring 286 runs at 35.75 with two hundreds.

Connor Rutland in action for the Northern Falcons during the 2017 under-18 state championships.

However, the rising star saw the positives.

“I’d say (this season) mirrored the previous season, which for me was a little frustrating,” he said.

“Starting in the Firsts and not being able to cement that spot for the later half of the season.

“I had some inconsistent performances along with a little bit of luck not going my way because we did have a strong team, making a lot of runs, so it was a tough team to break into.

“In the First XI I was batting seven or eight, our top order was just unbelievable.

“So it was a good opportunity (in the Second XI). I opened the batting most of the time, so maybe it was a blessing in disguise.”

The Futures winter squad will train under Victoria high performance and specialist coaches and focus on skills, strength and conditioning as well as nutrition, sports psychology and performance management.