Gippsland: East versus West under-23 representative match to be played

The best young talent in the Gippsland league will be given a time to shine after interleague talks with other competitions failed.

David Johnston

2 min read

February 16, 2023 - 10:49AM

The Weekly Times

Leongatha premiers and champions in Gippsland FL

The Gippsland league has come up with a representative format it hopes can become the template for a rebirth of interleague football across the state.

After being unable to find another competition to play this year, the Gippsland league will introduce an “East versus West” match for under-23 players from its 10 clubs.

It will be played on May 20 with Bairnsdale, Maffra, Sale, Traralgon and Morwell to make up the “East” team and Moe, Warragul, Leongatha, Wonthaggi and Drouin forming the “West” side.

Morwell’s Tristen Waack takes a mark against Sale last season. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

League president Andrew Livingstone said other leagues such as Bendigo had been sounded out for an interleague game.

But talks broke down before attention swung to the internal option.

“We wanted to play another major league, but we’re a little bit isolated where we are here,” he said.

“We then came up with this concept and think it can be a really good way clubs can get together and engage.

“The league will run it and host it.”

Annual interleague series involving leagues across the state have not returned since Covid wiped out two years of country football.

Leongatha’s Cam Olden gets his kick away despite pressure from another competition young gun from Sale, Cooper Whitehill. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

The Gippsland league is shaping for another bumper season with many clubs active on the recruiting trail.

Mr Livingstone said there was still a place for interleague football, particularly for the league’s up and coming talent.

“It has always been a contentious issue that you can’t put your best side together,” he said.

“Some of your older players have been there, done that.

“It’s why we think an under-23 statewide carnival would work for that very reason.

“It would create a lot of interest.

“If it becomes a grounding from where a few players get picked up then the AFL might help fund it.”

Leongatha coach Trent McMicking after last year’s grand final win over Sale. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Leongatha premiership coach Trent McMicking said he was supportive of the concept.

“Any opportunity a young guy gets to play at a higher level we fully support,” he said.

“We push all our kids to play VFL if they can and we do the same with Gippsland Power.”

Wangaratta’s Joe Richards proved players from country leagues could still be drafted when he got picked up by Collingwood in last year’s national draft at the age of 23.

Joe Richards was drafted by Collingwood from Wangaratta last year. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Morwell’s Tristen Waack, who finished runner-up in the league best and fairest, has been training with VFL club Box Hill over summer and is considered one the competition’s brightest talents.

Mr Livingstone took over as league president in January following the resignation of Brett Tessari, who accepted a job with the neighbouring West Gippsland league.