GWS names O&M stars in line for VFL call ups

GWS has taken the next step in establishing its Albury hub with the announcement of players in line for VFL selection. See who’s in contention.

Ovens & Murray could further cement itself as one of the state’s premier country football leagues with the presence of Greater Western Sydney in the region being an extra recruiting tool for clubs.

GWS this week announced six players who will train once a week in Albury with the prospect of being called up to play at VFL level for the Giants.

The arrangement, struck in the off-season, allows players to live and work locally and still have the chance to follow in the footsteps of former O&M players Riley Bice and Aidan Johnson, who starred for VFL premiers Werribee last year and were drafted last November.

Wangaratta Rovers star Jace McQuade playing against Myrtleford. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Brendan Rhodes, who has covered the VFL scene since 2017 both on radio and online for vfl.com.au, said the deal could be a “win-win” for all parties and potentially copied by other regions throughout Victoria.

“What GWS is doing in Albury can work,” he said.

“The players identified by the Giants can test themselves at state league level without having to uproot their lives and move to the city.

POLL: Has the @GWSGIANTS/@omfnl Albury hub move got the potential to be copied across country Victoria? @theweeklytimes@ctryfootyscores

— David Johnston (@david_johnston5) February 20, 2025

“It would be a huge gamble and cost to relocate to Sydney to play for an AFL reserves team without any guarantees of how many games you will actually play.

“Werribee, in particular, has proven how much talent is in not only the O&M and wider regions with the players drafted to AFL clubs right up to this week with Jack Henderson, who is from Blighty, taken by Melbourne.

The GIANTS are excited to announce six more new additions to their @VFL side for 2025 🍊

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) February 19, 2025

“The win-win for O&M clubs is an extra selling point to a recruit they are chasing.”

The O&M’s previous experience of having a direct link to a VFL club was a short-lived flop.

The Murray Kangaroos were formed in 2000 when the VFL reserves folded and North Melbourne topped up with O&M players.

Matches were played at Lavington, but the arrangement collapsed at the end of 2002 due to costs and push back from O&M clubs, which lost access to players.

Greater Western Sydneys list manager Adrian Caruso. Pic: Michael Klein

The six players selected by GWS from the O&M are Yarrawonga duo Ben Coghill and Nick Irvine, Corowa-Rutherglen recruits Jaiden Butson and Liam McCarthy, Wangaratta Rovers’ Jace McQuade and Wodonga’s Noah Bradshaw.

Perry Lewis-Smith, who starred for Yarrawonga last year, has also joined GWS.

“We started this initiative to create opportunities for players with potential to play at VFL level and it is great to help give these guys an opportunity to push to play at a higher level without having to leave the region,” Giants head of talent Adrian Caruso said.

“This venture is an incredible opportunity for these players and also for the Albury community.”