Interleague: Goulburn Valley unable to consider Michael Hartley for Ovens and Murray clash
Goulburn Valley has taken a hit with a former AFL player ruled out ahead of their interleague clash against Ovens and Murray.
Former Hawthorn and Essendon defender Michael Hartley will be playing in the VFL rather than representing the Goulburn Valley in his last chance to impress before next week’s AFL mid-season draft.
Hartley has been alternating between Collingwood’s VFL side and GV league club Seymour this season after playing five AFL senior matches for Hawthorn in 2020-21 before being delisted.
He has nominated for the mid-season draft next Wednesday.
GV league selectors had also included him in their squad for the interleague match against Ovens and Murray at Mooroopna on Saturday.
But GV coach Paul Newman confirmed yesterday Hartley, who kicked 10 goals for Seymour in a match early in the season, wasn’t available.
The GV has settled on a 24-man squad for the clash which includes strong representation from Echuca and Kyabram.
The O and M is not without its selection headaches with Wangaratta Rovers star Brodie Filo ruled out after being a no-show for his club match last Saturday.
The O and M and GV are renewing a fierce rivalry at Mooroopna in a clash the opposing coaches believe holds the key to the future of interleague football.
The two leagues have met just once since 2010 and were due to play again a decade later before the entire season fell victim to Covid.
Newman played in the last battle between the two leagues for the Ash-Wilson Trophy in 2017 when O and M held on for a seven-point win in a high standard encounter at Wodonga.
Newman and O and M coach Damien Sexton agree clashes between leagues with strong rivalries was the only way representative matches could remain relevant given a multitude of format changes in the last two decades.
“If it is going to survive it is these sort of games that have to be played,” Newman said.
“It’s our job to work it up to the boys so they understand the magnitude of it.
“Hopefully it’s a kick start for future years and we can get it back on track.”
Sexton said the two leagues needed to be commended for attempting to keep a great tradition alive.
“We’re fortunate we’ve got leagues who want to play,” he said.
“Society has got too quick and people want time off.
“Going forward you just want games against arch rivals.
“GV think they are better than us, we think we are better than them.
“At the end of the day, we play and see where we’re both at.”
Newman is back coaching Kyabram this season after leading the club during its legendary run through the late 2010s when it won four GV flags in five seasons with just one loss in the 2018 grand final denying it another premiership.
Newman hoping former AFL player and key forward Michael Hartley will be available.
Newman said he was confident youngsters including Echuca trio Jack Evans, Riley Smith and Jack McHale and Seymour’s Jack Murphy can step up and perform at interleague level.
Sexton coached Yarrawonga in the late 2010s and was previously in charge of the Victorian Country under-19 team.
Former Collingwood player Sam Murray will line up for O and M after enjoying a strong start to the season with Wangaratta Rovers.
Yarrawonga key forward Leigh Williams is coming off a 15 goal haul against North Albury last Saturday.
Another Yarrawonga player, Harry Wheeler represented the GV in the 2017 clash against O and M when he was at Seymour.
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