Victoria Country is halfway through its under-18 boys’ National Championships campaign.
The side, featuring Echuca’s Cody Walker and Rochester signee Harry Moon, hasn’t put a win on the board yet, going down to Western Australia and South Australia in its opening two matches.
Although wins are any team’s goal, the competition is designed chiefly as a platform for upcoming draft talent to showcase their abilities against top opposition.
One of few bottom agers in the Vic Country squad, Walker has been useful for his team in the first two games.
Starting in the forward pocket against WA, he started his campaign with 10 disposals, two clearances and two tackles in a 12.9 (81) to 11.12 (78) last-minute defeat.
Walker also logged three inside-50s and four score involvements.
Deployed at centre-half forward for his side’s 13.13 (91) to 8.9 (57) loss to SA, Walker posted 12 disposals, four marks, four tackles, a clearance, four inside-50s, three score involvements and an intercept possession.
Moon has averaged eight disposals, two marks and two tackles and four intercept possessions off the interchange bench so far in his campaign.
Vic Country returns to action at IKON Park on Saturday from 12.15pm against Allies, before concluding its competition against Vic Metro at RSEA Park on July 20.