Hyde, who was last week named in the under-16 side for the three-game championships, made a big statement in the all-Victorian affair at the Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley on Monday afternoon as Country snared a mammoth 15.13 (103) to 8.6 (54) victory over Metro.
The 189cm key position player lined up at centre half-back in the win, thwarting many Metro forays forward by flying at everything that came his way and intercepting at will, often keeping the ball in motion by playing on quickly in what was a supreme showing from the 16-year-old, and one that earned him best-on-ground honours.
The 49-point victory has Hyde and his Country teammates well placed heading into the next lot of games, which will take them up to the Gold Coast next week to play against both South Australia on Tuesday, July 14 at People First Stadium, home of the Gold Coast Suns, before tackling Western Australia on Friday, July 17 at Fankhauser Reserve.
The latest performance only continues what has been an exceptional start to the 2026 season for the Cobram junior, who featured twice at under-16 level for the Murray Bushrangers and earned nods in the best on both occasions, before being called up to the under-18 Bushrangers squad.
As a bottom-aged player, Hyde could hardly have done more to impress, named second-best for the Bushies in his second outing against the Western Jets, before spearheading the Murray sides’ maiden win of the season against the Calder Cannons.
With 20 disposals, 10 marks, seven rebound-50s and plenty more spoils, Hyde was named best-on-ground in what was only his third game at under-18 Talent League level, having a major influence on the contest and going a long way to helping the Bushies across the line.
Hyde is no stranger to performing at state-level championships either, having last year earned All-Australian honours after a scintillating School Sport Australia Championships with Team Victoria in Brisbane, which also saw Hyde and his fellow teammates take out the gold medal.
Hyde won the 2024 under-14s Murray league best-and-fairest with a stunning 48 votes, tying with Mulwala’s Axel Saunders, while he also led the league’s goalkicking that season with 80 majors from 22 games.
