FOOTBALL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

JUST two days onward from this year’s Gippsland League grand final, junior footballers from across the state will gather for the return of the V/Line Cup to the Latrobe Valley.

Previously held in the region from 2015 to 2018, the premier representative football competition for under 15 boys and girls has seen plenty of future AFL and AFLW prospects come through the ranks, especially those donning the Gippsland Power jumper.

The V/Line Cup was announced to be held in the Latrobe Valley for 2026 and 2027.

During the week, more than 600 players will take to Traralgon Recreation Reserve, Morwell Recreation Reserve, and Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe, which have all undergone significant refurbishments and redevelopments in recent years.

Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan acknowledged the V/Line cup as a highlight on the state’s football calendar, and was excited to see it return to the Latrobe Valley.

“It enables us to take it around the state and give different communities the opportunity to benefit from it,” he told the Express.

“This will be the precursor for these boys and girls to hopefully start a career in the elite (game), and if not, they’re identified as talent, and they’ll go back to their community clubs … and play and have great careers there.”

Over the course of the four-year period when the V/Line Cup was last held here, it resulted in a economic boost of $9 million for the local community.

As such, Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson was elated upon the announcement of its return.

“We’re thrilled to welcome players, families and supporters to Latrobe City for the V/Line Cup in 2026 and 2027,” she said.

“We are sure you will have the best time down here and cannot wait to come back.

“Our excellent sporting facilities will provide the young players a platform where their hard work, passion and potential will truly shine.”

Beginning in 1949, this is now the 77th year of the V/Line Cup, which on this occasion will see six different regions take to the field.

The Murray Bushrangers, Bendigo Pioneers, Geelong Falcons, Dandenong Stingrays and Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels will all travel down into Gippsland Power territory.

This year’s tournament will see a reduced number of teams, as the Goulburn Murry and North East Border football regions have combined to compete under the Murray Bushrangers banner.

This means that all six teams will have direct affiliation to AFL Talent League clubs, which will see many players trial to represent them in the coming years.

Each team will play two games, with a total of 18 matches played across three days.

Three teams will represent Gippsland, with Morwell senior coach Shaun Mooney (Div 1 Boys), Dale Paterson (Div 2 Boys), and Emily Gibson (Div 1 Girls) leading the way.

In 2015, current Essendon player and Foster’s Xavier Duursma kicked a goal after siren in Power’s first match to defeat Peninsula Stingrays, with Xavier’s father, Dean Duursma coaching.

Dean received life membership at Gippsland Power last year.

In the 2017 and 2018 editions of the V/Line Cup, the Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy took part, which included future top draft selection and current Gold Coast forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

The V/Line Cup return to the region reaffirms the junior football pathways that are back up and running, and will continue to evolve.

Madigan stated that, across the board, participation numbers have bounced back after the pandemic, and expects them to grow once again this year.

“We see that base growing, and from that base, we find talent, (and) talent then plays in the elite game, and then the cycle continues again,” he added.

“I think football’s in a really positive state, notwithstanding, they’ll be pockets of work that we still need to (work on).”

The AFL Victoria boss and Hawthorn premiership player commended the work of AFL Gippsland, especially in regards to its handling of junior and senior women’s football in the region.

The V/Line Cup will take place from September 21 to September 23.