Dickson said the emphasis with the Metro squad was very much on representing the state than on a competition that might help players get drafted by AFL clubs later in the year.
He said it might be easy for players to be sidetracked with the presence of the AFL recruiting scouts and AFL coaches in the stand.
“That’s not what we are looking for. We’re looking for players who really want to play for Victoria and represent the state in the best way they can,” Dickson said. “These days, a lot has changed. We don’t have State of Origin any more, but the under-18s is one of the last things where you can represent your state.
“Whether you represent Vic Metro or Vic Country, you are representing your state and you are playing against South Australia and Western Australia and that rivalry still exists.
“We make sure that is portrayed and we are very keen to come up against South Australia in the first match.”
WHAT THE COACH SAYS:“We see ourselves as a hard-working team with a lot of character. We may not play like (Vic Metro) teams of the past, but we have other strengths. I think we will be pretty close to the mark.” – David Dickson.
Player to watch: STEVE GILHAM
“Steve is a very, very special player. Once he develops his body strength, he’s going to be a really top player. He has great hands, he’s quick, has great agility and a great vertical leap. He’s a class act; he’s very exciting.” - David Dickson.
Coach: DAVID DICKSON
Team Manager: PAUL MILO
No NAME CLUB DOB HT WT
1 Stephen Gilham (c) Oakleigh/East Doncaster 2 Sep 84 190 75
2 Robert Cheevers Sandringham/Sth Melb Dist 5 May 84 183 79
3 Paul Johnson Dandenong/Frankston YCW 26 Jun 84 197 94
4 Tom Hooker Oakleigh/Balwyn 11 Jun 84 184 82
5 Ryan Crowley Calder/Gisborne 5 Mar 84 188 80
6 Nick Malceski Eastern/North Ringwood 15 Aug 84 186 72
7 Jay Cheep Calder/Sunbury 6 Aug 84 176 66
10 Jobe Watson Sandringham/Xavier 8 Feb 85 189 86
11 Blake Grima (vc) Eastern/East Burwood 8 Jun 84 179 77
12 Brayden Shaw Northern/St. Mary's 16 Sep 85 180 80
14 Stephen Dinnell Eastern/Sth Croydon 1 Mar 84 165 71
15 Ricky Dyson Northern/Epping 28 Sep 85 181 70
16 Steven Salopek Dandenong/Narre Warren 21 Jun 85 183 79
17 Callum Urch Western/Spotswood 21 Jul 84 182 79
18 Tim Walsh Northern/Ivanhoe 14 May 85 194 81
19 Daniel Sipthorp Calder/Woodend 26 Aug 84 187 80
20 Michael Stinear (vc) Dandenong/Beaconsfield 8 Aug 84 179 75
21 Ryan Brown Dandenong/Doveton 11 Feb 84 191 89
22 Cameron Croad Oakleigh/Vermont 17 Jan 84 187 85
23 Abe Williams Northern/Macleod 28 Feb 84 176 80
24 Darren Walsh Sandringham/Dingley 27 Dec 84 182 71
27 Joel Perry Eastern/Upper FTG 18 Jun 85 191 79
28 Kade Simpson Eastern/Emerald 15 Nov 84 180 64
29 Jarrod Fearon-Brown Eastern/East Burwood 23 May 84 189 77
30 Cameron Cloke Eastern/Park Orchards 20 Dec 84 194 89
