AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL
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RIVERINA'S elite Australian football talent will be spread across the country this weekend as they continue to be exposed to the highest level.
Nine Riverina teenagers will leave club football for the chance to better themselves at a higher level.
It started with Wagga Tigers' youngster Jackson Kelly on Friday afternoon when he stepped out for Sydney Swans' reserve grade at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
At Blacktown Stadium on Saturday, Tigers' Campbell Lovell and Coolamon's Mitch McKelvie have been rewarded for their form at senior level in the Riverina Football League by being picked for Greater Western Sydney's reserve grade team.
The Giants reserves play Sydney Hills Eagles.
Another six bright prospects will line up for NSW-ACT Rams in its final game of the TAC Cup season against Gippsland Power at Morwell on Sunday.
Mick Mattingly, Jock Cornell, Charlie Bance, Matt Flynn, Harry Himmelberg and Jack Irvine will line up for the Rams.
NSW-ACT assistant coach Matt Hard said the amount of opportunities provided to Riverina talent in the current day is wonderful.
"It's awesome for the kids around our area," Hard said.
"That sort of exposure is great for the region.
"It's great exposure for the kids but also a good opportunity for them to learn a hell of a lot.
"It's definitely beneficial for their football."
GWS academy coach Christin Macri has watched several Riverina footballers grab the opportunity to play with the Giants' reserves each week through his role as the team's bench coach.
Macri sees how much the opportunity benefits their football.
"Just being around that environment for a week helps them," Macri said.
"Not so much in watching how other players go about their footy but there is really rigid structures, in terms of what needs to be adhered to, so it's great for them in that regard to see what's involved."
Meantime, Wagga youngster Connor Byrne has been picked to play for Murray Bushrangers in its TAC Cup game against Calder Cannons on Saturday.
Byrne, 16, recently starred as captain for NSW-ACT at the under 16 national championships.
Byrne joins fellow Wagga products Dougal Howard and Jim Carroll in the Bushrangers' line-up.
Riverina represents
Riverina teenagers in representative action this weekend
GWS: Mitch McKelvie, Campbell Lovell
NSW-ACT Rams: Mick Mattingly, Jock Cornell, Charlie Bance, Matt Flynn, Harry Himmelberg, Jack Irvine
Sydney Swans: Jackson Kelly