Harley Reid presents Archie Watt his debut WAFL guernsey.
West Coast’s WAFL side for its round one season opener against Perth had a sprinkling of Goulburn Valley influence in the form of its two debutants.
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Kyabram flag star Archie Watt and Tongala goalkicker Sam Cipriani had their first taste of State level footy last Friday after they were selected to suit up for the Eagles, both handed their jumpers by AFL Eagle and Tonny product Harley Reid.
While it was far from a fairytale initiation in a 63-point defeat, both Watt and Cipriani had their moments with the former netting 11 disposals and five marks and the latter kicking a goal on debut to go with seven disposals.
Meanwhile, another GV product also found his feet in his start to life in the WAFL.
Reigning Shepparton United best-and-fairest Kade Chalcraft, no stranger to State footy himself after previously playing for Geelong, made his debut for Swan Districts, slotting a goal among his 10 disposals as the Swans fell to a 45-point defeat to reigning premiers South Fremantle.
Sam Cipriani accepts his West Coast jumper from former Tongala teammate Harley Reid.
Back in Victoria, the VFL State squad playing the SANFL in the annual Gather Round clash in South Australia will be gearing up for another showdown at Glenelg.
And among them is a Cobram-aligned star who revels in this match-up.
Louis Pinnuck has again been selected to hopefully represent the Big V, announced in the 43-player squad last week.
Pinnuck was the hero in the 2025 edition with the winning goal and the Frank Johnson Medal for best-on-ground, and the Werribee star will be hoping for a repeat against SA.
In round three’s VFL action, Girgarre and Tatura product Brayden George was influential with a career-best haul of four goals as North Melbourne toppled Carlton by 11 points.
Shepparton United’s Zavier Maher tallied 16 touches in Collingwood convincing 45-point win over Rumbalara talent Levy Tejones’ Coburg.