Essendon VFL player James Ferry has been selected in the State squad for the second year in a row, but this year he’ll have some familiar faces alongside him.
The defender missed his opportunity in 2016 after suffering a knee injury in the lead up to the match.
Former Captain Daniel Coghlan was left to fly the flag for the Club, but this year there are five Bombers in the frame,
Nick O’Brien, Nick Hind and Alex Boyse were all selected alongside Ferry, while Nash Holmes has been named in the development squad.
“It’s really good to see a number of the boys get on the list. It’s nice for us to be acknowledged in that way,” Ferry said.
“Last year was a bit upsetting because I hurt my knee a week before the game. It was unfortunate that I wasn’t able to play.
“I’m very humble to be able to be selected in the squad again.”
Ferry has made a bright start to the season averaging five marks and three tackles over four rounds.
He was one of the Bombers best against Port Melbourne, finishing with 23 disposals and 10 marks.
The representative game gives the top VFL players the opportunity to showcase their skills and push for higher honours.
“It’s great for the competition to come together,” Ferry said.
“Being on a VFL list there are only a few of us that get selected each week so it’s nice to play with guys who aren’t doing it as a full time job.
“We are all day-to-day workers and pretty much weekend warriors. It’s nice to get some guys together and play against some of the other guys across Australia that are the best in their league.”
Ferry combines football with a job as an Account Manager for the Victorian region at Flexible Drive.
On the field, an injury free run and team success are what he covets.
“I want to be able to put a solid and consistent full season together. I want to play every game and be consistent,” Ferry said.
“I think that’s one thing that hasn’t happened over the last few years with injuries coming in or something else, so just getting some consistency on the field and making sure that I do my role for the team.
“Hopefully we can have some team success and if some individual success comes from that and you end up on a list somewhere, that’s great as well.”
