After being overlooked in the 2011 National draft, Bendigo’s Ben Duscher has only moved forward by continuing to impress on and off the field. Being elected captain by his peers in 2013 and again in 2014, Duscher shows that he not only possesses football talent but also leadership skills.
Ben has previously played in the ‘Young Guns’ Match in 2011 and was selected in the VFL squad in 2012 but unfortunately was not chosen in the final 22. The lively midfielder is coming off a respectable 2013 club best and fairest and is looking likely to earn his spot in the VFL State Squad final 22 for 2014.
Also listed in the squad is Essendon’s tall key forward Alistair Kefford, who is proving to be a handful for a number of defenders. At 22 years of age, Kefford stands at 194cms tall and has kicked 11 goals in the 5 matches he had played. The Aberfeldie youngster played at the Calder Cannons in the under 18’s TAC cup, and then moved along to Williamstown in the VFL. He then shifted to the Bombers where he has become a shining light in the forward line, and has pushed for selection in the VFL State Squad.
New Bomber Josh Mellington has also been selected for the VFL State Squad after putting forward a notable start to the season. Mellington is a mobile medium sized half-forward who had been drafted in the 2010 National Draft by Fremantle at pick 56. The proven goal kicker made his debut in Round 14 of the 2011 AFL season in which he continued to play 6 games at that level. He was unfortunately hampered by injuries and was delisted by Fremantle. Essendon secured him in the off season giving him another opportunity. Mellington has proven to be a wise choice for selectors as he is not shy around the goals with a number of impressive games and an average of 2 goals a game.
The opportunity for these young Bomber players to play in such a highly regarded game has become a motivator to improve.
It is a great achievement for the three players and we wish them all the best as they strive to be selected in the final 22.
