Mooroopna’s Clayton Oliver is set to play VFL football over the next two weeks after being nominated to play with the Richmond VFL team. Oliver who has played some outstanding TAC CUP football with the Murray Bushrangers this season commenced training with the Tigers last week.
Murray Bushrangers Talent Manager Lee Fraser highlighted the benefits of Oliver playing and training in the VFL “Clayton had a limited pre-season campaign due to injury, under the guidance of our lead Physiotherapist Marty Hogan we have been able to manage his workload to ensure he can perform at TAC CUP level. As a result Clayton’s form has continued to improve to the level where AFL clubs are keen to see him play within the VFL environment”.
“Clayton has already indicated through training program that there is an increased intensity to the work-rate required at the VFL, it will be a great eye opener for him and further enhance his development both as a footballer and a young man”
“The Richmond Football Club operates an outstanding VFL program; we liaise constantly in order to provide opportunities for young footballers across our region”. In 2014 both Nathan Drummond (Richmond) and Dan Howe (Hawthorn) were drafted on the back of their opportunities to play with the Richmond VFL team”.
Oliver who will play against Sandringham this Saturday followed by a game against Box Hill on Saturday 1 August has been a dominant midfielder in the TAC CUP.
Murray Bushrangers midfield coach Adam Mudra is confident that Oliver will adapt quickly to VFL football “Clayton has a great understanding of the game, he has clean hands and has a huge presence at stoppages, and having played senior football in the Goulburn Valley Football League the bigger bodies of the VFL won’t worry him”.
“As a midfield group we have been working with Clayton on his ability to work at the stoppage and whilst defending on the outside, there is no doubt he will benefit from what VFL football demands through the midfield”. “I am looking forward to him returning to the Bushrangers in the next few weeks with a real appetite to improve and make his mark on the remainder of the season”.
In further news Albury’s Lachlan Tiziani will play his third game with the Greater Western Sydney NEAFL team this Saturday in Brisbane. Tiziani who made his Ovens & Murray senior debut last week has been is great form either through the midfield, half forward and across half back during the 2015 TAC CUP season.
“The Murray Bushrangers through the TAC CUP competition continue to provide pathway opportunities; Tiziani and Oliver join fellow Bushrangers in Nick Coughlan (GWS & Footscray), David Mennen (Collingwood) & Alex Tattersall (Werribee) playing State League football so far this season” Fraser said.
The Murray Bushrangers take on Gippsland Power this Saturday 25 July at Norm Minns Oval in Wangaratta, the game commences at 12.00pm.
Last Modified on 21/07/2015 13:25