Future stars take flight

Several Gippslanders had the chance to show their stuff on AFL grand final day - albeit at a different venue - as part of the AFL Futures Game.

Originally scheduled to be played at the MCG prior to the big game before being moved to Whitten Oval due to bad weather, the game brought together some of the brightest and best under 17s players in the country for a friendly match.

The end result saw Team Mitchell (named after 2018 Brownlow medalist Tom) defeat Team Melksham (named after recently retired Melbourne Demon Jake) by seven points, 12.12 (84) to 12.5 (77).

Among the two teams were a plethora of familiar names to local footy fans.
Gippslanders playing for Team Melksham included Cohen Dent (Warragul Industrials), Charlie Fischer (Phillip Island) and Oscar Henwood (Nar Nar Goon).

For Team Melksham locals were Henry Allsop (Warragul) and Leo Stephenson (Maffra), with Gippsland Power premiership coach Kris Pendlebury taking the reins as coach.

The next generation of a few famous footy names took the field as well, including Percy Burgoyne (son of Shaun), Tevita Rodan (son of David) and Jett Flower (grandson of Melbourne great Robbie).

Essendon father-son prospect Koby Bewick, son of two-time premiership Bomber Darren, was among the best for Team Mitchell while Gary Lawford booted four goals for Team Melksham.