WANGARATTA Rovers young gun Brayden George is quickly making a name for himself in Wangaratta since moving from Girgarre.
George relocated to the area to attend school at The Academy, which is an AFL based, VCAL school for students in years 11 and 12.
The 17-year-old has en-joyed a breakout 2021 season, being selected in the Victoria Country u17 squad, kicking ve goals in a best-on-ground performance in his senior debut for the Hawks and play-ing two games for the Murray Bushrangers u19 side.
George said he’s loving his time living in Wangaratta.
“It’s been good moving to Wangaratta,” George said.
“There’s been a bit going on, heaps of footy and training which has been good.
“I moved into a unit here by myself at the start of the year, the first few weeks were a bit of a struggle because I didn’t know anyone but I’ve made a few mates through Rovers and school.”
George said his move to The Academy has been well worth it.
“The Academy has been really good,” he said.
“I feel like I’m heaps more engaged which is why I moved because I wasn’t at my old school.
“At The Academy it’s pretty much a normal school day but in the last periods we have a gym session or do some footy stuff.”
George has football training with Wangaratta Rovers on a Monday, Murray Bushrangers on Wednesdays and The Academy on Thursdays and then plays with either the Hawks or Bushrangers on the weekend.
“It’s a pretty full week but I usually have a rest on a Thursday,” he said.
In George’s first game for the Bushrangers against the Oakleigh Chargers the 17-year-old kicked two goals and gathered six touches.
He then backed his debut up against Bendigo Pioneers with 1.1 and 11 disposals.
“I got picked in the u19s Bushies side off the back of my form in the u17s,” he said.
“The jump to 19s is pretty big, it’s a lot quicker and the bodies are a lot bigger.
“You don’t get much time with the ball so you have to make quick decisions.”
In the absence of Wangaratta Rovers’ Melbourne based players last weekend against Corowa-Rutherglen, George earnt the call up to the senior side for his debut.
He made the most of his opportunity grabbing a bag of five majors.
“I feel like Bushies is quicker than seniors in the O&M but it’s not as physical,” he
said.
“There’s a lot of stronger bodies playing seniors and a heap of body contact which I actually enjoy.
“’Crezza’ told me to use my speed and athleticism and just get to the feet of the talls to crumb.”
George’s next step in his nourishing career is to play for Victoria Country in the u17s National Championships.
Victoria Country were meant to play Victoria Metro last weekend in round one of the championships but the game was postponed to June 24 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The National Championships then make a move to the Gold Coast next month to play rounds two and three.
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