RIPPON TO CAPTAIN THE U23s TEAM TO PLAY TASSIE

Marshall Rippon of Uni Blues has been named captain of the VAFA U23 side to to take on the AAFC Tasmanian U23 side on Saturday. Tom McKinley (Old Scotch) and Harrie Lahy (Uni Blacks) have been named as the Vice-Captains. 
“It is an honour to led such a great group of guys and this is something that I will look back on in years to come” said Rippon. 
Under 23 Coach Andrew Hayes said Rippon has fantastic leadership traits but the captaincy could have gone to any number of players. 
“What we have tried to instil in the group is that they are all leaders. That is generally the case when you bring together the best players from different clubs, invariably the better players are often leaders as they set the example by their deeds on the field” said Hayes. 
The match against Tasmania will be streamed live through vafatv.com from 4.15pm on Saturday 7th June. 
The final 22 (listed below) has players from 15 different clubs from four different sections of the VAFA. Old Trinity lead the way with four players in the side. There are seven players in the side that played for the U23 VAFA rep side against South Australia last year. 
The VAFA would also like to congratulate field umpire Sam Levin who will travel with the team to officiate in the match. 
The squad trains for the final time at Sportscover Arena on Thursday evening before catching a flight to Hobart on Saturday morning. 
Good luck to all the players, support staff and of officials and let’s hope the Vics return from the weekend with our 100% record against the Tasmanians in tact.