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GOLDEN Square’s Adam Baird has always prided himself on stepping up on the big stage.
Be it representing the BFNL in inter-league, which he has regularly done since 2009, or in the heat of battle on grand final day in which he has won four flags, Baird has regularly rose to the occasion.
Sunday presents another big-stage opportunity for Baird to showcase his wares when he represents Victoria Country for the first time against Vic Metro at Ballarat’s MARS Stadium.
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“It’s huge to get the opportunity to play on Sunday. My brother (Travis) has played for Vic Country a few times, so I’m looking forward to being able to do it as well,” said Baird, who was named best for Bendigo in its inter-league loss to Hampden in May.
“I was pretty nervous the other night when they were making the cut of the last five.”
Baird is one of three BFNL stars lining up for Victoria Country on Sunday, with Golden Square team-mate Jack Geary and Sandhurst coach Andrew Collins also making the team.
Like Baird, Sunday will be Collins’ first time representing Victoria Country, coached by Danny Frawley.
“You always want to aspire to play the best footy you can… that’s something I always try to stress to my players,” Collins said.
“Being a proud country Victorian, it’s great to come together with other like-minded players to represent your part of the state.”
Geary has been a regular for Victoria Country, with Sunday to be his fourth time pulling on the Big V in the past five years.
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“The opportunity to play with new blokes is really exciting and there’s 17 who will be making their debut. Adam and Andy are two of them and it’s going to be great to play alongside those two,” said Geary, who has previously captained Vic Country.
Meanwhile, the Victoria Country under-19 team to play the VAFA in the curtain-raiser features young Gisborne forward Jack Scanlon, the winner of last year’s BFNL Rising Star.
“It’s a great opportunity that I’m really excited about,” said Scanlon, who has overcome a back complaint earlier this year to earn a place in the representative side.
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