Four highly-talented Sandhurst teenagers are embarking on VFL journeys with four different clubs.
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Sam Conforti, Harvey Gallagher, Cobi Maxted and Cooper Smith developed through the Sandhurst juniors, played with the Bendigo Pioneers at NAB League level and are now training in Melbourne with VFL clubs.
Conforti has already signed a contract with Essendon for 2022, Gallagher took up an invitation to train with Carlton, Maxted is training with Collingwood and Smith is at Arden Street with North Melbourne.
While they're training at VFL level, at least three of the four players will remain aligned with Sandhurst for the BFNL season.
SAM CONFORTI
It's no surprise to see that the left-footed midfielder has already earned a spot on Essendon's VFL list for 2022.
Conforti mixed his time during 2021 with the Pioneers and Essendon and made a big impact with the Bombers' VFL side, winning the best first-year player award and the fans MVP and was ninth in the club best and fairest.
"It takes the pressure off a bit during pre-season knowing that I'm not competing for a spot,'' Conforti said.
"I can focus on training and not have to worry about list spots."
Training has gone up a level this summer under new Essendon VFL coach Brent Stanton.
"It's been good to get back on the track,'' Conforti said.
"Had a fair bit of time training by myself, so it's nice to be back training in a big group again.
"Brent Stanton has been awesome. He's driving some new standards...he's a really competitive person and he's driving us to be better."
While Conforti is officially a Bomber, the Dragons remain close to his heart.
"Sandhurst has been really good for my development and I've had some great coaches,'' Conforti said.
"I've had the chance to play with some quality footballers and I've loved being part of the club.
"Coming to watch the seniors on a Saturday and then pulling on the jumper on a Sunday in the juniors has been awesome for me."
Conforti was excited at the prospect of a number of his Sandhurst mates joining him in the VFL.
"It's good to see the other boys having a crack in the VFL as well,'' Conforti said.
"It's awesome for them. Hopefully, we can all end up on lists. It's sad in a way that we're going our separate ways, but it's also pretty exciting that we're taking the next step with our footy."
Read more: Pioneers' players shine in Young Guns game
HARVEY GALLAGHER
The youngest of the four Sandhurst VFL hopefuls, Gallagher has the option of playing another NAB League under-19 season with the Pioneers.
Ideally, the classy half-forward/midfielder will earn a spot on Carlton's VFL list.
Gallagher spent six week before Christmas training three nights a week with the Blues.
"The training standard is really good. It's been hard, but it's worth it,'' Gallagher said.
"You find yourself struggling more during drills than what you do at NAB League or club level."
Gallagher's Pioneers' team-mates Hugh Hamilton and Xavier Mitchell are also trying their luck with Carlton, while former Pioneers' duo Aaron Gundry and Lachlan Bond were on Carlton's list in 2021 and have returned to the club.
After the past two seasons with the Pioneers and club footy were skittled by COVID-19 restrictions, Gallagher said he relished the opportunity to return to footy.
"Initially, when the season was called off, it was hard to get motivated to train, but it was easier knowing I had guys like Sam (Conforti) and Cooper (Smith) around,'' Gallagher said.
"I could just give them a call and ask if they wanted to go down to the oval.
"When there's other boys that want to work hard and reach the same goal as you, it's easier to put in the work."
Carlton won't make any decisions on its list for 2022 for several weeks.
If Gallagher does make the list, he'll remain aligned with Sandhurst - the club where his parents David and Rose have made a huge impact on and off the footy field and netball court.
"I've been around the club since I was seven,'' Harvey said.
"I've been doing pre-seasons with the seniors since I was about 14 and I've loved it.
"The senior boys love having the young players around and they've been great for me.
"I grew up watching Blair Holmes and now getting the chance to play with him is just unreal."
COOPER SMITH
The hard-running wingman/half-back has taken the first step towards making the North Melbourne VFL list.
Smith survived the first list cut prior to Christmas and will return to Arden Street in January to resume pre-season training.
"Training at that next level has been really good,'' Smith said.
"We've been training a couple of nights a week and then we have a program to do on weekends as well."
Smith made his VFL debut for North Melbourne as a top-up player in 2021 and impressed the Roos in a loss to Southport.
"Going up to Queensland to play was a good experience,'' Smith said.
"We had a tough day and lost by a fair bit, but it was good to play at that level.
"As soon as the ball bounced I was greeted with a bump, so it was a pretty quick welcome to VFL footy.
"That added physical presence was the biggest difference from NAB League level."
Smith made a conscious decision not to let the COVID-19 restrictions during the past two footy seasons get him down.
"In some ways it's motivated me more,'' he said.
"By missing all of those games it makes you enjoy every chance you get to play. At the moment I'm really enjoying my footy."
A big 2021 on the training track has taken Smith's fitness to another level.
"Since the start of this year I've worked extra hard on my running and strength,'' Smith said.
"It's been good to tick off a few boxes in areas where my game needed to improve."
With a strong family tradition at the Dragons - where his father Matt and uncles Ben and Eamon played plenty of senior footy - Cooper is destined to follow suit in some capacity.
"I've committed to Sandhurst no matter what happens,'' Smith said.
"If I do make the North Melbourne list it would be great to come back and play some games for the Dragons on bye weeks during the season.
"Sandhurst has been a big part of my life. I watched Dad play here, I've been watching games here for years and I've enjoyed my time with the club."
Read more: BFNL fixture for 2022 season
COBI MAXTED
Potentially, Maxted might have the most upside of the Dragons' quartet.
The 19-year-old played predominantly as a key forward or key defender during his NAB League career with the Bendigo Pioneers and even had a short stint as big-bodied inside midfielder.
Collingwood, Geelong and Essendon all chased Maxted, but it was the Pies who won the battle.
The ability to stay aligned with Sandhurst played a major role in his decision.
"I played a game with Collingwood last season and I had a tour of the facilities and knew most of the people,'' Maxted said.
"I'm a Geelong fan, so there was an emotional pull to go to Geelong.
"Geelong asked me to move to Geelong and to move my local footy down there as well, but I wanted to stay in Bendigo and stay aligned locally with my footy.
"Collingwood supported that, so that helped my decision."
Originally from Boort, Maxted linked with Sandhurst as a 14-year-old.
"Sandhurst did a lot for me when I first moved down and I wouldn't be where I am today without Sandhurst,'' Maxted said.
"I feel as though I owe them something... and I really enjoy being part of the club."
The pre-Christmas sessions with the Pies were an eye-opener for Maxted.
"It's been tough and a good challenge, but I've enjoyed it,'' Maxted said.
"The standard is a lot higher than NAB League. I'm the fittest I've ever been.
"It's a pretty small group training already, so there won't be many cuts made."
The Pies are yet to disclose what position they see Maxted playing.
The talented teenager doesn't mind.
"I like to be wherever the ball is,'' Maxted said.
"I probably find it easier down back, but if you're getting the ball a bit in the forward line it's probably more fun playing forward.
"Hopefully, I can build fitness over the next few years and spend some time in the midfield.
"I played in the midfield for the Pioneers in my last few games there and I enjoyed it."
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