The Western Jets have appointed Oscar Junker and Wilson Berry as joint captains for the upcoming TAC Cup season after being named in the club’s leadership group last month.
Berry and Junker impressed the Jets’ coaches, staff and players throughout the club’s practice match phase and were given the official captaincy nod last week.
Junker is a long-time member of the Jets, having gone through the club’s development programs at under-15 and under-16 levels.
He was a bottom age player at the Jets last year and was named the club’s best first-year player.
Western Jets region manager Shane Sexton said one of Junker’s best assets was his versatility.
“Last year, we started him on a half-back flank to utilise his kicking and he did a really good job,” Sexton said.
“He would have played on the wing at times … later in the year, because he is so good overhead, we played him at centre half-forward.
“In the last game of the year, when we knocked off the Cannons, Oscar was at centre half-forward and he kicked a couple of telling goals.”
Last year was Berry’s first at the Jets.
He wasted no time making himself at home, finishing third in the best and fairest rankings as well as being named the club’s most consistent player.
“As a bottom age player, Wilson started off in the back pocket,” Sexton said.
“He was really solid for us there … as the season progressed, we got him up the ground a bit and he really came into his own.
“He has terrific run and carry, he is a good ball winner and he was very influential towards the latter part of last year.”
Junker and Berry are two Jets who are expected to be closely watched by AFL recruiters this season. They have been named in the under-18 Vic Metro squad for the upcoming national championships.
They will be joined by top-age teammates Harry Bult, Judah Dundon, Brock McGregor, Jordan Robinson and Daniel Venables.
Also named in the squad is bottom age player Lachlan Fogarty. The teenager is coming off a brilliant under-16 national championships at which he was named Vic Metro’s best player.
Fogarty is also a member of the AFL AIS Academy program and will be heading off on a tour of New Zealand later this year.
“To have all those guys selected in the Vic Metro squad, that is really good … we are really pleased about that,” Sexton said.
“Hopefully, with some good early season form, we might sneak another one or two in.”
The final under-18 Vic Metro squad will be named in April.
The Jets will kick off their 2016 TAC Cup campaign against the Oakleigh Chargers this week.
