Griffith youngsters Taine Moraschi and Harry Rowston were set to take their next step in their footballing journey earlier this year before COVID intervened.
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The Griffith Swans juniors were selected in the NSW/ACT Rams side that was set to play in the under 17s National Championship on the Gold Coast in July before border closures, and lockdowns saw the competition put on hold.
Despite not being able to get out onto the field on the Gold Coast, just being selected in the side is a huge achievement for the pair.
" It is a bit unfortunate that we didn't get to play," Rowston said.
"It would have been nice to be up on the Gold Coast in the middle of winter. It's normally nice and warm up there."
The pair have been working hard this season, with both taking part in GWS Giants academy games throughout the season while Moraschi made his first-grade debut for the Swans this season.
"We have been working pretty hard over the last few years to try and get picked," Rowston said.
"I have been looking forward to it, so it was pretty good to get picked."
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The Griffith pair were two of six players selected from around the Riverina, but with the under 17s competition unlikely to go ahead this year, the pair will now turn their attention to the next age group.
"They don't really look at us too much out in the country, but it is pretty good to get recognised, and Taine and I were pretty excited to get up there if we do get a chance," Rowston said.
"We aren't too sure it (National Championship) will probably just get called off to next year, and we will probably have to look towards the under 19s Allies stuff."
The pair did get a chance to run out in the NSW colours in a trial game against a Sydney Swans under 19s side.
Meanwhile, the pair have both been selected among nine footballers from the Riverina in the GWS Giants Academy under 18s phase one squad.
"It (Playing in the Giants Academy) has been great. I have been loving it," Moraschi said.
"It's a great experience, and to be picked for the Rams is great."
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Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
