Hopper caught the attention of the selectors in his three performances for New South Wales/ACT in the AFL national championships.

Berry was part of the triumphant Vic Country squad, which went through the carnival unbeaten to claim the national crown.

Hopper hails from Leeton in the Riverina and has been named in the midfield as the only  NSW/ACT representatives in the line-up.

He made the move to St Patrick’s College to play with the Rebels in the TAC Cup under-18 competition.

Berry, who has been selected on a half back flank, is from Horsham Saints in the Wimmera Football League and was a bottom-age player in the championships at 17 years of age.

Named Vic Country’s most valuable player in last year’s national under-16 championshps, Berry still has another year to play in the Rebels.

Not surprisingly Vic Country dominate the All-Australian team, with Berry one of eight representatives.

Hopper is widely tipped to be a high selection in the top 10 in this year’s AFL national draft. He is a member of the AFL and Greater Western Sydney Giants academies.

Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said Hopper had had anything but a smooth ride to get this far, having to overcome two knee injuries and broken hand over the past few years. He said Hopper was a fiercely competitively player – hard at the ball.

Partington described Berry, who is also in an AFL academy,  as a running type with a ”fantastic” work ethic. He said Berry had led handball receives for Vic Country across his six appearances in the carnival.

Partington said the nationals had been outstanding for the Rebels, with seven players representing three states and territories.  Darcy Tucker (Horsham Saints), Matthew Johnston (North Ballarat City) and Yestin Eades (Swan Districts) has also played with Vic Country. Connor Byrne (Lavington) represented NSW/ACT, and Ezekiel Frank (East Point) and Daniel Rioli (East Point) played with the Northern Territory.