Sport

Shepparton News’ Goulburn Valley League Football Rising Star for April: Shepparton Swans’ Oliver Warburton

By Josh Huntly

May 1, 2025

Oliver Warburton has worn the Shepparton Swans jersey proudly during the first month of action and is thriving in the midfield. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Shepparton Swans are flying high with an unbeaten run after four rounds of Goulburn Valley League footy – a remarkable achievement not seen since their drought-breaking premiership season of 2014.

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That’s in part attributable to the Swans’ engine room, which has been lit up by 18-year-old midfielder Oliver Warburton.

His start to the season has earned him The News’ Rising Star victory for April and a quick glance at the numbers behind the former Murray Bushrangers star offers part of the reason why.

Now playing his first season of senior footy at Princess Park, Warburton averaged 30 disposals a game throughout the first three rounds, his best return coming in round two’s 32-point win against Seymour.

He collected 34 disposals, seven clearances and six inside-50s that day and his 74 per cent disposal efficiency throughout his first three games shows that whenever he’s getting the footy, he’s making an impact.

Within the four walls of Princess Park, the Carlton VFL-listed Warburton is considered the “ultimate professional” with a hunger to improve.

“For us, he’s playing like a 200-gamer already,” Swans coach Jedd Wright said.

“He’s still 18 years old, so we’ve been really impressed with his work so far.

“He’s the ultimate professional; super fit, he doesn’t waste the ball and he’s always trying to better himself.

“He’s constantly looking for feedback on ways he can improve and make us a better team.

“I think that’s his best trait – he’ll do whatever job we want him to do as long as it helps us win.”

An AFL Draft prospect in 2024, Warburton reminded everyone that he has class in spades.

And a scary prospect for GVL opposition is the fact that there might still be some improvement in the tank as he consolidates his reputation in the league.