Despite showing some impressive performances, the teenage right-armer suffered two serious injuries, slipping a disc in his back while having a bout of osteitis pubis.

The combination of injuries ended his season and the Berwick-born-and-raised quick had a clear choice to make - lift his fitness or fade into obscurity. After a little soul searching, Wilcock came to a simple conclusion: it was time to hit the gym.

"I sat down and thought about how great it would be to play at the highest level, so I decided to give it a real crack," he said.

"I just did a lot of fitness work; I was training five days a week."

Wilcock re-emerged this season with a stronger body and focused mind and his form has followed, taking 23 wickets at 20 as an opening bowler for the Panthers.

That form earned him selection in the 13-man Victorian squad for the national under-19 championships starting in Adelaide on Wednesday.

Wilcock will undoubtedly get closer scrutiny following the outstanding form of fellow Panthers James Pattinson and Peter Siddle in the Australian team.

But Wilcock said he would be out to show his own unique skills.

"I don't feel any extra pressure. People notice Dandenong at the moment but I'm confident in my own abilities."