Rebels reward

Emerging western Victorian footballers aspiring to take the next step in a professional sporting career have impressed AFL pathway club selectors ahead of the 2022 season football season.

Five Wimmera footballers won selection for the GWV Rebels 2022 under-19 boys squad, which will compete in the upcoming pathway competition, the NAB League.

Joel Freijah and William Taylor from Horsham Saints, Oscar Gawith from Minyip-murtoa, and Jett Hopper and Brody Pope from Horsham Demons are all in the 45-player strong squad.

AFL regional talent operations lead Brooke Brown said she was pleased with the teenagers and work they had done so far in preparing for their squad selection.

“Especially given that again in 2021 we had an interrupted season due to COVID-19, spots within the team will certainly be up for grabs come round one of the NAB League season against the Bendigo Pioneers. That’s very exciting for the program,” she said.

She said head coach David Loader, his assistants and development coaches had been working ‘overtime’ in between the girls in-season program and boys pre-season program.

“Their dedication to help improve players in their skill development and football knowledge has been outstanding,” she said.

“Hopefully every player who has been a part of our pre-season program has been able to walk away with a new-found knowledge of the game in which they can take back to their home clubs and regions.”