NORTH BALLARAT will give young ruckman Ben Mabon his first taste of the Victorian Football League in a grand-final rematch with Northern Bullants in Ballarat tomorrow.Mabon is being given an opportunity under the VFL's 23rd man rule, which allows TAC Cup players or first-year graduates out of the under-18 competition to be used as a fifth man on the interchange.This rule was introduced last year and allowed the likes of Nick Peters, Grant Bell, Josh Free, and Andrew Hooper to be blooded.From New South Wales, Mabon is in his second year with the Rebels and at 198cm will play a support role to number one ruckman Orren Stephenson.Stephenson was backed up by defender Luke Delaney and forward Josh Smith in Sunday's win over Coburg.However, with the Roosters hit hard by injury, they are unlikely to have the luxury of releasing Delaney and Smith from their first-choice jobs.North Ballarat has lost four - recruit and centre half-back Matt Tyler (shoulder), and North Melbourne trio Brayden Norris (hamstring), Matt Campbell (ankle) and Aaron Black (groin).While Tyler, Campbell and Black were unable to play out the opening round, the unavailability of Norris came as a bombshell.Roosters head coach Gerard FitzGerald said Norris had pulled up sore in a hamstring and had immediately been put in cotton wool by the Kangaroos.As well as Mabon, Nick Peters and Stevie Dinnell are definite starters.Peters was most impressive in his three senior games last season, with only the wealth of talent on hand keeping him out of the line-up.FitzGerald said he had done everything right pre-season, with his fitness outstanding and his commitment undeniable.North Ballarat has also promoted Ryan McKenzie, Nick Couch, Tyler George, Rohan McHugh and Ben Peters to an extended interchange.McKenzie is working his way back after a hamstring-interrupted pre-season.The Northern Bullants feature a powerful outfit, including Jarrad Waite and Bret Thornton, who were sensationally dropped by Carlton last night.