A team-bonding camp and hard-fought 53-point win in the wet against Queensland has primed the Rebels for their journey to Preston on Sunday.

They will face the Northern Knights, a club that last year had 2007 top AFL draft picks Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton) and Trent Cotchin (Richmond) running in its TAC Cup under-18 ranks.

This season the Knights are languishing in 10th spot on the ladder but a trip on the road will always be a tough task for the Rebels, who must win to keep a steady foot in the top four.

Last time the Rebels ventured far from home they quickly retreated back to Ballarat after a thrashing from top-team Murray Bushrangers.

North Ballarat coach Chris Maple labelled the loss as the team's worst effort in two years but was confident his troops could draw positives out of the learning experience.

Key Rebels playmakers Will Young, Jordan Roughead, Ryan McKenzie, Andrew Hooper and captain Nick Suban have been called up for Vic Country national under-18 championship duties.

The Knights sport a similar hard-running style as the Rebels, with the advantage of bigger, more imposing bodies.

But it is a chance for a new group of Rebels to step up and shine.

Kerian Robinson will assume prime ruck duties in the absence of Roughead. Robinson has thrived in the challenge before and will have rucking support of young talls Clayton Zanella and acting captain Jake Garvey on Sunday.

Rebels' under-16 development squad players Lucas Cook and Jandre Slabbert have kept their places in the side after impressive TAC Cup debuts last week.

Defender Bryn Weadon will be looking to continue his form in a sweeping role across half-back.

Cook has been named in the forward pocket after kicking three goals on Sunday while young South African defender Slabbert has been named in the back pocket.

REBELS captain Nick Suban will lead Vic Country into the next round of AFL national under-18 championships at the weekend.

Vic Country will face a dominant South Australia outfit tomorrow at Casey Fields, followed by division two winner Tasmania on Sunday at Telstra Dome. Suban will be joined by Rebels tall forward Will Young, ruckman Jordan Roughead, small forward Ryan McKenzie and defender/on-baller Andrew Hooper.