THE BASICS to competitiveness in TAC Cup under-18 football are really starting to click for North Ballarat Rebels.
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A third-consecutive win gives the Rebels momentum and confidence to face top-four contender Sandringham next at Eureka Stadium.
It will be the Rebels’ second home game this season.
Hard running and spread across the ground in the second and third quarters set up the Rebels’ 20-point win against Gippsland Power in Oakleigh on Saturday.
Keen determination polished it off.
Rebels coach David Loader said his playing group was learning and fine-tuning each game and to grind out a win against quality opposition was a great step forward.
“We had a better contribution from all players this week and the more players making a good contribution, the more games you are going to win,” Loader said.
“We’ve got plans and stuff we’re working on at the minute and goal kicking is really one we want to sharpen, but we’re certainly excited to be back in Ballarat next week.
“We’ve only played one game there and hope the crowd will get behind us as much as they did in that first game.”
Goal-kicking inaccuracy blemished the Rebels’ win. They booted 19 behinds.
Lively young forward Tom Taurau booted two goals in his TAC Cup debut, with limited game time as the Rebels’ 23rd man.
Jesse Palmer proved a threatening force up forward, also booting two goals.
Defenders Oscar McDonald, Tom Schnerring, Darcy Tucker and Josh Webster formed formidable back lines.
James Richards, part of the Vic Country under-18 squad, made a solid start back in defence after three weeks sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Ruckman Rowan Marshall will be monitored this week in rehabilitation after rolling his ankle late in the last quarter –although his dominance still earned him best on ground honours.