But the Rebels outplayed the tallest team in TAC Cup under-18 competition, Murray Bushrangers, for a three-goal win on Saturday afternoon.

Victory polishes off the Rebels’ first stanza this season. They enter a TAC Cup development week and well-earned break with two wins from three starts.

The Rebels’ latest win was the middle game in a country round triple-header at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Rebels coach David Loader said his team was well-organised but it was those taking on the Bushies’ tallest timber who were most instrumental in the win.

“We led well and led most of the day but just were quite able to put them away,” Loader said.

“The guys playing on taller opposition did a really good job and were a big part of us winning the game.

“...the whole game was a fantastic spectacle of footy on such a beautiful ground up there in Bendigo.”

The Rebels held an edge on Murray at each break, and for most of the match, but the Bushrangers were persistent.

Each time the Rebels built a buffer, the Bushies clawed back.

Late in the third quarter the Bushies booted three consecutive majors to draw the margin back to four points.

When the Rebels again pushed away in the fourth quarter, the Bushies clawed back to within 10 points at the 25-minute mark of the final term.

Ezeikiel Frank made a big impact up forward with four goals.

Rebels back men Connor Byrne, Jarrod Berry and Angus Cleary were named clear best afield for their work containing the towering Bushrangers.

Cleary nullified one of the Bushies’ biggest men, who had taken 14 marks a week earlier.

Berry was stretchered off early in the fourth quarter and taken to hospital for tests after a heavy knock from hitting his head on the ground in a sling tackle.

Loader said Berry was cleared of any serious concern but still would have been rested as a precaution next week if the Rebels had a game.

The Rebels will continue to monitor a few sore bodies throughout the break. Most are the result of a tough game in warm conditions.

Loader was pleased with how well his Rebels had kick-started their season.

And the big assignments keep coming. The Rebels will return to action in an Anzac Day clash against Calder Cannons on the road.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au