Back in action after a break for Vic Country squad trial games, the Rebels square off against Calder Cannons in the Anzac Day encounter at Craigieburn.

North Ballarat could easily be undefeated.

The Rebels lost to Geelong Falcons by two points first-up and since then have been comprehensive in defeating Bendigo Pioneers by 80 points and Murray Bushrangers by 18.

North Ballarat had nine players trying out in the Vic Country trials, and will have seven of them on the park – Darcy Tucker, Joel Cowan, Tom Templeton (Portland), Sam McClure (Edenhope-Apsley), Shannon Beks and Sam White – as well as NSW/ACT-squad member Jacob Hopper.

Koroit’s Willem Drew will make his TAC Cup debut with the Rebels as 23rd player. 

Like the Rebels, Calder is on two wins after three outings.

The Cannon launched the season strongly with victories over Sandringham Dragons and Northern Knights, but then dropped points against Eastern Rangers.

This is a record which lines up with more than half the TAC Cup competition. No team is unbeaten, with six teams on a 2-1 record.

Oakleigh heads the ladder, but only on the strength of having played four games.

NSW/ACT and Queensland play their first TAC Cup fixtures on Saturday.

The TAC Cup moves back to the traditional four-man interchange after six in previous rounds.

LADDER: Oakleigh 12 premiership points; Murray 8, Eastern 8, North Ballarat 8, Dandenong 8, Calder 8, Sandringham 8, Geelong 8, Gippsland 4, Northern 4, Bendigo 0, Western 0.

OTHER GAMES

SATURDAY: Geelong v Bendigo, Western v NSW/ACT, Queensland v Dandenong, Gippsland v Northern, Murray v Oakleigh

SUNDAY: Sandringham v Eastern

Team selection panel, page 28