FIRST Ballarat home game and the Rebels have marked it in winning style.
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North Ballarat Rebels' comprehensive 75-point win against Northern Knights on Saturday made it five wins in a row for the Rebels, who now sit on top of the TAC Cup under-18 ladder for the first time this season.
Cold and windy conditions at Eureka Stadium played their part in preventing a free-flowing spectacle but the Rebels still found a way to flex their muscles and hit the scoreboard.
The opening term certainly wasn't the prettiest, as both teams were adjusting to the torrid weather.
However, the Rebels' intent at the contest and willingness to spread hard from stoppages was already evident.
It didn't take long for the Rebels to surge away, as they kicked seven goals in the second quarter to establish a sizeable 47-point gap at the main break.
The Knights battled hard to stay in the game but were ultimately outworked by a Rebels outfit that was too strong in the clinches and too fast on the outside.
Rebels coach David Loader said it was not only a pleasing result for his team, but also a more consistent effort than their last couple of outings.
"For the boys to go out and be able to play the style we wanted to play in those conditions was a real bonus," Loader said.
"But I felt we worked a little bit better today across four quarters than we have in the last couple of weeks."
Loader also stressed the importance of trying players in multiple positions, which had the flow-on effect of 10 individual goal-scorers.
Key midfielders Jacob Hopper, Ben Lusby and Tom Templeton not only had the ball on a string but managed to prove to be a threat up forward as well, kicking seven goals between them.
The dynamic Yestin Eades was also successfully tried across half-back, adding some extra run-and-carry from defence.
Loader said the ability of players to thrive in multiple positions was important for not only their own individual improvement, but the team's as well.
"We're trying to develop a lot of kids as much as we possibly can, but certainly having the flexibility for a number of our players to play forward, midfield and back is going to be beneficial to us in the long run," Loader said.
Bottom-age utility Hugh McCluggage made a bright debut for the Rebels, providing a spark up forward and showcasing impressive skills.
The coach could not help but be impressed with McCluggage's first outing.
"He didn't look out of place at all at TAC Cup level, which is great," Loader said.
"He's a quiet lad, but he certainly read the game well and he was smart when he used the ball, so we're really pleased that Hugh has got one under his belt now and we look forward to watching him develop."
The Rebels will enjoy another home game at Eureka Stadium this Saturday, when they host an in-form Gippsland Power outfit.