GIPPSLAND 9.10 (64)

By Nick Schomburgk

DEBUTANT Daniel Rioli was the hero in a thrilling Rebels comeback to defeat Gippsland Power by 13 points at Eureka Stadium.

The electrifying forward had a quiet game until the last five minutes of the TAC Cup under-18s match, when Rioli snapped truly in the goal-square to put the Rebels in front.

Moments later, after being awarded a free kick 45 metres out from goal, he calmly slotted another to seal the game.

It was a wonderful moment, not just for Rioli but for North Ballarat, especially given how poorly they started.

Victory also marks the Rebels' sixth-consecutive win.

Gippsland came out firing and its intensity caused problems for the Rebels, who coughed the ball up under pressure and seemingly lacked the run of previous weeks.

At one stage, late in the second term, the Rebels trailed by five goals and appeared to have no answers.

But games can turn quickly.

After the main break, the Rebels were almost unrecognisable from the team that donned the jumper in the first half.

Suddenly, they were the desperate and imposing outfit that had seen them rise to the top of the TAC Cup ladder.

Jacob Hopper and captain Darcy Tucker were some of North Ballarat's few strong performers in the opening half, but they were quickly joined by a wealth of players.

In particular, the trio of Yestin Eades, Ben Simpson and Connor Byrne were sublime down back, defending well and providing some much-needed run-and-carry.

The move of quick utility Tom Taurau to the forward line in the second half also proved an inspired decision, as Taurau would play a crucial hand in several goals late in the game.

In the end, the Rebels simply found a way to win.

Rebels coach David Loader said it was a very satisfying result.

"It was our best win, clearly," Loader said.

"[It wasn't] the best game we've played, but I think credit has to be given to Gippsland and how good they were in the first half they're going to go a long way, in my opinion. But our boys' response in the second half was really pleasing."

It was an exhausting victory for the Rebels, who had to persevere in a see-sawing final quarter to get over the line.

The efforts of Rioli to break the game open late in the term received praise from Loader.

"He's a great little fella that just loves his footy," Loader said.

"We're hoping that Dan will show us how good he can be in the future. [His selection] gave us a little more speed up forward and he's ended up with three goals, so it's a nice little start to his career."

The Rebels now sits one win clear on the top of the ladder.

AFL under-18 national championships start next weekend, allowing the Rebels a well-deserved break before travelling to Ararat to host Sandringham Dragons on May 31.