REWARD: Rebel Matt Johnston will make his VFL debut against Essendon at Windy Hill. Johnston is impressing with his fierce tackling and goal-sense at TAC Cup and AFL national under-18 championship levels.

PATIENCE will hopefully pay off for the Roosters with decorated ruckman Orren Stephenson to step back on field in the Victorian Football League.

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Stephenson has missed the past five of six North Ballarat Roosters’ matches with a recurring calf injury. The club has erred on the side of caution for the veteran and have kept emerging first-year ruckman Rowan Marshall on standby for a big game at Windy Hill on Saturday.

The Selkirk Roosters stunned the competition in a tight bout with then-top team Box Hill last week – losing by five points with a Sam Grimley kick after the siren in the Hawks’ nest. Essendon is guaranteed to be wary.

Rebel Matt Johnston will make his VFL debut as the Roosters’ 23^rd man against Essendon at the Bombers’ spiritual base. Johnston has produced an impressive season as an over-age player in the TAC Cup and AFL national under-18 championships for Vic Country.

AFL Victoria and Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said a VFL debut was a great reward for the nuggety midfielder.

“Being a North Ballarat junior, Johnno has grown up seeing the Roosters play and he’s really excited about the opportunity,” Partington said. “He’s really stepped up (this year) and he deserves an opportunity in the VFL this week to show his talent.”

Johnston is the third Rebel to play with the Roosters this season, following Josh Webster and Tom Templeton. Partington planned to feature more in the VFL this next month.

The Roosters also regain midfield-forward Liam Hoy, who was a classy act for Ballarat Football League club Redan last week in his comeback from an ankle injury.

Forward Aaron Black has been promoted to North Melbourne to replace suspended Kangaroos’ leader Drew Petrie. The Roosters will keep Roo Lindsay Thomas, who is joined in the VFL by Robin Nahas.

ESSENDON v ROOSTERS

at Windy Hill

Saturday at noon

ROOSTERS TEAM –

B: Warren# Tippett* Schache; HB: Kiel Staley Lockyer; C: Bacon Tsitas McKenzie*; HF: George Keeble Couch; F: A Hooper Thomas* Nahas*; R: Preuss# Sewell Rippon; Inter: Hoy Boseley Stephenson Dumont* Johnston^. Emerg: Bolton Marshall Werts Scott.

*Nth Melb listed #Nth Melb rookie ^23rd player

IN: Nahas, Hoy, Stephenson, Johnston. OUT: Black (Nth Melb), Scott, Marshall, Blake (23rd).