REBELS will share billing with North Ballarat Roosters at Eureka Stadium on Saturday – and have plenty to prove in their Victorian Football League curtain raiser.
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North Ballarat Rebels return from two weeks’ to regroup and move on from a heavy, wet loss to Geelong Falcons that ended a TAC Cup 10-game winning streak. The Rebels uncharacteristically drifted from their strong brand of football and got swept away.
Play does not get easier. The Rebels host Queensland’s state team, which was undefeated in this year’s AFL under-18 national championships division two title.
Rebel Joe Symons has been promoted on strong form to be the Roosters’ 23rd man in a straight swap for teammate Matthew Johnston, who took up the role against Essendon last week. The Rebels have called on one of their youngest listed players Ryan Thompson (Ballarat Swans) as their 23rd man.
About half the Rebels’ line-up played in the Ballarat Associated Schools’ football final on Wednesday. Training work loads have been carefully managed.
REBELS v QUEENSLAND
home, Sat 11am
REBELS – B: Byrne, Dawborn, McLeod; HB: Simpson Cleary Tucker; C: Templeton, Hopper, Wellings. HF: Eades Korewha Johnston; F: Lusby Hausler Berry; R: Meek Webster Cowan; Inter from: Lloyd Rioli Lee Frank Thompson* Williamson Lawrence McCluggage.