Over the past two years, it has not gained a victory in the opening three rounds and has not won a round 1 encounter since 2012.

New coach Marc Greig will also be looking to make a positive start to his campaign having moved positions from North Ballarat’s VFL coach to the Rebels’ helm.

Greig has seen some noticeable difference between the roles. He has altered his training methods to better cater for the individual, such is the nature of the TAC Cup competition. While dealing with youngsters who are still at school and paving their future provides a different challenge. But one thing that has remained the same is his playing group’s willingness to learn.

"Their willingness to learn (has impressed me),” Greig said.

"Everyone's got different goals at VFL level, but in the TAC Cup they're all there to improve individually.

"Training is one aspect I've certainly changed a fair bit, it's more specific to things they actually do within games. Training's designed primarily around trying to develop the individual and spending a little bit of time on the team stuff...I would've spent a bit more time on the team-based stuff over the last few years at VFL level.”

Often at under-18 level it can take a few rounds to get a handle on where the team’s expectations should lie, but one difference to last season – where the Rebels won just five matches – is the maturity of the group.

Last season saw a lack of experienced heads and not the same top-end talent as seen the year prior, with a high percentage of bottom-age players.

But this year’s squad sees a balanced 26 top-agers and 22 bottom-agers.

Greig said it had been difficult to cull the initial 150 players to a squad of 48, but it would test some of the players resilience.

"It's not the most enjoyable part telling a youngster they’re not going to make the squad, but at the same time, most of those kids have probably never been left out of a squad or a team.

“So we will see how their resilience holds up and sometimes it can be good for them as well.”

12 Rebels will make their debut on Saturday: Brayden Helyar (Horsham), Jayden Wright (Ararat), Harris Jennings (Portland), Harrison Butler (Carisbrook), Jed Henderson (South Warrnambool), Ben Annett (South Warrnambool), Mitch Martin (Horsham), Kayne Councillor, (Kaniva-Leeor United), Patrick Glanford (Mount Clear), Izaac Grant (Hepburn), Tynan Shannon (Casterton-Sandford), Toby Mahony (Camperdown)