NORTH Ballarat Rebels face a pivotal game in the inaugural AFL Victoria Youth Girls Academy Challenge.
The Rebels have begun the competition strongly to be unbeaten in two rounds to lead their pool.
To stay there and maintain the frontrunning for a grand final berth on Easter Monday, March 28, North Ballarat needs to overcome Calder at Sebastopol’s Marty Busch Reserve on Saturday at 4pm.
The challenge features eight academies, with the Jeff Whittaker-coached Rebels in the northern pool with Bendigo Pioneers, Murray Bushrangers and Calder.
Whittaker said he had been impressed by the girls’ free-flowing style of play.
The Rebels’ main squad features 34 players and is complemented by 10 rookies, with Ballarat, Horsham, Ararat, Timboon, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Casterton represented
Ebony Tucker, Amy McDonald, Jess Bokma, Lauren Butler, Georgia Clarke, Jordan Chettleburgh and Katie McAloon are trying out for the Vic Country team.
