The Greater Western Victoria Rebels have announced nine debutants before their NAB League Under 18s Boys season opener.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ned Nash, Jack Tillig, Josh Dwyer, Nick Stevens, Mitch Jorgensen, Jay Rantall, Harry Sharp, Jamie Quick and Nick Caris will don the black and white for the first time against the reigning premiers, the Dandenong Stingrays.
Coach Mark Greig says the nine boys contain a good mix of leadership and experience.
Among the debutants are four Ballarat players; Nash, Stevens, Sharpe and Quick, all of which Greig spoke highly of.
"Ned Nash has had a really strong pre-season," he said.
"As a top-age player we can see him being a leader going forward."
Bottom age players Stevens and Sharpe displayed strong running ability off the wing, while Quick will be looking to turn heads pushing forward up the field.
"(Quick) is a rangy half forward who had shown off a real confidence in his ability leading up to this week," Greig said.
"He's very comfortable going up and using his body in the marking contest."
The Rebels will be steered by their three 19-year-old players, Jed Hill, Matty Lloyd and James Cleaver.
"Those three are going to be massive for our group this year," Greig told The Courier.
"We didn't have any 19-year-old's last year and while we're all about development, having three players with their poise and experience will go a long way."
Hill impressed last year, kicking 23 goals in 18 appearances, while Cleaver appeared in 15 games and Lloyd in 10.
Greig has been pleased with what he has seen from the Rebels in the lead up to the season and believes they can improve upon their five wins from last year.
"I saw a lot of good things in our pre-season hit-out against Geelong," he said.
"We're going to start as competitively as we can, we've got a strong and connected group that I believe is capable of playing some really strong football."
The season will kick off at Mars Stadium against the Dendenong Stingrays from 3pm.