The boys have begun practice games, with the final squad to be announced next week ahead of its NAB League boys' season.

The full squad played last Friday and after two games this Sunday afternoon, the squad of 66 will be cut down to 35 next week.

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Coach David Loader told The Courier the boys have had a strong pre-season, especially throughout COVID-19 restrictions.

"It's been really pleasing considering the lack of contact that we've had. It becomes super important in the time off that we had a program that covered strength and conditioning and football," he said.

"Usually you just get a strength and conditioning program, but we've said we need to put in some markers to make sure kids are doing a football component of it as well."

"You can't watch them 24/7, but I'd like to think the kids that are going along nicely now have done that."

Loader said the Rebels are hoping for the NAB League boys' fixture to be announced within the next week.

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