Sport
9 March, 2022
Five Wimmera footballers selected for Rebels
Five Wimmera footballers have been selected in the Greater Western Victoria Rebels Under 19s boys squad.
HORSHAM Demons footballers Jett Hopper and Brody Pope, Horsham Saints footballers Billy Taylor and Joel Freijah and Minyip Murtoa footballer Oscar Gawith have been selected in the Greater Western Victoria Rebels Under 19s boys squad.
Hopper said it was an exciting opportunity to be selected for the squad.
“It’s a good group of players, and it will be a challenge with the high standard of football,” he said.
The backline player said he sometimes plays in the midfield and was using the 2022 season to see how he would go at that standard.
“It would be nice to give it a good crack this year and the end goal is to play at a level to be considered for the draft,” he said.
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Taylor said his hard work over the summer period had paid off when he was selected.
“It felt good to be selected in the squad,” he said.
Taylor said he had previously played in the Rebels Under 16s team but it was his first year in the Under 19s team.
“I usually play in the midfield,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know other players from around the Wimmera and the high-level training and games.
“I want to use this opportunity to improve my football skills and see how far I can go in the industry.”
Freijah said it felt really good to be selected in the Rebels.
“A fair bit of work goes into being selected so it's a good feeling to see results,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play at a high level with these good coaches and mentors.”
Freijah previously played in the Rebels Under 16s team and plays on the wing, sometimes moving to the blackline.
“I see football as a career and this is part of the pathway going forward,” he said.
“I’d like to mention the Horsham Saints and the coaches there that have been really good to me.”
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Pope said while it felt good to be selected it was also a surprise to make it to the squad.
“The Rebels picked a fair few this year so I didn’t know what to expect but I am happy I was picked,” he said.
“It’ll be my first year in the Under 19s, but I played in the Under 16s a few years ago.”
The midfielder and backliner said he was looking forward to getting out on the track with the other player.
“It’s a good culture and good atmosphere out there,” he said.
“I’ll go as far as I can, the dream is to play professional football but I’ll be happy no matter where it takes me.”
Gawith said his first year with the Rebels was in 2021 in the Under 16s squad.
“I was pretty happy to be selected this year and I was a bit surprised too,” he said.
The centre halfback and fullback player was keen to continue to expand his opportunities to play football.
“I’m looking forward to the experience and getting to play at a higher level,” he said.
“I want to keep developing my football and want to see how far I can go with it.”
The Rebels boys’ season begins on April 2 in Bendigo against the Bendigo Pioneers.
The squad of 45 players, consists of seven 19-year-olds, 15 bottom aged players and 23 top aged players.
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GWV Rebels talent operations lead Brooke Brown said she was enthused by the preseason that was completed under the guidance of the Rebels strength and conditioning lead Isaac Quick.
“I have been really pleased with the boys and the work they have done thus far, especially given that again in 2021 we had an interrupted season due to COVID,” she said.
“Spots will certainly be up for grabs come round one against the Bendigo Pioneers, and that’s exciting for the program.
“Hopefully every player that has been a part of our preseason program has been able to walk away with a newfound knowledge of the game in which they can take back to their home clubs and regions.”
