Live stream: GWV Rebels v Oakleigh Chargers, AFL Coates Talent League, Round 18

A season best performance from one of the GWV Rebels’ young guns proved pivotal as they continued their strong form against the Oakleigh Chargers. Watch the replay HERE.

The Greater Western Victoria Rebels strong run of form is continuing to gather momentum.

Away from home against the Oakleigh Chargers, the Rebels made it four wins from their last five games on the back of a 12.13 (85) to 10.12 (72) win at RSEA Park.

David Loader’s side put together an impressive second half performance to come away with the four points as Ollie Hannaford produced his best performance of the season with five goals.

You can watch the replay in the video player above.

PREVIEW

The stars of the future are set to shine literally this weekend in the Coates Talent League.

The Greater Western Victoria Rebels will welcome back projected top-10 AFL draft pick Sam Lalor this week when the side takes on the Oakleigh Chargers on Sunday.

WATCH the game LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on Kommunity TV from 1.30pm.

Injury and commitments to other programs, including matches for Victoria Country and his school Geelong Grammar, has meant Lalor has played just two matches for the Rebels this season.

But with Coates Talent League finals on the horizon, and the eyes of the nation watching his every move, the inside midfielder will return to help the Rebels end a 27-year title drought.

The focus for Rebels coach David Loader is making sure Lalor not only comes back and plays well, with potential AFL suitors on the lookout, but that he can build and further his game after the lay-off.

Sam Lalor of Victoria Country marks during the 2024 Marsh AFL Championships U18 Boys match between Victoria Metro and Victoria Country. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)

“I would think whatever we see here on in, number one it’s an opportunity for him, but number two a real chance for us to see him play some of his better footy,” Loader said.

“He’s played a couple of games in a row now, he has a little bit more continuity under his belt than he’s had all year.

“His best spot is an inside midfielder but can also spend some time down forward and hone on his craft there.

“I have no issues with Sam slotting back in and having a pretty heavy workload through the midfield.”

With most of their squad back on deck last round, the Rebels dismantled Gippsland Power to win by 24 points. It was the second time this year the team scored more than 100 points.

Loader said with four players who represented Vic Country in their forward line, the power was there to do it. But it takes a whole team effort to get it done.

“We looked really dangerous forward of the ball,” he said. “We have four nationals playing in our front half.

“We should have a few avenues at goal, we should look potent in front of goal.

“But it’s whether you can score and protect your coverage at the same time.

“We want to score but there’s a lot more to it than scoring heavily. We’ve got a side that can do it but it will be a fair bit to do with our ball movement and winning the ball around the contest.”

Sam Lalor of the AFL Academy kicks the ball during the 2024 AFL Academy match.

Koroit's Finn O'Sullivan in action for Victoria Country. PHOTO: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos.

The Rebels face an Oakleigh team who is similar to them on the ladder.

After struggling all season for numbers, falling as low as 13th on the Coates Talent League ladder, Oakleigh will get welcome back young guns Finn O’Sullivan and Jagga Smith for the run to finals.

The pair have been tipped to go early in the upcoming AFL draft, with some pundits backing the pair to duke it out for the number one pick.

Loader said the prospect of facing O’Sullivan, would give his squad something to aim at.

The Vic Country representative should be playing for the Rebels, as he is based in Koroit, but instead opted to pull on the blue and red of the Chargers after boarding in Melbourne for the past couple of years.

“It will be a great test for us,” Loader said.

“It will be great to see him and Sam (Lalor) and some of those guys go head to head. They played together as 16 year olds.

“It will be a competitive. But we want him to do really well as well (for his future).”

Originally published as Live stream: GWV Rebels v Oakleigh Chargers, AFL Coates Talent League, Round 18