AFL draft 2021: Greater Western Victoria Rebels’ huge hopes
Three top-25 selections might be considered the GWV Rebel’s best draft prospects but their coach says there is plenty of stars outside the top echelon.
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Greater Western Victoria Rebels coach David Loader is like a kid on Christmas with the AFL Draft just days away.
That’s because the NAB League club is preparing for one of the biggest draft hauls in its history.
This year’s group is headlined by Josh Gibcus and Ben Hobbs who are both anticipated to be selected in the top 10.
While Sam Butler, the brother of St Kilda forward Dan, has also been touted as a player picked in the first 25.
If the trio is selected within the first 25 picks, they would follow in the footsteps of Hugh McCluggage (pick three), Jarrod Berry (17) and Cedric Cox (24) who were all selected by Brisbane in 2016.
“The first thing I would say about those three guys is they are all terrific young men,” Loader said.
“We had an exceptionally talented group this year and we’re really pleased with how they’ve all handled themselves.
“We can’t control what will happen on the night but if they do earn an opportunity the clubs who pick them will get terrific young men.”
Gibcus is described by recruiters as a player in the mould of Melbourne premiership defender Jake Lever while Hobbs has been touted as a future AFL leader who thrives at the coalface.
“Those boys both had terrific years,” Loader said.
“Their natural abilities have really shone through but it hasn’t been without hard work.”
Loader said the “world is Butler’s oyster” ahead of the draft.
“He’s got great flexibility to play across the ground,” he said.
“Buts’ can always find space in traffic with his turn of foot. He’s a super impressive young man.”
Key forward Josh Renstch, who was also deployed in the ruck throughout the season, is also a name to keep an eye on according to Loader.
“Josh is a man mountain,” he said.
“He has wonderful attributes to be a top level footballer. He played a similar role to what Tom Hawkins does for Geelong and used his size around the ground.”
Loader also paid credit to Jamieson Ballantyne who often travelled three hours one way from Portland to attend training sessions.
“It’s a fair commitment to make and he deserves a lot of credit for it,” he said.
“He runs terrific patterns and could go on to become a well accomplished outside midfielder if given the opportunity.”
Other Rebels who nominated for the draft include Angus Bade, Jack Bambury, Sam Breuer (the son of former Geelong and Port Adelaide player Shayne), Nicholas Cushing, Marcus Herbert, Nicholas Hodgson, Flynn Loader, Jye Lockett, Kai Lohmann, Fraser Marris, Charlie Molan, Blake Scott, Padraig Simpson, Hamish Sinnott and Archie Stevens.
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