AFL Draft 2023: The GWV Rebels in contention to be drafted

The Rebels could have a several players selected at the AFL draft with one country town set to have a big night. We look at the best prospects from Greater Western Victoria.

The GWV Rebels might not have the favourite for this year’s AFL Draft but a trio of young stars could make their way to the top level.

After Aaron Cadman was taken with the top pick in the 2022 Draft, Rebels coach David Loader has expressed his excitement at what could lay ahead for three players.

They include George Stevens, Luamon Lual and Joel Freijah, who have all been been ranked in the top-50 prospects.  

If Lual and Stevens are picked, the Warrnambool players would become the first duo to be selected in the same AFL draft from the Hampden league since Cedric Cox and Hugh McCluggage in 2016.

Loader is confident it will happen but he’s unsure who will be picked first out of the Rebels’ prospects.

“We haven’t got a boy who going to be a top 10 or a first-round draft pick,” he said.

“After that it makes it difficult. After the first round it is usually down to a needs basis.

“So if someone needs a small running defender then Luamon Lual comes into play, if someone wants an inside mid then it’s George Stevens or if someone who wants an outside mid it’s Joel Freijah.”

George Stevens has had a great year for the Rebels. Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Loader said Stevens was a strong chance to be picked up in the second round after his performances this season.

“He’s had an outstanding year,” he said.

“He’s got so many great attributes for an inside midfielder. He’s really strong, he’s powerful, he’s a really high level kick on both sides on his body, he’s super clean and he’s really smart.

“He’s an exciting prospect.”

Lual could potentially head to the Western Bulldogs if he isn’t picked inside the top-40 as he is a Bulldogs Next Generation Academy member.

But Loader has bad news for the team from the west.

“I’m not sure the Bulldogs get a crack at him,” he said.

“He had an awesome start to the year, his first half of the year was really good and he had a good national carnival. He changed his game a little bit.

“He became more offensive out of half back, which is wonderful for him.

“Instead of becoming just a great defender he became a great offensive player as well.”

Loader added Freijah provided what could be the greatest unknown of the draft for clubs.

At 190cm and 88kg the winger is a running machine.

But there is much more to the Horsham midfielder than that.

“He can go forward as well and is actually really good overhead,” Loader said.

“He’s a really tall powerful player but his ability to run is what set him apart.

“He’s nearly the best outside midfielder I’ve had in my time with his ability to get back and defend the game and get forward and attack the game.”

Lachlan Charleson is Ballarat’s best chance of having a player picked. Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The best chance for a Rebel from Ballarat to be selected is East Point’s Lachlan Charleson with the small forward impressing earlier this season with an eight-goal haul against the Bendigo Pioneers.

If Charleson doesn’t get picked and no one else from Ballarat is selected it would be the first time in five years the region hasn’t had a player drafted.

“He’s a small forward who has had a really good year,” Loader said.

“If someone might be in need for one of those then he might gets his opportunity.”

The AFL draft will be held on November 20 and 21.