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Greater Western Rebels 2024 Coates Talent League Girls list breakdown

The Greater Western Rebels are hoping to remain the best country team in the Coates Talent League. We analyse every player in the squad.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 21: Lily Jordan of the Rebels and Mikayla Nurse of the Suns contest the ball during the round seven Coates Talent League Girls match between GWV Rebels and Gold Coast Suns Academy at Ikon Park on May 21, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 21: Lily Jordan of the Rebels and Mikayla Nurse of the Suns contest the ball during the round seven Coates Talent League Girls match between GWV Rebels and Gold Coast Suns Academy at Ikon Park on May 21, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The Greater Western Victorian Rebels are confident their footprint to success can be repeated this year.

The Rebels last year were the most successful country team in the girls Coates Talent League, winning five matches out of 13.

The Ballarat-based club also had the highest player selected in the AFL women’s draft from the four country teams with Jess Rentsch selected at pick two to join the West Coast Eagles.

Number two pick Jessica Rentsch is seen during the 2023 AFLW Draft at Marvel Stadium on December 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Number two pick Jessica Rentsch is seen during the 2023 AFLW Draft at Marvel Stadium on December 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The team is also coached by ex-AFL women’s premiership player and Ballarat’s Sally Riley.

“We’re more prepared than last year,” she said.

“The girls who are returning are in excellent shape. They are fitter, their footy brains are more developed than last year.”

And the team now has a template for producing talent, after Jess came through the club.

Riley said it would help the club achieve success on and off the field.

“It’s awesome to have that role model in the group even though she has graduated,” she said.

“We can always refer to real life examples now it has happened.”

Here is a look at all the players in the Rebels team for this year as coach Riley helps breaks them all down.

Greta Arnel, Horsham Demons

A Horsham girl who is new to the under-18s, she was a part of the under-16 Rebels last year. She’s a developing mid-sized forward.

Zoe Burke, Ballarat

She’s our quickest player. Burke is an outside winger and is a top-aged player.

Remy Callender, North Ballarat

She was going to be our starting ruck and key forward but she is out for the year with an ACL injury. She’ll now play a part as part of the coaching staff in a game day role.

Elsie Conroy, Ballarat

A key position player who is capable of playing in the ruck, the forward line and back line. She was part of the Vic Country under-16 side.

Elise Cook, Bacchus Marsh

A versatile player who is clean with the ball, agile and reads the play really well. She is a top-aged player who can play inside midfield or in the back line.

Maddison Cotten, Cavendish

Part of our under-16 side who makes the rise up to under-18s. She is a key forward with a nice set-shot and great aerial craft.

Bindi Crabtree, Redan

Tyla is her identical twin. A 19-year-old who will start the season out after suffering a shattering her elbow last year. She’s a medium sized forward who can play on the wing.

Tyla Crabtree, Redan

Bindi is her identical twin. An inside midfielder who is really hard at the football. She also plays for Essendon in the VFL.

Sophie Curran, Terang Mortlake

A key defender who has had a few injury setbacks, she missed all of last year. She’s made the squad this year and we hope she plays a few games.

Isabella Davies, North Ballarat

She can play as an inside or outside midfielder and is one of the leaders at the club. Davies is not only quick but has an engine.

Elsie Day, Redan

A left footer who is a classy player and is versatile around the ground. Was part of the Vic Country under-16 squad last year.

Madi Dixon, East Point

New to footy who makes the Rebels team for the first time. She’s a tough in and under player and a powerful athlete.

Lucy Eales, Ballarat Storm

A speed machine who has made the team after missing out last year. Her improvement has been huge in the past 12 months, so she deserved a spot on the team.

Charley Gartlan, Ballarat Storm

A new player who is top-aged. She is an athletic ruck who can also play at full forward.

Annabelle Glossop, Terang Mortlake

A multi-sport athlete who also excels in cricket. She’s a craft small forward.

Chelsea Jew, Lake Wendouree

A small back who can also play in the midfield. She is extremely tough at the contest and can run all day. Also a member of the leadership group.

Maggie Johnstone, South Warrnambool

She’s in our leadership group. Played Vic Country under-16s last year and is an inside midfielder/half back who has good kicking skills.

Piper Joyce, Redan

A tall marking position player. Has played local footy for Redan and can also play down back.

Kate Knight, Redan

Was a member of the under-16 Rebels side last year. She’s a tall physical ruck and can also play as a key forward.

Millie Lang, Redan

In the national academy and is part of the under-18 Vic Country team. A tall key back with a booming left foot. She is also co-captain.

Claire Lightfoot, Ballarat

A 19-year-old who is returning from last year. She’s coming back from a back injury and she’s a skilful small forward.

Claire Mahony of the Rebels celebrates kicking a goal during the round seven Coates Talent League Girls match between GWV Rebels and Gold Coast Suns Academy at Ikon Park on May 21, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
Claire Mahony of the Rebels celebrates kicking a goal during the round seven Coates Talent League Girls match between GWV Rebels and Gold Coast Suns Academy at Ikon Park on May 21, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Claire Mahony, Lake Wendouree

A tall forward, who is also in the Vic Country team. An aerial contact beast who will crash packs and take hangers.

Imogen O’Brien, Ballarat

Another local girl who has improved significantly over the past 12 months. Her leadership stands out and she’s a half back player.

Scarlett O’Donnell, South Warrnambool

Only played one year of football before and we identified her to play for us after her performance for School Sports Victoria last year. It will be good to see her at this level.

Poppy Peters, Horsham

A returning member from our under-16s side. She will play through the backline.

Chloe Reynolds, Portland

A reliable tall defender with good marking skills.

Grace Schrama, South Warrnambool

She’s been part of our program for three years. An outside runner who can play off half back.

Tansy Seymour, Bacchus Marsh

Will play in the team this year after being a reserve last year. Is the fittest she’s been and is a ruckman and defender.

Jovie Skewes-Clinton, Ballarat Storm

Played under-16 Vic Country last year and can play across all three lines. Her kicking skills are her strength and has done a mountain of work in the off-season.

Emma Stewart, Bacchus Marsh

An outside runner who comes from an athletics background. She brings that athleticism and speed into her footy on the outside.

Tilly Stringer, Redan

A new player to the under-18 Rebels team. Has plenty of versatility and is a rower as well. She is a tall and has a really nice kick.

Amelia Thomas, Cavendish

Played in the under-16s last year. She’ll play through the backline.

Ruby Thomas, Bacchus Marsh

An emerging leader. She’s a small forward who has a lot of tenacity towards the footy.

Tahni Turner, Bacchus Marsh

A speed machine who developed well last year and plays down back or on the wing.

Chloe Walker, Bacchus Marsh

Has plenty of versatility. Can play as a small inside midfielder or at either end of the ground. Her strength is to win the ball and use it well.

Brook Ward, Ballarat Storm

The co-captain. Is coming back from an ACL injury and I’ve never seen her so fit. Her leadership has been outstanding in the off-season with her rehab and training.

Adelle Weidemann, Rupanyup

She played in our under-16 side last year and will play down back with a little bit of midfield time as she develops.

Olivia Wolter, South Warrnambool

Has really crafty skills and will be looking to play through the half forward line.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/country/greater-western-rebels-2024-coates-talent-league-girls-list-breakdown/news-story/885959393bfb668752477dd413ef021d