It could be a record breaking season for the Rebels in this year’s draft with multiple hopefuls
Sam Lalor is on the verge of being the second number one draft pick within three years to emerge from the Greater Western Victorian Rebels, but that is just the start of the good news for this growing footy factory.
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Greater Western Rebels coach David Loader says this year’s AFL draft could yield a record harvest for his club with a huge number of young stars in contention to have their name called out.
For the second time in three years the Rebels looks set to provide the number one draft pick with Sam Lalor the heavy favourite to head to Richmond.
Two years ago another Rebel, Aaron Cadman, was selected to join the GWS Giants.
Lalor and Cadman both grew up in Bacchus Marsh meaning it could also be the second time in three years that the town, with a population of fewer than 25,000 people, has produced the number one draft pick.
Loader said it was no surprise to see Lalor in contention to be number one, especially as his traits relate closely to a former Tigers legend.
“I’m really reticent to compare him to AFL players now but he’s a very close type of player to Dustin Martin,” he said.
“He had a very interrupted year this year but I think he showed in his 17th year what he was capable of.
“As good as he is at stoppage and the good clearance player he is, he has ability to go forward as well.”
It could be a big two night for the Rebels.
Not only could the team get the number one pick but it could also be a record-breaking year for the Coates Talent League side in terms of how many players are selected.
This year the club made the grand final in the boys under-18 for just the second time in their history.
The last, in 1997, was a premiership win which heralded the arrival of Adam Goodes who would go on to be a great of the game.
That 1997 crop created a record for the then North Ballarat Rebels as seven players from that team were drafted.
Loader said this 2024 team was capable of matching or beating that number.
“You go back to (those years) you had 100 people taken in the draft,” Loader said.
“By weight and numbers and population growth of the metro teams, if we get five or six, it’s easily the best we’ve ever had.
“It’s is an amazing return (if it happens) and a credit to footy in our region.”
Ballarat could provide a lot of the action of draft night with five players in contention.
The leading three are Redan’s Jonty Faull and Floyd Burmeister and St Patrick’s College’s Ollie Hannaford.
Hannaford, who comes from Sandhurst in Bendigo, has been boarding in Ballarat for the past couple of years and was captain this year of the school team, which is one of the most prestigious in producing AFL talent.
His draft profile has rocketed in recent weeks and he is now considered a good chance of going in the first round.
“He is there with a rocket,” Loader said.
“Ollie played under-16s with us, played two years of 18s where he’s played every game.
“He’s been a brilliant player the whole way through.
“When I shifted him forward (later in the year), and he kicked six straight in one game and showed what his pressure was like it was when everyone stood up and said ‘wow this kid is an amazing player’.
“He’s been an amazing player the whole way through, just played different roles.
“He’s had a brilliant finish to the year and highlighted his ability to play all areas of the ground.”
Faull and Burmeister could also join Hannaford in the first round.
“Jonty’s 197cm, he’s a contested ball key forward but plays with real energy and he plays with real aggression,” Loader said.
“There’s quite a few talls around but none that really play like Jonty does.
“He’s a stand and deliver forward with great athletic traits.
“He will be sought after.”
Burmeister could be the diamond in the rough after coming to footy late.
“He has the most upside in the draft,”
“He literally at the start of last season when he came in had played 10 games in 5 years.
“He’s had his first year of full football since he was a young junior.
“He’s a super kid, an exciting kid, and an incredible athlete at 200cm.
“He’s one that’s brought in to what we’ve tried to do.”
Then there is East Point’s Harry Charleson, the younger brother of Lachlan who went to Port Adelaide in last year’s draft.
“He had an outstanding year, played every national game and won our best and fairest.
“He’s had an awesome year.”
The other Ballarat player in contention is exceptional long distance runner, East Point’s Archie Caldow, who played in the Coates Talent League grand final.
Loader said Wentworth’s Jack Ough, Koroit’s Mitch Lloyd and Cobden’s Rhys Unwin all had good opportunities to be drafted after strong years.
Ough and Unwin are the best two, in his opinion, to find homes.
“Jack’s well and truly in the mix,” Loader said.
“We’re confident Jack will get an opportunity.”
The Rebels will find out if they get a record haul on Wednesday and Thursday night when the AFL draft is held on Fox Footy.
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