Greater Western Victoria reveals their boys squad ahead of the season
The Rebels had six players drafted in 2024 including the number one pick, Sam Lalor. We breakdown this year’s list who are hopeful of making their own mark. See every player profile.
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Greater Western Victoria Rebels coach David Loader says don’t expect his team to repeat what was one of the best seasons in the club’s Coates Talent League history.
But underestimate the side at your peril.
The Rebels last year made the grand final, losing to the Sandringham Dragons, before having six players selected in the AFL draft, including Sam Lalor who went at number one to Richmond.
Loader said last year was a dream for the program, who ended up having seven players selected to AFL clubs with former Rebels player Will White added to Carlton this year as an SSP player.
“In 2023 we had a lot of bottom agers coming through,” Loader said.
“By playing all those young boys, with a heap of them ending up on AFL lists this year, it was about identifying the talent, getting two years to work with them and then the results speak for themselves at the end of it.”
Loader said it was a proud moment to get so many players drafted.
“It’s the most we’ve ever had,” Loader said.
“That’s our big win right there. That’s 10 per cent of the AFL draft coming out of Ballarat/Warrnambool.
“Those numbers are unreal for us. That’s our real win, getting kids to the next level.”
The only negative is this year’s squad is inexperienced.
While it will provide opportunity for others to impress, it could take a while for the Rebels to get back to the level of 2024.
“From our massive success one year, we nearly lost everyone out of our team,” Loader said.
“You go a little bit back to the drawing board. There’s only four boys who played in our GF side left and the rest are new.
“We are starting at square one and there’s a whole group of boys coming through we are getting to look at.
“The only expectation I have is that our list develops and gets better. The results will speak for themselves.”
Loader said the focus this year was on running out games, literally.
The focus for this year’s squad has been finding speedy players with endurance to burn.
“That is what we are going to trying do (run over teams),” Loader said.
“We’ve picked a very athletic group this year and that is how we hopefully play.”
Meet this year’s Rebels team below with the help of Loader.
Flynn Batrouney, Redan
A small forward who is having his first year as a top-age player in the program.
Taj Bowman, North Ballarat
Having his second year in the program. A smart player with good agility and plays in defence. Can really lock someone down.
Floyd Burmeister, Redan
Unlucky not to get drafted and we hope he gets selected this year. Incredible athlete, 200cm key forward and ruck. Blessed with speed and athletic ability and can jump. He’s one that will be high on the radar this season.
Sinclair Burmeister, Redan
The younger brother of Floyd. Having his second year in the program. He runs all day, really nice left foot kick and is a high-end athlete like Floyd.
Taylor Byrne, Koroit
Having his second year in the program. A left footed small tough inside midfielder who can play in the forward line as well.
Max Clancey, Port Fairy
A big bottom-aged player from Port Fairy. Is a big strong lad who is still growing and can play key position or ruck. Is first year in the program.
Hamish Dobson, Koroit
Another bottom-ager who is in his first year of the program. Got high end running capabilities and is a really good distance runner. A nice clean player.
Ethan Drever, Ballarat
Ballarat boy, bottom-aged player, who played a game with us last year as a 16-year-old. Midfielder who has played for Vic Country last year at the under-16 nationals.
Leo Ellerton, South Warrnambool
A first-year player, bottom-ager, that comes into our system from Warrnambool. A really good runner, good leg speed and is a tough half back type of player.
Archie Elliott, Horsham
First year in the system. Another player with really high running capabilities. Really looking forward to see how Archie will go this season. Usually plays on the wing.
Dan Ewing, Koroit
Another first year player in the system. A high-end distance runner from Koroit.
Chad Finck, Portland
Having his second year. A tall ruck and key forward but fairly versatile and can play in a number of positions. Hoping Chad improves as we think he might over the season.
Xavier Gleeson, Redan
First year in the program. A key defender or third tall defender. Hoping Xavier can play a role for us behind the footy.
Cooper Glenwright-McGuane, East Point
Second year in the program. A half forward who is really good overhead and can hit the scoreboard. He is related to former Collingwood player Mick McGuane.
Jett Grayland, Koroit
Having his second year in the program. A small tough inside midfielder who can play forward and back. He is very versatile.
Drew Harris, Horsham Saints
His first year in the program. A bigger bodied inside midfielder from Horsham.
Dean Harten, Redan
Second year in the program. A high-end runner from over near the South Australian border. A left footer who will be back in Ballarat soon.
Harley Hicks, Lake Wendouree
He’s in the Vic Country squad for 2025. Was one of the boys who played in the grand final last year. A small pressure forward who can play inside as well.
Riley Holloway, Warrnambool
Second year in the program. A stoic defender who plays deep in defence. A really good kick and is very reliable.
Michael Hughes, North Ballarat
Played his first game last year and represented Vic Country at the under-16 nationals last year. A really nice left foot kick and moves well.
Sam Kallio, Redan
Second year in the program and is a third-tall forward. He is 194cm and is a marking option.
Charlie Kenna, Terang Mortlake
A small outside midfielder who is having his first year in the program. A high-end runner who is quick off the mark with his sprints.
Alby Kingston, Rupanyup
Coming back for his second year in the program. He did his knee last year so hasn’t played a game yet and is working his way back. He returned to training this month.
Harvey Lewis, North Ballarat
Second year in the program. Is a quick, small, pressure forward.
Tethloach Dak Liem, East Point
First year in the program but did make his debut last year. A half back/half forward who can switch between ends on the ground.
Austin Lloyd, Koroit
A tall forward who is in his first year in the program. Got really good long distance capabilities and is about 193cm at the minute and continues to grow. We hope he continues to grow this year.
Zane Lubeek, Mount Clear
First year in the program and impressed in the trial period with us. Can play forward and back.
Kiir Manyiel, Mount Clear
First year in the program. A tall, 196cm, developing ruckman and key forward. He is a late developer.
Sam Marris, South Warrnambool
A small running defender who is an outside midfielder. He is very clever and a good distance runner.
Lachlan Martin, Redan
First year in the program. A third tall forward or backman. A really good runner. He’s got great size and shape.
Joe McGuane, Mount Clear
A first-year player in the program as well. A tough inside midfielder who can play in the forward line.
Charlie McKinnon, North Warrnambool
Having his second year in the program. A third tall forward who is a good marking option and is also a nice kick for goal.
Fraser Molan, Mount Clear
He was one of the players who played in the grand final last year. Can play forward, midfield or in the back and is really versatile.
Levi Munyard, Horsham Saints
A first-year player with a high-end basketball background. Is a bottom-aged player.
Klay Nicholls, Portland
A tallish defender who is really reliable behind the ball. Was really good in the trial games.
Sam Niklaus, Warrnambool
He’s having his second year in the program and played five games last year. He is a small defender who is also studying in Melbourne.
Des O’Keefe, Koroit
First year in the program. A small pressure forward from Koroit.
Dom Penny, North Ballarat
First year in the program. A tall forward really high end endurance runner. Looking forward to seeing what he can do in his first year at the level.
Flynn Perry, Cobden
Comes back as a 19-year-old and is a 202cm ruckman. Has been training this pre-season with Port Melbourne in the VFL.
Brodie Phillips, Hamilton
Second year in the program. Is a key defender who played seven games last year. Will get plenty of opportunities this year.
Oliver Pittard, Redan
First year in the program. A running half back player who can play on the wing. Is a nice user of the ball and another player with great endurance.
Oliver Potter, Horsham
A small opportunistic forward. Potter is having his first year in the program as a bottom-ager.
Wil Rantall, South Warrnambool
A key defender with really good athletic capabilities. Coming back from a year of injuries so will be good to see him running. Is a 19-year-old player.
Wilbur Shea, North Ballarat
First year in the program as a top-ager. Had a great season at local level for North Ballarat’s under-17 and 19s last year and is a high end runner. Was really impressive in the pre-season.
Jack Sobey, Hamilton
First year in the program. A half back who is a strongly built and consistent player. Can play on the talls and the smalls.
Lachie Squire, North Ballarat
First year in the program. A small forward and is a really clever player who can create something from nothing.
Lenny Stephens, Camperdown
A small forward who is a clever outside player who is having his first year in the program. Can play as an outside midfielder as well.
Archie Taylor, Cobden
The speed machine. The fastest boy on our list and played last year. He’s in the Victoria Country squad this year and will be talked about a lot this year.
Patrick Toner, Ararat
A small defender in his first year in the program as a top-age player. Has ability to lock down and play on the small forwards.
Ethan Worthy, Horsham
First year in the program. Is really good overhead for his size and knows where the goals are.
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