GWV Rebels beat Oakleigh Chargers to make the grand final in Coates League

Already writing their own history, the GWV Rebels are ready for the team’s first grand final in 27 years and already have support from former AFL stars.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUG 18: Jett Grayland of the Rebels chases the ball during the 2024 Coates Talent League Boys Round 18 match between the Oakleigh Chargers and the GWV Rebels at RSEA Park on Aug 18, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Sidley/AFL Photos)

Win, lose or draw the Coates Talent League grand final, the 2024 Greater Western Victorian Rebels have been something special this year according to coach David Loader.

The Rebels qualified for their first grand final in 27 years with a four-point win over the Oakleigh Chargers.

The country team were down for most of the contest but fought back in the final term to win.

The Rebels kicked four goals to one to beat a Chargers side featuring Finn Sullivan and Jagga Smith who both could be selected at number one in this year’s draft.

Loader’s side also did it without their own potential top-five pick Sam Lalor who is out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

“The boys were awesome, they were absolutely brilliant,” Rebels coach David Loader said.

“The kids have been exceptional and there is a fair bit of resilience within some of those players playing for us.”

Given what the club has had to do in recent weeks it’s a major surprise the club has got this far.

In the first week of the finals the team went to Tasmania to beat the Devils in the wildcard playoff.

After securing a three-point win the Rebels then faced the number one team among country teams, the Geelong Falcons, who had beaten them twice during the season.

Jonty Faull, playing for Victoria Country earlier this year, kicked five goals in the preliminary final. Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Rebels stunned the Falcons to then face-off against the Chargers.

In previous years the Rebels have had great sides but have been unable to finish the season off as fatigue sets in.

Greater Western Victoria, like other country sides, have major hurdles with travel with players sometimes travelling multiple hours a week to train and play.

It’s part and parcel of the set up but this year things were different with injuries preventing the Rebels from having their best squad until finals.

Loader said a lack of fatigue had helped but this team was also doing special things.

“You could argue that because a lot of our top line players have only now played eight games instead of getting to this time of the year and they have played 24 or 25 games and have played flat out since February,” he said.

“Maybe we are a bit fresher than what we have been in the past. But the effort they have put in has been quite extraordinary when you look at what we’ve been able to do.

“This group is really special. We punch out of our weight range with the restrictions and population base.

“They have been super the past few weeks. It’s been great to see and there has been a lot of what we see as high talent players that have just found their best on the big stage.”

The performances have been eerily similar to the 1997 Rebels side who fought adversity as well to make the grand final.

It was then the Adam Goodes show with the future legend kicking six goals for the game to win the premiership.

Since 1997 the team has got close to making a grand final but fallen short.

From 2010 to 2015, the Rebels lost three preliminary finals before being one of the top teams in 2021 before Covid stopped play.

Loader said the 2024 team already has the support of the 1997 team.

“I got a text from Shane O’Bree who was the captain of the last winning team,” he said.

“He contacted me last night and said boy is it nice for the boys to be back in the big dance.

“We’ll draw on that and talk on that and the opportunity to make history.”

But standing in their way is a strong Sandringham Dragons outfit.

The Dragons will start as the favourites but Loader said the Rebels would try to put them under intense pressure.

“We’ve got to see if there is one more enormous game in this group,” Loader said.

“We’ll have a look at how we can try to stem some of the oppositions run. They are a very good side, Sandringham.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity and a great reward for effort. I couldn’t be more pleased with these boys and what they’ve done to get to this point in time.

“I don’t want it to be lost on that win, lose or draw this weekend. “The boys should be proud to achieve what they’ve done.”

The game will be held on Saturday at 1.15pm at Ikon Park.