NAB League: Greater Western Victoria Rebels’ best 20 players of all time ranked
A long list of famous names have enjoyed decorated AFL careers after coming out of NAB League club Greater Western Victoria Rebels. We’ve had a crack at ranking the best 20. Did we get it right?
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The strength of a list can be judged by who misses the cut.
The Greater Western Victoria Rebels have produced several big names since entering Victoria’s top under-18 competition in 1993.
Having also been known as the Ballarat Rebels and North Ballarat Rebels since their inception, decorated figures Adam Goodes, Drew Petrie and Brad Sewell are among those to have come through the club.
Our top-20 list of the Rebels’ best ever players is chock-full of talent, with the likes of Clinton Young, Nick Suban, James Walker, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Jacob Hopper, Oscar McDonald, Dan Butler, Marty Gleeson and Daniel Rioli unlucky to be overlooked.
20. HUGH MCCLUGGAGE
The No. 3 selection in the 2016 AFL National Draft is set to be ranked much higher on this list in years to come after establishing himself as one of the leading wingmen in the AFL. Good judges had McCluggage in All-Australian contention in 2019 as he averaged more than 22 possessions and also showed his ability in attack. He was rewarded with a third-placed finish in Brisbane Lions’ best-and-fairest award. The 22-year-old is yet to play 100 games but is on the cusp of being a star of the competition.
19. MATT ROSA
The highly-respected Rosa punched out 207 games in a fine AFL career after coming out of the Rebels program. The midfielder featured during a successful era for West Coast, where he played 168 matches, the last being the 2015 grand final. He then requested a trade to the Gold Coast Suns and made another 39 appearances at the top level, providing valuable leadership and guidance to a young playing group. He called time at the end of his career in 2018 and is a life member at West Coast.
18. JED ADCOCK
Adcock was snapped up at pick No. 33 in the 2003 draft and spent 13 seasons at the top level as a defender/midfielder. He spent 12 years at the Brisbane Lions, playing 206 games, before finishing his career at the Western Bulldogs as a rookie. He logged top-three finishes in the Lions’ best-and-fairest twice (in 2005 and 2007) and was in the All-Australian squad in 2007. Adcock was also Brisbane’s skipper for two seasons, sharing the role with Jonathan Brown in 2013. He was a dependable performer, notching 20 games of more in eight seasons.
17. TROY CHAPLIN
A product of the Maryborough Rovers and Rebels, Chaplin made life difficult for opposition forwards over a 13-year career in the AFL ranks. Respected for his leadership and professionalism, the key defender played 140 games for Port Adelaide from 2004-2012 before making the switch to Richmond as a free agent, where he made 75 appearances in four years. Chaplin finished third in the Tigers’ best-and-fairest in his first season at Punt Rd, but by 2016 he was squeezed out of the senior side and retired.
16. NATHAN BROWN
A member of Collingwood’s 2010 premiership side, Brown was a fine backman capable of curtailing some of the league’s best forwards. Known for his spoils and one-percenters in the defensive half, he played 183 games (130 for the Magpies and 53 for St Kilda) in 14 seasons. He confirmed his retirement in July after exiting the Saints’ Queensland hub amid the coronavirus crisis.
15. JORDAN ROUGHEAD
Another former Rebels player who has taken the field for two AFL clubs, Roughead has earned a reputation as a fine key defender or back-up ruckman. The 29-year-old cousin of Hawthorn champion Jarryd played a key role in the Western Bulldogs’ drought-breaking 2016 flag, accumulating 17 hit-outs and 13 disposals as the Dogs toppled the Sydney Swans. He departed Whitten Oval two years later for Collingwood and is in his second season at the Magpies, where he has nailed down a spot in the club’s defence.
14. DAVID ASTBURY
A product of Tatyoon and the Rebels, Astbury is a key member of Richmond’s much-vaunted defence and a dual premiership player, featuring in the Tigers’ drought-breaking 2017 triumph and 2019 flag. The 29-year-old was injury prone early in his career but has since developed into a dependable backman who provides great leadership for one of the AFL’s leading sides.
13. TOM MCDONALD
McDonald spent the formative stages of his AFL career as a capable defender after he was taken at pick No. 52 in the 2010 draft. By 2017, he had shown glimpses of his ability in attack for Melbourne, bagging 23 goals for the season. A move forward the following year reaped huge dividends with McDonald booting 53 goals in a career-best season as the Demons advanced to a preliminary final. He has struggled to replicate that form since but has been a consistent performer at the top level. Since 2012, he has finished in the top-10 in Melbourne’s best-and-fairest award each year, placing third in 2012 and 2015.
12. SHANE O’BREE
A ball-winning midfielder who could rack up big numbers, O’Bree established himself as a classy AFL player during his time at Collingwood, making 227 appearances over an 11-year career with the Magpies. He featured in the club’s 2002 and 2003 losing grand final sides and was overlooked in 2010. He racked up 544 disposals in 2009 and topped the 400 mark on seven occasions at Collingwood. O’Bree, who came out of Beaufort Football Club, spent two seasons at the Brisbane Lions in 1998 and 1999 before his move interstate.
11. SHAUN GRIGG
The midfielder played 214 games over a 13-year career with Carlton and Richmond after coming out of Redan and the Rebels. But his selfless act to retire in May last year after battling knee and hip issues paved the way for Marlion Pickett to be snapped up by the Tigers in the mid-season draft and play in a premiership on debut in a heartwarming AFL story. Grigg was a member of Richmond’s 2017 flag, finished fifth in the best-and-fairest in 2012 and 2016 and is a life member. Universally respected.
10. TIM NOTTING
The versatile Notting was a member of Brisbane Lions’ golden era, playing in flags in 2001 and 2002 before missing the 2003 triumph because of injury. Known for his kicking and ability to fill multiple positions, he made 208 appearances at the elite level and kicked 138 goals for the Lions over 12 seasons. Notting was a member of the club’s Team of the Decade – a side chock-full of stars – was later crowned a life member and finished third in the best-and-fairest in 2007.
9. JAMES FRAWLEY
The East Ballarat Junior Football Club product was quick to make his mark in the AFL ranks after he was taken at pick No. 12 by Melbourne in the 2006 draft. By 2010, at the age of 21, he had established himself as a genuine talent in defence and was rewarded with selection in the All-Australian team and a runner-up finish in the club’s best-and-fairest. After 139 games with the Demons, he made the switch to Hawthorn in 2015 and featured in the Hawks’ grand final victory over West Coast as they completed a three-peat.
8. JAKE LLOYD
Lloyd has developed himself into a commanding presence across halfback for the Sydney Swans after being snapped up in the 2013 rookie draft. The clean ball user averaged more than 27 possessions a game from 2016-19 and was crowned best-and-fairest in 2018 after finishing runner-up the previous year. He was also named in the All-Australian squad in 2018. Lloyd started at the Horsham Demons before coming through the Rebels and is approaching 150 games for the Swans.
7. BRAD CROUCH
Crouch is yet to reach 100 AFL games but he has made a significant impact in the middle of the ground for Adelaide. Groin surgery ruined his 2018 campaign, but Crouch showed his class the following year to claim the Crows’ best-and-fairest award. The busy midfielder played all 22 games, averaging just over 30 possessions, five tackles and five clearances. The 26-year-old came through Ballarat and Beaufort before earning his chance at the Rebels.
6. SEB ROSS
There is no question mark over the ball-winning ability of the 27-year-old cousin of Jobe Watson. Ross is two-time best-and-fairest winner (he saluted in 2017 and 2019) and the vice-captain provides valuable leadership at St Kilda. He averages about 24 possessions during his 143-game career, returning a massive haul of 43 in a 2018 fixture against Essendon. The midfielder was drafted by the Saints at pick No. 25 in 2011 after coming through Horsham and the Rebels.
5. MATT CROUCH
Like his brother, Matt has no trouble racking up huge possessions in the midfield for Adelaide. He averages more than 28 disposals during his career and returned 47 touches against the Western Bulldogs last year. He enjoyed a fine 2017 season, claiming the Malcolm Blight Medal for the best-and-fairest player at the Crows to go with All-Australian selection. Crouch’s team also made the grand final that year but came up short against Richmond. The 25-year-old was taken at pick No. 23 in the 2013 draft.
4. BRAD SEWELL
The hard-nosed midfielder was a model of consistency during his 12-year career at Hawthorn. One of the success stories of the rookie draft, Sewell played 200 games and featured in the Hawks’ 2008 and 2013 premierships. By 2006, he was one of the club’s stars and finished third in the best-and-fairest. He claimed the Peter Crimmins Medal the following year and built a reputation as one of the competition’s toughest and most respected players during his time in brown and gold. Sewell retired in 2014 after he was left of Hawthorn’s grand final side.
3. DREW PETRIE
Petrie filled several roles during his fine career at North Melbourne, but he was at his best in the attacking 50m arc, topping the Kangaroos’ goalkicking on five occasions and earning selection in the All-Australian team in 2011. He called time on his career after a season at West Coast in 2017, finishing with 444 goals from 332 games over 17 seasons. The Ballarat Football Club product booted a career-best 58 goals in 2012 but was also more-than capable as a key backman or ruckman. Petrie second on North’s all time games list after making 316 appearances for the club.
2. JEREMY CAMERON
The fact Cameron is No. 2 in this list at the age of 27 is testament to his enormous talent. The GWS Giants star has booted over 400 goals since making his debut in 2012 and claimed the Coleman Medal with 75 majors last year as the Giants qualified for their maiden grand final. He also booted 63 goals in 2015, 62 in 2013 and 53 in 2016, underlining his consistency. Cameron, who grew up in Dartmoor, was named in the All-Australian team in 2013 and 2019 and has been the Giants’ leading goalkicker in each of their eight seasons in the AFL.
1. ADAM GOODES
Who else? Goodes’ place among the AFL’s greats is not in dispute after a decorated 372-game career. His battles with Chris Judd during the height of the Sydney-West Coast rivalry provided much joy for footy fans and Goodes could be a threat in any part of the ground, as evidenced by his career tally of 464 goals. He left the AFL at the end of 2015 as a two-time Brownlow medallist (2003 and 2006), dual premiership player (2005 and 2012) and three-time club best-and-fairest (2003, 2006 and 2011). He also earned All-Australian selection four times (2003, 2006, 2009 and 2011) and was Sydney’s leading goalkicker in three consecutive seasons (2009, 2010, 2011). Throw in an AFL Rising Star nod in 1999 and Indigenous Team of the Century selection, and you have a true champion.
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