GWV Rebels pick Hampden export as 2020 vice captain

The Vic Country representative will vice-captain the Rebels in 2020 alongside Horsham's Maggie Caris.

Ballarat's Chloe Leonard was named skipper.

Saulitis, 17, was one of seven Hampden league footballers named in the 38-player squad which was announced on Tuesday.

South Warrnambool pair Stella Bridgewater and Rosie Pickles, Portland duo Lashay Blurton and Elli Aitken and Hamilton Kangaroos' Mitzi Adamson and Kate Tomkins will also play for the Rhys Cahir-coached side.

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Saulitis, who boards at Ballarat Grammar and is now aligned to Ballarat league club East Point, said it was a thrill to earn a leadership role in her top-age season.

"I want to lead the girls' team to more wins and get around the younger players and really be a team," she said.

Saulitis admitted it was "a little bit of a surprise" but she was ready for added responsibility.

"I'd thought about the roles and I thought I'd try and do my best and get one," she said.

The creative forward, who has represented South Warrnambool in the past, said with female players taking up the game earlier and remaining committed, now AFLW was a possibility, the NAB League had increased in quality.

"We had a trial game and the umpires said they'd noticed a jump in the standard," she said.

The Rebels' season starts against Sandringham Dragons on February 29.

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