GWV Rebels ruckman Darcy Hobbs follows brother's NAB League footsteps

The Terang Mortlake teenager's older brother Harry, now 20, has been through the elite under 18 pathway.

Hobbs, 17, was one of 50 talented footballers announced in Greater Western Victoria Rebels' 2020 intake on Wednesday.

He said his brother and dad Peter, a former Maskell Medal runner-up, had been important sounding boards.

"They've both been really good, Harry especially with the Rebels because he knew what it was like and what you have to put in," Hobbs said.

"I know this year I have the same number (37) as what he had when he did it a couple of years ago, so that's also a good thing.

"I am feeling pretty good, very privileged and happy to be in the squad."

Hobbs, who is yet to make his senior debut for the Bloods, said the NAB League presented him with an opportunity to fast-track his development.

"This is the first year I have tried out," the top-age prospect said.

"Going in I really just did it because there's a lot of good kids there and it was going to be the best pre-season I could have.

"Now I am in, I don't really have a specific goal, I guess it's to develop and hopefully at the end of the year look back and see that I've improved.

"The intensity is always high and the skills are always good (at Rebels' training).

"Sometimes you can train with your club and you can have poor skills but there every week you know you're going to have the highest of skills and everyone is nice and fit."

Hobbs, who also has an older sister Tayla, 23, and younger brother Hamish, 13, knows taller players take time to develop and is taking it in his stride.

"I don't know if I am 200 centimetres yet. I was 198cm when we first started the training late last year," he said.

"To be honest, I haven't measured myself since then but a lot of people think I am about that height.

"My mum (Lisa) is six foot and my dad (Peter) is about six-foot-four so they're both pretty tall."

Hobbs said VCE studies remained high on his priority list with the Mortlake College student, who lives on a dairy farm near Ellerslie, eager to keep his options open.

"School is a big factor as well and seeing how I can go there. With footy it's do the best I can and see where it takes me," he said.

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