Myles McCluggage aiming for NAB League debut in coronavirus-impacted 2020

The GWV Rebels-listed teenager is following in older brother Hugh's footsteps on the field, as part of the NAB League, and off field is trying to emulate the now-Brisbane midfielder's training standards.

Myles, 17, will put his hard work to the test when South Warrnambool plays its first game of the Hampden league under 18.5 season against Koroit on Saturday.

He is hoping strong performances for his home club will pique Rebels' selectors interest when competition starts on August 22 following a coronavirus-enforced hiatus.

The Allansford-raised Myles, who boards at Ballarat Clarendon College, said Hugh was happy to pass on his knowledge.

Hugh, now 22, is a former number three draft pick with 70 AFL games to his name.

"I am pretty lucky to have someone like that to ask for a few tips and tricks," Myles said of his older brother.

"When he's home I do a fair bit of training with him and try and do what he does and that is definitely beneficial because it's pretty tough stuff.

"We did a fair bit of running and a fair bit of stuff in the gym which is good because he is obviously an elite athlete so it's good to compare yourself with someone like that and set yourself some benchmarks."

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Myles was minutes away from his first game of 2020 last weekend when the Camperdown-South Warrnambool clash at Leura Oval was postponed due to a COVID-19 scare in Colac.

"We were in Camperdown. We were pretty much in the warm-up. I was changing into my gear and just about to get out and our senior coach 'Batters' (Mat Battistello) came over and was like 'boys we're not playing'," he said.

"Everyone was pretty shocked. It was a weird atmosphere. Everyone was pretty silent and then everyone just left."

Myles is now ready for take two against Koroit, which is coming off a convincing win against Port Fairy.

The outside midfielder said the chance to play football with his mates and prepare for a potential NAB League debut validated the four-hour round trip from Ballarat to Warrnambool each weekend.

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"I reckon it's worth it because at the moment I just want to play any footy I can," he said.

"Obviously missing heaps of footy already this year (due to the pandemic) with the Rebels, I just want to be out playing."

Myles is a bottom-age prospect at NAB League level and is hopeful of retaining his spot in 2021.

"It is re-assuring but you feel for blokes who are top-age and not getting much of a chance this year," he said.

"Hopefully they get a few games to impress (AFL selectors) but it is pretty exciting I might get the opportunity next year to play."

His short-term goal is to sneak a Rebels game or two this season but he conceded "you just don't know how they're going to do it with the shorter season".

The Rebels will feature in a reduced six-game season, starting against Geelong Falcons in round one.

Myles, who plays cricket for Allansford, sometimes alongside dad Sam, and dabbles in basketball and golf, is also making the most of his schooling in Ballarat after moving up in year 10.

"It's a good opportunity to come up here and it's a pretty good education," he said.

"I don't mind school, obviously not the most gifted but I try and work hard and do well in my studies and just play sport."

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