MAXIMISING opportunities to compete in a COVID-interrupted era means Greater Western Victoria Rebels will now play football on what was originally scheduled as a bye round.
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The Rebels will host NAB League rival Geelong Falcons at Ballarat's Mars Stadium on Sunday.
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It comes after their match against Northern Territory, which was planned for Sunday just gone, ran into a circuit-breaker lockdown roadblock.
An easing of restrictions in country Victoria, which allows junior sport to resume, has paved the way for the Rebels-Falcons' match up.
The Rebels, who feature a host of Hampden league products and pride themselves on being a stepping stone into higher competitions, including the AFL, take a 4-0 record into the match against the Falcons.
The two teams met in round one with the Rebels winning 12.9 (81) to 9.4 (58).
New Rebels talent manager Damian Ross said it was imperative to give players, many of whom were denied a chance to play at all in 2020, regular matches.
"There's going to be lot of restrictions and it's going to be quite challenging to manage but we'll get the boys back on the park and that's the main thing," he said.
Rebels coach David Loader said getting a match organised was a positive result.
"Circumstances will be monitored very closely but right now it's fantastic to be playing football this weekend," he said.
"I am extremely pleased how the group continues to accept the challenges each week, and as a coaching group that's all we can ask.
"We have had some great games against the Falcons over the years and we are looking forward to this being no different."
A strong south-west contingent will represent the Rebels on Sunday - South Warrnambool's Archie Stevens, Myles McCluggage and Marcus Herbert, Warrnambool's Angus Bade, Camperdown's Hamish Sinnott, Portland's Jamieson Ballantyne, Penshurst's Josh Rentsch and North Warrnambool Eagles' Ben Kellett and Jett Bermingham.
Tom Baulch (Koroit) was named as an emergency.
Fraser Marris (South Warrnambool) had been named to play but was ruled out as he's 19 and the state government has only permitted play for those aged 18 and under.
Ross said he'd been pleased with the south-west players' output this season.
He said Rentsch, coming off a five-goal haul, was establishing himself as a leader on and off the field.
"When it gets to that pointy end and (AFL) clubs are hopefully interested, it's not just about his technical stuff, it's about what he can bring to an environment as well," Ross said.
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Justine McCullagh-Beasy
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
