The Rebels ventured to Reid Oval in Warrnambool for their home game against an in-form Geelong Falcons on Easter Sunday in front of a very large crowd of Hampden football followers and holiday makers.
Poor disposal from the Rebels resulted in an early goal to the Falcons, but a goal to Sam Dobson, quickly followed by another from Callum Currie within a minute restored order. Pleasingly, the Rebels were honouring leads by the forwards, but a fifty metre penalty for running over the mark handed the Falcons a soft goal. Nevertheless, the Rebels were playing the game on their own terms and winning centre clearances. Richard Bamblett backed himself with strong running to deliver accurately to Jeremy Cameron for a goal and Lucas Cook for a behind. Another soft goal to the Falcons, who were allowed to play on too easily, realized a two point lead to the Rebels at the first change, with Marcus Darmody racking up 10 possessions in an impressive defensive display.
Having won an early clearance at the start of the second quarter, the Rebels coughed up possession to allow another goal to the Falcons, and errors were proving costly. Successive goals to Sam Dobson, both on the end of strong running off half back from Coleman Schache and Callum Currie swung the momentum back to the Rebels, who were tackling hard and forcing errors. Scott Spriggs won a free kick to goal before the Falcons replied. Terrific forward pressure from the Rebels, who notched 31 tackles for the quarter, realized goals to Chris McMahon and Nick O’Brien, playing his first game for the season. The good work was undone however, with another fifty metre penalty converted by the Falcons who scored another goal on the siren. With a six point lead at the main change, and the contested ball won 26 to the Falcons 19, the Rebels were well and truly in the hunt.
The second half began with a dour struggle but Geelong scored a goal after 6 minutes and another three minutes later. Coleman Schache continued his strong running off the half back line, but the Rebels opted for short disposals, which did not provide the penetration seen in the first half. The Falcons were on top at the stoppages and a third goal without reply was of concern. A strong mark by Richard Bamblett, running against the flight of the ball, and his quick play on gave the ball to Lucas Cook, who snapped the goal. The Falcons scored another goal late in the quarter, but frittered away further opportunities and their lead was 17 points at the last change.
Another four behinds from Geelong, within 6 minutes of the last quarter kept the Rebels alive, and Tom MacDonald was moved to full forward, where he used his height to advantage to score two goals. However, the Falcons continued to run and create opportunities for their forwards, who continued to kick more behinds than goals, but maintained a comfortable lead to the end.
Despite a second loss, the Rebels managed to improve in key areas, winning many more frees than those given away and applying pressure consistently. This game also showed how competitive, and indeed dangerous, the Rebels can be when they move the ball quickly, with long and direct kicks.
This Saturday the Rebels will head to the QEO Oval in Bendigo and play the Dandenong Stingrays as part of the Victorian Country Triple Header game series.