The Rebels U/16 Development Squad has completed a very successful 2009 AFL Victoria U/16 Country Championships at Bendigo.
Victories on the field against Bendigo Pioneers on Friday, April 17 and Dandenong Stingrays on Sunday, April 19 were due reward for the hard working and talented squad. All players in the 24 member squad made significant contributions to the on-field performance across the two games. The benefit of training together as a complete group on several occasions was highlighted by the ability of the team to put together many high quality passages of play during the two games.
An important aspect of the U/16 program was the Development Day held in Ballarat nine days prior to the carnival. The squad participated in a five hour training and development program that included sessions on the oval with AFL Victoria High Performance Manager Leon Harris, Roosters' coach Gerard FitzGerald and Rebels' coach Glenn Wilkins, a video analysis session and detailed information relating to hydration, rehabilitation and recovery.
During the carnival the squad members also attended the TAC Cup game played between the Rebels and Gippsland Power on Saturday. Each player was given the task of preparing a match assessment on one of the U/18 Rebels players. This assists the players to further understand the feedback process undertaken by the coaching staff after each match. Players were also included in pre-match talks by U/18 coaching staff and during the breaks.
Overall, a great weekend of football interaction for the members of the squad as they gained their first major insight into the TAC Cup program and the talented player pathway. Several members of the U/16 Development Squad will continue to train with the U/18 group over the next few weeks following their selection to the Victoria Country U/16 state squad that will train towards the national championships in July.
Day One
North Ballarat
Rebels 6.3 10.10 13.16 20.18 (138)
Bendigo Pioneers 1.2 5.5 8.6 10.7 (67)
Goals: Nick O'Brien 6, Darcy Watchorn 3, Sam Dobson 2, Jimmy Rodgers 2, Keenan George 2, Callum Hobbs, Tony Lockyer, Jack Jess, Rory Taggert, Will Pomorin.
Best: Nick O'Brien, Will Pomorin, Sam Dobson, Peter Lulham, Callum Hobbs, Rory Taggert.
Day Two
North Ballarat
Rebels 2.3 4.4 7.10 10.15 (75)
Dandenong Stingrays 1.1 5.1 6.2 7.3 (45)
Goals: Nick O'Brien 2, Sam Dobson 2, Zane Thompson, Jimmy Rodgers, Keenan George, Tony Lockyer, Peter Lulham, Todd Curran.
Best: Tony Lockyer, Jarryd Graham, Fred Stephan, Karl Beddison, Sebastian Ross, Todd Curran, Rory Taggert.
Last Modified on 23/04/2009 16:11