The North Ballarat Rebels will meet an unexpected opponent in a TAC Cup under 18 football knock-out semi-final at Optus Oval on Saturday.
The Rebels face once-hot premiership favourite Eastern Ranges as they continue their quest for a second flag. Eastern Ranges were unbeaten before running into the Calder Cannons at the MCG yesterday.
The Rebels will not be fazed by the task. They will take this assignment in their stride after dispensing with the Tassie Mariners by 58 points in the first elimination final at Optus Oval yesterday.
Star forward Luke Brennan, a late inclusion, spearheaded the Rebels' victory in their first finals appearance since 1997. Floating between full forward and centre-half forward, he booted 5 goals after starting on the interchange bench. Brennan, who missed the last 2 home and away games with tendonitis of the knee was not originally selected for the clash with Tassie. However, after getting through training Friday night he stepped in for the injured Josh Thurgood, who will disappointingly miss the rest of the finals campaign with a broken collarbone.
Thurgood was thought to have escaped any serious damage, but was not so lucky.
Brad Sewell was a major contributor for the Rebels. The Victorian Country representative and on-baller typified North Ballarat's hard attack on the football, tackling and fearless approach.
All Australian under 16 player Troy Chaplin had a big day at centre half back, where he was able to keep the well credentialed Jesse Laycock under wraps. Laycock has played with Tasmania in the Victorian Football League.
Tristan Cartledge and Mark Nunn gave the Rebels a decided edge in the ruck and complemented their efforts with solid work at centre half forward.
First year player Corey Fagg played his best game of the season on a wing and Denni Turnbull was steady in the back pocket.
North Ballarat had Tassie in strife by quarter time. The Mariners opened up with a wind advantage and going to the first break with the scores locked up spelt trouble for the Apple Islanders.
By half time the Rebels led by 27 points and Tassie was unable to get back into the match against a tougher and bigger opposition who stepped up the pace and intensity.
North Ballarat coach Anthony Rock took the opportunity late in the day to rotate a variety of players through the interchange in an effort to keep his team as fresh as possible. The Rebels came out of the game without any new injury concerns and might have Michael Searle available this week after recovering from an ankle injury.
Saturday's final begins at 12.30pm.
North Ballarat Rebels 17.9 (111) d Tassie Mariners 8.5 (53)
Goals: Brennan 5, Goodes 2, Chester 2, Campbell, Fagg, Foster, Skewes, George, Nunn, Allan, Turnbull.
Best: Sewell, Chaplin, Cartledge, Fagg, Brennan, Turnbull
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:09