BFLW rising stars adorn Rebels squad

BFLW players make up nearly half of the Greater Western Victoria Rebels under-16 girls squad for 2026.

The Rebels last week unveiled a squad of 22 players for this season.

It comprised 10 BFLW players.

North Ballarat is best represented with four players, while Ballarat has three.

Redan (two players) and Sebastopol (one) are also featured.

A combined six of the North Ballarat and Ballarat players appeared in last year’s under-16 youth girls grand final, won by Ballarat White by 33 points.

They are last season’s BFLW under-16 joint best and fairest Tilly McErlain, Olivia Kennedy, Mary Hexter (Ballarat), Meg Murphy, Tiana Mangere and Taylor Young (North Ballarat).

The Roosters’ other representative, Sadie Harris, claimed the league’s under-14 girls MVP award last season.

The rest of the squad is comprised predominantly of Wimmera and Hampden league players.

Koroit features heavily with four players.

The squad is complemented by four train on or emergency players.

Rebels under-16 girls squad: Rubiee-Jane Crisp (Warracknabeal), Matilda Cutts (Sebastopol), Zoe Dobson (Koroit), Lucy Howland (Warrnambool), Tiana Mangere (North Ballarat), Edie Batt (Koroit), Emma Betts (Redan), Sadie Harris (North Ballarat), Charli Jago (South Warrnambool), Mary Hexter (Ballarat), Taylor Young (North Ballarat), Nikaiah Murfett (Terang-Mortlake), Meg Murphy (North Ballarat), Leayla Pohl (Cavendish), Lily Shand (Koroit), Rose Warner (Hepburn), Lena Watty (Port Fairy), Tessa Wilson (Redan), Olivia Kennedy (Ballarat), Tilly McErlain (Ballarat), Scarlett Pearce (Koroit), Zarah Timpson (North Warrnambool).

Train on players: Elfie Bourgher-Hughson (South Warrnambool), Elsie Finnigan (Koroit), Chloe Stockdale (Horsham Demons), Zara Basar (Ballarat).