Local young guns’ chance to impress on home turf

BALLARAT pair Ethan Drever and Jackson O’Brien will get the opportunity to enhance their AFL National Draft prospects in front of a home crowd when they line up for Victoria Country at the 2026 Marsh AFL National Under-18 Championships.

As part of the championships, Mars Stadium will host four matches over the next three weeks, two of them involving Victoria Country.

Drever, from Ballarat Swans, and O’Brien, from Lake Wendouree, are among five Greater Western Rebels players in the Victoria Country squad.

Victoria Country will play South Australia at Mars Stadium on Wednesday, 8 July, and back-up against Vic Metro on Sunday 19 July.

The venue will play host to two other games – Victoria Metro v Allies this Sunday, 28 June, and Allies v Western Australia on 8 July.

This year marks the first time championship games will be played at Mars Stadium.

AFL head of talent Nicky Couston said the matches in Ballarat would highlight the country’s best school-age football talent from across the country.

“The Marsh AFL National Championships are the highest level of representative football and provide emerging players an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage,” she said.

“We’re looking forward to hosting four matches at Mars Stadium this year and having the next generation of stars from across Australia display their talent in front of the Ballarat community.”

Drever, the Rebels captain, is enjoying another stellar season in the Coates Talent League, having been named in the side’s best players in seven of the eight games he has played.

He also featured in the best players in Victoria Country’s national championships opener against The Allies on 14 June.

O’Brien, a 204cm ruckman, has featured in the Rebels’ best players three times in his eight games this season.

For those unable to attend, matches will be broadcast via the AFL Match Centre on AFL.com.au and the AFL app.

Greater Western Victoria Rebels in Victoria Country squad: 4. Ethan Drever (Ballarat); 14. Archie Elliott (Horsham); 22. Klay Nicholls (Portland); 26. Leo Ellerton (South Warrnambool); 37. Jackson O’Brien (Lake Wendouree).

Mars Stadium games:

Sunday, 28 June, 11am: Victoria Metro v Allies.

Wednesday, 8 July, 10.30am: Victoria Country v South Australia.

Wednesday, 8 July, 1pm: Allies v Western Australia.

Sunday, 19 July, 11am: Victoria Country v Victoria Metro.