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.<\/p>\n
As part of the championships, Mars Stadium will host four matches over the next three weeks, two of them involving Victoria Country.<\/p>\n
Drever, from Ballarat Swans, and O’Brien, from Lake Wendouree, are among five Greater Western Rebels players in the Victoria Country squad.<\/p>\n
Victoria Country will play South Australia at Mars Stadium on Wednesday, 8 July, and back-up against Vic Metro on Sunday 19 July.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This year marks the first time championship games will be played at Mars Stadium.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He also featured in the best players in Victoria Country’s national championships opener against The Allies on 14 June.<\/p>\n
O’Brien, a 204cm ruckman, has featured in the Rebels’ best players three times in his eight games this season.<\/p>\n
For those unable to attend, matches will be broadcast via the AFL Match Centre on AFL.com.au and the AFL app.<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
Mars Stadium games:<\/p>\n
Sunday, 28 June, 11am: Victoria Metro v Allies.<\/p>\n
Wednesday, 8 July, 10.30am: Victoria Country v South Australia.<\/p>\n
Wednesday, 8 July, 1pm: Allies v Western Australia.<\/p>\n
Sunday, 19 July, 11am: Victoria Country v Victoria Metro.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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, […]<\/p>\n