Rebels with a cause

By Lachlan Ellis

Crosstown BFLW rivals will become teammates in this year’s Coates Talent League (formerly NAB League), with seven making the Greater Western Rebels’ squads, and one to play for the Western Jets.

Emma Stewart and Ruby Thomas (Bacchus Marsh Cobras) have been named in the Rebels’ Under 16 squad, while Chloe Oughtred (Darley Devils), Tahni Turner, Chloe Walker, Elise Cook, and Emma Smith (Bacchus Marsh Cobras) have made it into the Rebels’ Under 18s.

Jazzmine Dalli (Bacchus Marsh Cobras) will play for the Western Jets Under 18 side.

Emma Smith said making it to the AFLW was a dream, but she would take her footy one game at a time.

“I’m a bit excited and nervous, but mainly excited. I think it’ll be good seeing how we develop over the year, both as a group and individually. It was definitely a surprise, I didn’t get selected in interleague, V/Line, or the Rebels squad last year, so it was a surprise to be selected,” Ms Smith told the Moorabool News.

“I’d love to play for Collingwood one day, but playing for any AFLW team would be amazing…I’ll just keep moving forward and see how I go.”

Chloe Oughtred said it was something of a shock to be named in the Rebels’ squad, but she was happy her training and performance had been rewarded.

“I’m very excited, and keen to get started in a new program. I was pretty surprised to make the squad, I wasn’t sure if I was good enough because I hadn’t made the squad before. But I’m very happy that my hard work paid off and I made it in,” she said.

“Family and friends have been very excited for me and very supportive…they always come down to my games.”

There’s a buzz at both clubs about so many local girls making it to the next level of footy, with hopes high that they might join Bacchus Marsh’s Jemima Woods in signing on with an AFLW side.

Girls Football Coordinators Leanne Bassett (Bacchus Marsh) and Janelle Hoey (Darley) said they were beyond proud of the eight young women making Coates Talent League squads.

“It’s absolutely fantastic the young talent we’ve got in the local community, and supporting all the girls is what volunteers are here for, to support them in following their dreams getting to the next level, and hopefully the VFLW and AFLW,” Ms Bassett said.

“It’s exciting for the club and for the girls, and I hope to see a couple of girls go on and make it to the top level.”

“I’m very proud of Chloe [Oughtred] and the journey she has been on to get where she is today. She is a great role model for all our young Devils trying to reach their goals,” Ms Hoey added.

The Rebels’ Coates Talent League Under 18 Girls campaign begins on Saturday March 18 against the Geelong Falcons at Deakin University, while the Jets will face the Tasmania Devils at Dial Park after two bye rounds.

The Under 16s will play two matches across the weekends of March 18 – 19 and March 25 – 26.