The list boasts nine players from the Wimmera with seven having the possibility of playing against the Falcons. 

Two players, Louis Beddison who has an ankle injury, and Naish McRoberts who has a finger injury, will not be selected for the round one fixture in the 2017 TAC Cup competition. 

The Rebels boast a young list this year, with a large portion of the players coming in as 17-year-olds. 

With inexperience somewhat evident in the side coach Gerard Fitzgerald understands his side will not be perfect immediately but has high hopes for the 2017 season. 

The Rebels have played several practice matches in the lead-up to the opening round. 

At the beginning of the year, the side played the Bendigo Pioneers. 

In the first game against the Pioneers, the Rebels matched up but in the second game the Bendigo outfit showed their experience and came away with the win. 

In the second practice game against the Falcons, the Rebels showed their inexperience and lost to a well-seasoned TAC Cup Falcons side. 

“We could tell the Falcons were more advanced but we expected that,” Fitzgerald said. 

“It’s part of how we do things here, we get the team together later than other sides in the TAC Cup because we want to give every player the best opportunity of making it into the side. 

“We don’t care about practice game scorelines, they are all about the talent identification of each player.” 

Fitzgerald had been very impressed with the Wimmera players selected in the side this year. 

“We have chosen to have a young squad this year so that we can fast-track their development and have a good foundation,” he said. 

The Wimmera Rebels players have been receiving extensive training by Fitzgerald and his coaching staff with him emphasising on visual feedback. 

This way players can watch their games and see first-hand what they could have changed to perform better on the day. 

Fitzgerald’s views on Wimmera players that could play in the first round: 

Thomas Berry of Horsham Saints: “Very happy with the young player, he will play as an outside midfielder and we will be looking at him to play further forward.” 

Jackson Taurau of Stawell Warriors: “He is well in the mix of some of our top players and we will be looking to play him behind the ball or up forward.” 

Paddy Turner of Ararat Rats: “I see him as a bit of a late developer, he’s got a big frame and once we teach him to balance, when to attack and when to defend he will be a top player.” 

Matty Lloyd of Horsham Demons: “Happy with him so far, we will be looking to play him behind the ball mostly.” 

Charlie Wilson of Warrack Eagles: “He has been quite impressive in both practice games, he goes in hard at the ball which is great.” 

Angus Gove of Horsham Saints: “He has been very impressive as a bottom aged player, he is very composed in traffic and rarely loses the ball – impressed.” 

Jack Antonio of Ararat Rats: “A young and developing player that hits the contest quite hard.”