The Rebels were convincingly beaten in their second round clash against the Calder Cannons, 3.3 (21) to 12.7 (79).

Rebels team coordinator Krista Woodroofe said Friend looked composed in her first match.

"For her first game she was probably one of our best players for the day," Woodroofe said "She had very slick skills, showed a lot of composure when she had the football and really contested hard."

Friend made her debut alongside fellow Wimmera footballers Lauren Sykes, Maggie Caris, Katelyn Harris, Ella Wood and Nekaela Butler in the representative team.

While the Rebels were outclassed in the contest, Horsham Demon Lauren Sykes was busy in the backline and was named best on ground for the Rebels.

Woodroofe said it was a gallant performance from Sykes.

"She had the arduous task of being in the back line for the majority of the game, and considering the ball was inside their 50 for the large majority of the game she contested really well and didn't drop her head once," Woodroofe said.

"She always plays a positive brand of football. When needed to step up she went forward in the last quarter and kicked a goal too."

Horsham Saint Maggie Caris also fought hard in the ruck and was named the Rebels second best.

"I think on the day we probably won the majority of hitouts off her taps and her fitness across the day and tenacity going for the football really helped us," Woodroofe said.

Woodroofe said the side had learned a lot from the tough loss.

"It's just about fine tuning our skills over the coming weeks" she said.

"If we were to come up against them again later in the season we think we'll do a lot better."

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