Sport
29 March, 2022
Cobden juniors selected for Rebels opener
FIVE junior footballers from Cobden have been named in the Greater Western Victoria Rebels squads when they head to Bendigo to play the Pioneers on Saturday for this week’s opening round of the NAB League, Victoria’s statewide junior football competition.
FIVE junior footballers from Cobden have been named in the Greater Western Victoria Rebels squads when they head to Bendigo to play the Pioneers on Saturday for this week’s opening round of the NAB League, Victoria’s statewide junior football competition.
Henry Robertson has been named in the Rebels’ under 18 squad, while his brother Jonty, alongside Ben McGlade, Flynn Penry and Rhys Unwin have all been selected for the under 16s.
Cobden under 16s coach Brett Taylor said that while the boys’ selections reflected well on the football club and its focus on junior development, all credit had to go to the young footballers and their dedication over the past few years.
“The coaches have played their part, but those players have all put in a lot of hard work too,” he said.
“They’ve worked really hard and did a lot through lockdowns, they’re really self-motivated, and they drive each other a bit too.
“They’ve all done really well, but it does reflect a bit on how the club is putting its efforts into junior development, to create an atmosphere for our young kids to want to be there and improve.”
Taylor said the younger four in particular were all mates, having gone through their football journey together so far.
“They’ve all gone through Mercy College together, and played all their junior footy together at Cobden, so they’re all pretty close,” he said.
Taylor said that Henry would no doubt prove himself valuable to the Rebels’ under 18 coaches.
“Henry’s a half-forward, on-baller, who uses the ball well, his decision-making’s really good,” he said.
“He’s always keen to listen and take on advice, and he always does everything he’s asked. He’s a coach’s dream.”
The under 16s foursome could potentially form the spine of the Rebels’ side, spanning positions across all areas of the ground.
“Jonty’s similar to Henry, always in and around the contest, making the right decisions, and his skill level’s high,” Taylor said.
“Flynn’s a 200cm ruckman with a lot of mobility, high skill level, and good decision-making too.
“Ben’s a tall key backman, very quick and athletic, and he attacks the ball well.
“Rhys is electrifying, he can turn a game in a couple of minutes with the way he plays. He’s small, elusive, and does things what make you think how did he do that?”
Cobden’s junior coaches will watch on to see how the boys’ Rebels experiences help them develop, and Taylor said all five would be playing above their age bracket for the club.
“That’s the plan, to get them a bit of exposure at higher level footy,” he said.
“It’ll obviously depend on how much game time they play and how they pull up, but I’d imagine the younger four will play some under 18s through the year, and Henry will play some seniors.”
