GREATER Western Victoria Rebels have had two consecutive wins after a strong second half against the Eastern Ranges in TAC Cup competition at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday.
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The Rebels won 18.14 (122) to 10.9 (69).
Five Wimmera players were chosen as part of the squad.
The players were Jackson Taurau and Naish McRoberts of Stawell Warriors, Matty Lloyd of Horsham Demons, Charlie Wilson of Warrack Eagles and Thomas Berry of Horsham Saints.
Angus Gove of the Saints was an emergency.
Jordan Johnston was a stand-out in the 53-point victory, providing a strong forward target with six goals and nine marks.
Coach Gerard FitzGerald said there had been too much variation between the team’s best and worst in the first few matches of the season.
While the Rebels have evened out with more consistency over the past two matches, an untidy start had the Eastern Ranges kicking the first three goals of the game.
The Ranges’ first four majors came from two free kicks including a 50-metre penalty and two direct turnovers.
But FitzGerald said the players’ discipline improved after quarter time, and their stoppages and tackling after half-time, which helped open up the game.
“We won the stoppages after half-time after being beaten early and our tackling effort after half-time was terrific – we had 45 tackles and anything beyond 40 is very pleasing,” he said.
The Rebels had also improved in their aggressiveness in the forward half and in their one on one contests, FitzGerald said.
“Our inside 50 count was very high – we went inside 59 times to the opposition’s 38.”
But it was not all good news for the Rebels.
FitzGerald said some players had come away with injuries and would need to make the most of their eight-day break.
“It was a fairly physical game with relatively heavy conditions in the middle of the ground so there is a fair bit of soreness that will have to be assessed,” he said.
“The players have been advised to not waste any hours... the most important thing is how well the boys do their rehab and their recovery in the first 24 to 48 hours.”
McRoberts played one of his best games since returning to the side and kicked two majors.
The young Warrior managed the most possessions for the side racking up 27.
Berry had put in another consistent performance with his name in the bests again.
He had 18 possessions.
