GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels coach Sally Riley is pleased with the training workload of her players over the preseason as the country region eyes off the first round of the 2025 Coates Talent League Girls season.

PRESEASON

“It’s been good. We’ve had our satellite training bases in Horsham, Warrnambool and Hamilton throughout the preseason and since Christmas we’ve selected squad of 32 players and they’ll now come together and train together on a Wednesday night. Just watching them today (Preseason Testing) they’re the fittest they’ve ever been which is awesome.”

TOP-AGE VIC COUNTRY HUB MEMBERS

Maggie Johnstone
Utility | 171cm | 06/06/2007

“Speaking of leaders, Maggie is that natural leader. She’s a people first person in terms of having those conversations and getting around others. But crosses that white line and is as competitive and wants to win. Really driven and again she’s been working really hard on backing herself which is one of her deficiencies, but we can’t say enough on how much we trust her on the field, she’s just got to trust herself. She’s fitter than ever, she’s put in a mountain of work across preseasons looking really strong. She’ll play through the midfield and forward for us.”

Jovie Skewes-Clinton
Tall Utility | 176cm | 15/11/2007

“Jovie’s another again, those two from two years ago when we met them. Athletically have just grown beyond our eyes due to their commitments. Gym sessions when no one’s watching and all those little extras. Jovie loves her footy and we’ll just keep encouraging her to love her footy and play the game without over thinking. Jovie’s really developed into a key tall down back but then we can throw her forward as well. Both those girls throughly enjoyed the country summer camp and has really motivated that they want more.”

>> PROFILED: 2025 Vic Country summer hub

OTHERS TO WATCH / OVER-AGERS

“Scarlett O’Donnell, she’s another Warrnambool girl and still raw at football. I think I probably flagged her this time last year, but again she had a bit of an injury. She’s technically a 19-year-old being 18 already but is in Year 12 in Warrnambool. Her growth and her natural footy smarts so we’re looking forward to seeing her this year.

“Brook Ward is another 19-year-old coming back with us who did her ACL 18 months ago so only just started coming back to footy last year so she’s another one to watch.”

BOTTOM-AGERS

“We’ve got Kate Aikman who has been training really well and has improved her skills over the summer. Milly Shortal is a competitive and athletic type player who we look forward to seeing.”

STYLE OF PLAY

“We’re not really tall or small, we’ve got a lot of versatility. Pretty versatile squad, and having girls from each region again they’ll play a variety of positions, but we do have a few more talls than previous years which is quite a luxury and to add in a bit of that speed. We’ll practice for some combinations and see how we go.”

ROUND 1

vs. Geelong Falcons
Saturday April 5, 11:00am
Mars Stadium