WHILE season 2025 ended on a disappointing note for the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels when losing to the Bendigo Pioneers, the western Victoria-based region still had plenty of highlights throughout the year.

SEASON 2025

SNAPSHOT

Played: 14
Won: 6
Lost: 8

BEST PERFORMANCE

Round 14: def. Gippsland Power by 7 points

While the Rebels had some far bigger wins in season 2025, perhaps none were more impressive than a seven-point victory over Gippsland Power. Coming from 19 points down at the final change, the Rebels piled on five goals to one to hit the front late in the match thanks to a Maggie Johnstone goal. The result showed the Rebels’ potential and were unlucky not to make finals having had more wins than Northern Knights who did.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

Maggie Johnstone (South Warrnambool)
Midfielder/Forward | 171cm | 06/06/2007

Stats [13 games]: 21.0 disposals, 3.4 marks, 4.4 tackles, 4.2 clearances, 4.7 inside 50s, 2.0 rebound 50s, 14 goals

One of the massive draft bolters in 2025 AFLW Draft, Johnstone’s promising signs she showed as a bottom-ager have developed into consistent impact throughout her top-age campaign. Powerful on the inside with a penetrating right boot, Johnstone is so strong overhead and a tenacious tackler as well. Be in through the middle or inside 50, she has a high impact-per-possession for whatever team she plays for. Had a huge national carnival to win All-Australian honours as well.

Jovie Skewes-Clinton (Ballarat)
Tall Forward/Defender | 176cm | 15/11/2007

Stats [12 games]: 17.3 disposals, 3.3 marks, 4.8 tackles, 2.6 inside 50s, 1.8 rebound 50s, 22 goals

Boasting serious X-factor, Skewes-Clinton started her Rebels journey as a defender, then became more 50/50 between back and forward, and ended the year as a primary forward after some big goal hauls. Booting just under two goals per game, Skewes-Clinton has been the match-winner on a few occasions by stepping up when her side needed her. She is clever in the air and quick at ground level making her a nightmare matchup for an opposition.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Elsie Conroy (Ballarat)
Tall Defender | 172cm | 19/08/2007

Stats [9 games]: 15.3 disposals, 2.9 marks, 2.2 tackles, 1.3 inside 50s, 7.7 rebound 50s

A rock solid defender who did miss a little bit of time late in the year, Conroy still earned Vic Country representation off the back of a consistent start to 2025. Competitive overhead with a booming kick, Conroy can play both a negating and offensive role from the last line, and work well with other defenders to clear the ball from the danger zone. Racked up the ball thanks to being a designated kicker at times.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

GWV Rebels’ top prospect for 2026 is explosive tall midfielder Milly Shortal, with the left-footer grabbing a Vic Country Under 18s debut in the final game against South Australia. She was a strong clearance player and able to pump the ball forward, while having the traits to also fill out a secondary position up either end. Her marking is a work in progress, but a lot else in her game is a big tick.

A couple of others who showed promising signs at different points were Alexandra Oldaker who ran hard as a tall wing, and Lila Evans who impressed through the midfield later in the year. From a double bottom-age perspective, tall forward Jayda Wright and fellow Vic Country Under 16s representative Ivy Roberts were others who got their opportunities with the Rebels’ Talent League side this season.