{"id":217918,"date":"2026-06-23T18:52:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T08:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=217918"},"modified":"2026-06-23T18:52:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T08:52:49","slug":"scouting-notes-rebels-get-it-done-in-dour-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/06\/23\/scouting-notes-rebels-get-it-done-in-dour-conditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Scouting Notes: Rebels get it done in dour conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>GWV REBELS snapped a two-game losing streak in style, getting the better of Murray Bushrangers in typically stifling Craigieburn conditions on Saturday. The Rebels did most of their damage after half time, kicking six goals to one to run out comfortable 49-point victors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was no surprise to see Rebels captain and first round prospect <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"164979\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/ethan-drever\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ethan Drever<\/a> lead all comers with 30 disposals, as his side rolled out a handful of Vic Country representatives. Bottom-ager <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"194436\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/lincoln-brand\/\" target=\"_blank\">Lincoln Brand<\/a> was the Bushies&#8217; main form of resistance as they fell to 1-8-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.7 (19)<br>GWV REBELS 2.4 | 3.5 | 5.12 | 9.14 (68)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>GOALS:<\/strong><br><strong>Murray Bushrangers:<\/strong> A. Hueston, A. Williams<br><strong>GWV Rebels:<\/strong> A. Elliott 2, L. Munyard 2, E. Drever, T. Faull, H. Metcher, L. Petrie, D. Rizzoli<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BEST:<br>Murray Bushrangers: <\/strong>L. Brand, C. Webster, B. Sofra, A. Williams, J. Porter, M. Calleja<strong><br>GWV Rebels: <\/strong>E. Drever, H. Welsh, K. Nicholls, A. Elliott, J. Connolly, L. Pring<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<div class=\"t7_match_result match-result-comparison rmc-block is-match-preview\">\n<div class='match-result_legend'><ul><li>Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class='match-result_team'><ul><li class='column-head'><h5 class='heading title h5'>Murray Bushrangers<\/h5><img src='https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/murray-150x150.jpg' \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class='match-result_team'><ul><li class='column-head'><h5 class='heading title h5'>GWV Rebels<\/h5><img src='https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/GWV-Rebels-150x150.png' \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p><strong>MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#2 <\/strong><a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"184178\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/blake-sofra\/\" target=\"_blank\">Blake Sofra<\/a><br><strong>Midfielder\/Forward | 176cm | 13\/03\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stats: <\/strong>18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On a day where the conditions suited smalls, Sofra was among the best of them. Rotating between the midfield and forwardline, he showed class amid the several scrambles with clean handling and flashy spurts of agility. Sofra was able to attack the loose ball and scoop it up at speed, making good on being low to the ground. The left-footer was often composed with ball in hand and looked to make something happen, which was tough amid heavy rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#7 <\/strong><a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"194436\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/lincoln-brand\/\" target=\"_blank\">Lincoln Brand<\/a><br><strong>Midfielder | 188cm | 19\/05\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stats: <\/strong>29 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brand was built for wet weather footy, possessing a clean set of hands and the strong frame to break open congestion. He crashed in at stoppages and tackled hard, but was also able to extract the ball and use his power to either absorb pressure or step to the outside. Balancing out his inside game, Brand had no trouble finding the ball in transition, racking up 12 handball receives and showing composure as he looked forward. He delivered the ball inside 50 six times, using both feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#16 <\/strong><a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"210064\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/cooper-webster\/\" target=\"_blank\">Cooper Webster<\/a><br><strong>Defender | 186cm | 03\/04\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stats: <\/strong>22 disposals, 6 marks, 10 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Webster helped his side absorb the weight of GWV&#8217;s 63 forward-50 entries, providing a cool head across the last line. Playing a sweeping role, he was consistently there to outnumber and mop up the spills, but also had the aerial power to split marking contests. Webster was among the kick-in takers and distributed the ball with minimal fuss, while playing the conditions well to surge forward in any way possible. The damage would have been greater if not for his presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#20 <\/strong><a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"184173\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/angus-williams\/\" target=\"_blank\">Angus Williams<\/a><br><strong>Key Forward\/Defender | 193cm | 13\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stats: <\/strong>18 disposals, 5 marks, 5 rebound 50s, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Williams played roles at either end of the ground, starting forward before doing a mountain of work down back after half time. He presented hard up the ground as a forward, showing great mobility to provide a marking target up the line. He slotted the game\u2019s first goal from a free kick, but arguably looked most at home in defence where he could read the play and intercept. Williams was difficult to beat in the air and stayed engaged at ground level as a wall deep inside Murray&#8217;s d50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>GWV REBELS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#4 <\/strong><a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"164979\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/ethan-drever\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ethan Drever<\/a><br><strong>Midfielder | 188cm | 10\/07\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stats: <\/strong>30 disposals, 6 marks, 6 clearances, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even in the most dour conditions, Drever looked a level above the rest. He handled the ball better than anyone and used it near-perfectly by hand, showing great poise with every touch. His elite distributive skills and sheer power were assets at stoppage, while he got to show some dynamism with combination play through the corridor. As is becoming tradition, Drever slammed home a running goal in the fourth term straight out the front of a centre ball-up. All class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#6 <\/strong><a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"210926\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/harrison-welsh\/\" target=\"_blank\">Harrison Welsh<\/a><br><strong>Midfielder | 179cm | 23\/08\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stats: <\/strong>26 disposals, 6 marks, 12 tackles, 10 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Complimenting Drever in midfield, Welsh provided dangerous spurts of speed in the attacking phase. He had the hands and core strength to impact at stoppage, before using that turn of foot to break away and launch kicks inside 50. Welsh was then prominent in transition and surged the ball forward at all costs. He was also willing to tackle hard, cracking in to lay a game-high 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#14 <\/strong><a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"184109\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/archie-elliott\/\" target=\"_blank\">Archie Elliott<\/a><br><strong>Forward | 182cm | 10\/08\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elliott was GWV\u2019s main attacking avenue, providing a focal point with his leading patterns in the final third. While able to hold his own aerially, Elliott was just as threatening at ground level and generally attacked each contest with vigour. He gained reward for such competitiveness with two goals and had chances for more, although it was a difficult day to get clean looks at the big sticks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#22 <\/strong><a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"184160\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/klay-nicholls\/\" target=\"_blank\">Klay Nicholls<\/a><br><strong>Defender | 187cm | 15\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stats: <\/strong>22 disposals, 4 marks, 7 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although GWV held the territorial advantage, Nicholls was there to intercept and repel many of Murray\u2019s attacking forays. He attacked the aerial ball strongly and proved capable of playing above his 187cm standing, helping build a wall across half-back. Nicholls was also the main distributor from kick-ins, not afraid to take ground and launch the ball long, but capable of providing link-up play. In any case, he got the ball moving quickly after winning it back countless times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#23 <\/strong><a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"210931\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/jackson-obrien\/\" target=\"_blank\">Jackson O&#8217;Brien<\/a><br><strong>Ruck | 205cm | 05\/06\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stats: <\/strong>11 disposals, 4 marks, 22 hitouts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>O\u2019Brien was up against it in the early stages but ended up with the momentum in the ruck battle. He took advantage of when Murray rotated its first string option, utilising his reach and leap to get first touch on the ball. O\u2019Brien then showed his mobility around the ground, drifting into good spots across half-forward to mark uncontested and send the ball inside 50. He is improving his ability to impact with ball in hand and provide a marking target up and down the line.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dc-block-dc-mention _dc_mention\"><div class=\"section-heading_wrap\"><span class=\"section-heading is-small\">Mentions<\/span><span class=\"hor-border\"><\/span><\/div><ul class=\"js-overflow-list overflow-list\"><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/ethan-drever\/\">Ethan Drever<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/lincoln-brand\/\">Lincoln Brand<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/blake-sofra\/\">Blake Sofra<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/cooper-webster\/\">Cooper Webster<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/angus-williams\/\">Angus Williams<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/harrison-welsh\/\">Harrison Welsh<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/archie-elliott\/\">Archie Elliott<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/klay-nicholls\/\">Klay Nicholls<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/jackson-obrien\/\">Jackson O&#8217;Brien<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_e\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/event\/murray-bushrangers-vs-gwv-rebels\/\">Murray Bushrangers vs GWV Rebels<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"js-dropdown dropdown overflowed\"><button class=\"btn btn-icon-only\"><span class=\"icon btn-icon\">\n                    <!-- icon - plus circle - 20px-->\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n                        <path d=\"M15,9.28h-4.3V5h0A.72.72,0,1,0,9.28,5h0V9.28H5a.72.72,0,0,0,0,1.43H9.28V15a.72.72,0,0,0,1.43,0h0V10.71H15a.72.72,0,0,0,0-1.43Z\"\/>\n                        <path d=\"M10,0A10,10,0,1,0,20,10,10,10,0,0,0,10,0Zm0,18.57A8.57,8.57,0,0,1,10,1.43h0a8.57,8.57,0,0,1,0,17.14Z\"\/>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/span><\/button><div class=\"popover\"><div class=\"popover-content\"><ul class=\"popover-menu\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GWV REBELS snapped a two-game losing streak in style, getting the better of Murray Bushrangers in typically stifling Craigieburn conditions on Saturday. The Rebels did most of their damage after half time, kicking six goals to one to run out comfortable 49-point victors. It was no surprise to see Rebels captain and first round prospect [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":213090,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18050,11592,11593,8,11,20172,3134],"tags":[23043,23406,23359,23583,22027,23499,23378,23360,22909,18597],"class_list":["post-217918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-afl-draft","category-gwv-rebels","category-murray-bushrangers","category-news","category-scouting-notes","category-talent-league","category-victoria","tag-angus-williams","tag-archie-elliott","tag-blake-sofra","tag-cooper-webster","tag-ethan-drever","tag-harrison-welsh","tag-jackson-obrien","tag-klay-nicholls","tag-lincoln-brand","tag-murray-bushrangers-vs-gwv-rebels"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=217918"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217918\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":217928,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217918\/revisions\/217928"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/213090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=217918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=217918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=217918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}