Football
3 February, 2025
Rebels with a cause
Wimmera footballers Levi Munyard, Oliver Potter, Patrick Toner, Archie Elliott, Drew Harris, Ethan Worthy, and Alby Kingston are all raring to go after having their first training session with the Greater Western Victoria Rebels last Thursday, January 30.
Munyard plays for the Horsham Saints, and he juggles basketball and football. He is a utility and is looking forward to the opportunity.
"It was cool being picked for the Rebels, as my main goal was to get noticed," Munyard said.
"I can play pretty much anywhere, and I think my best is down back, but my favourite position would be midfield."
When asked what he wants to improve in 2025, Munyard emphasised learning the system.
"I want to learn how the football system works, and I really want to improve on my football and get the best opportunities from the coaches and my team-mates and learn from everyone," Munyard said.
"I am looking forward to seeing what happens in 2025."
Drew Harris, who also plays for the Horsham Saints, said he couldn't believe he was selected.
"When I found out, I was at work, and one of my mates, Adrianne Lupton, told me and said, 'Good job, you made it', and I couldn't believe it; I thought he was joking," Harris said.
"I went onto my smoko break and had a look online and found out, and I was so excited. I couldn't believe it.
"I looked at it multiple times and was like, 'wow, ' and called my dad. He was proud of me and gave me a handshake."
Harris, a centre-half-forward, is looking to improve his skills and fitness.
"I am looking forward to improving my football skills, making new friends and taking it all in," Harris said.
"I need to improve my fitness levels, running, and running out of games at full pace.
"At the moment, I just want to play round one and see what happens from there, and it's comforting to know that I have people there I know, and we can talk and probably become better mates with them."
Ethan Worthy plays for the Horsham Demons and recently played in the under-16s for the Rebels. He usually plays midfield for the Demons, but for the Rebels, he played on the wing and back flank and is happy to play where required.
"I was rapt and was stoked when I found out," Worthy said.
"I am looking forward to it. I hope to play an entire season and take every opportunity to improve my football career and skills.
"I need to get better at kicking on my opposite foot."
"It's pretty exciting and one of my best achievements, and I am keen for it to start up."
Oliver Potter also plays for the Horsham Demons. He is a midfielder who plays up forward and said the tryouts were hard.
"The tryouts were harder than club footy as you need to put more effort in and do more training to improve," Potter said.
"It's always good to get into these sort of teams, and it's hard to get into being from Horsham, and I was excited when I saw my name on the list.
"I prefer to play midfield as I get around the ball more, and I don't mind the contact."
As for this year, he wants to get some senior games at Horsham and play a few games for the Rebels.
"Hopefully, I can get some senior games this year and play a couple of games for the Rebels as a bottom-ager," Potter said.
"I am looking forward to wearing that guernsey and representing Horsham, and putting on that Rebels jersey will be an honour.
"I want to get a bit stronger and bigger and get through the packs more as I am a bit fragile. I have speed that helps me, which is good."
Archie Elliott also plays for the Horsham Demons and can play as a wingman, midfielder or half-back flank.
"I was happy and excited because the work I put in paid off, and I was over the moon," Elliott said.
"I worked very hard and put in a lot of training and running and was happy."
Elliott touched on his strengths and what he hopes to get out of 2025.
"My strengths are decision-making, skills and reading the play," Elliott said.
"The main aim, first and foremost, is getting a game and holding my spot.
"Playing and training at that high-level football is good for my development, and I want to get the most out of it.
"I can always improve everywhere and get better. Nothing is perfect."
Patrick Toner, plays for Ararat and kicked one of the most remarkable goals from the boundary in their grand final win over the Southern Mallee Thunder in the final minute of the match. He is a half-back/midfielder and was happy to be selected.
"I was thrilled as it was a good message to get," Toner said.
"2024 was the first time I played seniors with Ararat, and my coaches helped me in many ways, but mainly my craftwork and probably reading the game.
I look forward to playing more football at a high level and just playing the best I can. "
"I want to improve my ball skills, mainly my kicking."
Alby Kingston plays for Rupanyup and was selected for the Rebels last year, but he tore his ACL in the pre-season and missed the entire year. To be selected again was a surprise to him.
"I was nervous about it as I wasn't 100% sure I was getting in and wasn't told much," Kingston said.
"I was thrilled when I saw the news. I was sitting on my back porch with my dad and was very excited. My mum was at work, rang me, and was very happy."
Kingston has been recovering from his knee reconstruction for seven months and has only recently started running again. He is meeting his surgeon soon and will undergo a return-to-sports test. He hopes to return to football in April or May.
"Right now, I am doing a lot of running and fitness, and I want to put on a bit more muscle and get stronger when I can," Kingston said.
"It has been hard to get back, and I have been telling myself that I must return to footy and playing.
"Firstly, I want to get back to playing football and then do my absolute best with that and see where that goes."