If opposition teams didn’t know any better, their away trip to Alexandra in division two of Victoria’s Yarra Valley Mountain District League, would have them quaking in their boots. The team from north-east Victoria are known as the ‘Rebels’. After visiting the scenic ground to watch them take on Kinglake recently; I’m pretty sure they’re not made up of members from the infamous bikie gang.

They could however, be big James Dean fans, although this mob did have a cause, unlike the movie that the aforementioned legendary actor starred in. The Rebels were just inside the top five and needed a win over the ‘Lakers’ to give them a cushion heading into the second half of the season.

The centre bounce at Alexandra.

Both sides were coming off losses the round before and the travelling Kinglake needed to stay in touch with the sides above them. Despite the sun’s non appearance for the day conditions were good for footy. A vocal crowd of around 500 lined the boundary, some reversing their cars up to the fence and popping the tail to maximise seating.

Fans watch some of the action along the boundary in Alexandra.

Alexandra began well and had a strong target up forward in Michael Bretherton. Bretherton was marking everything causing major headaches for the Kinglake defenders. Tallish mid-fielder Bart Wallace looks a likely type for the Rebels and gathered possessions at will. Ruckman Damien Toomey was feeding his smaller teammates around him like a granny on Sundays when visited by the family.

The Rebels huddle at a quarter-time.

Alexandra got on top quickly. At half-time they had opened up a six goal lead. In a low scoring affair a Kinglake comeback seemed a long way off. They were getting their hands on the ball but their skills were down and delivery into the forward line left a lot to be desired. Laker’s rover and league representative, Matthew Thomas, tried valiantly as did nude-nut Damien Pywell who looked a live-wire around the sticks. Lanky utility Travis Pottenger, who was doing his best to keep up with Richmond’s Ivan Maric in the mullet stakes, kept at it all day but it was left to too few for Kinglake.

Consecutive goals in the third term gave Lakers fans a glimmer of hope. Those perched out the back of vehicles on the outer flank found voice whilst reaching for another can. But it was all to no avail as Alexandra outscored Kinglake in the final term to run out 41 point winners: 15.13.103 to 9.8.62.
The Rebels had cemented their spot in the top five. James Dean would be happy.