NORTH Ballarat Rebels will welcome back speedy forward Louis Herbert for their TAC Cup qualifying final against Sandringham Dragons on Sunday.
Herbert returns to the Rebels’ line-up after missing round 17 with illness.
The South Warrnambool product, who was invited to the AFL draft combine as a medium forward this week, was one of eight south-west footballers named in the Rebels’ squad.
Koroit pair Haydn Drew and Martin Gleeson, South Warrnambool duo Liam Youl and Wil Pomorin, North Warrnambool Eagles’ Tom Smith and Portland’s Jaydon Stiles and Nathan Haylock were also selected.
Haylock, Pomorin, Youl and Stiles were named on an extended bench.
North Ballarat Rebels coach David Loader said his side was prepared for finals.
The Rebels last won the TAC Cup grand final in 1997, when Sydney Swans champion and dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes was named best on ground.
“The number one thing is we’re very happy with where we’re at because we’ve had an outstanding year,” he said.
“We were at the top of the ladder after the home and away and that was a super reward for effort for the boys.”
Geelong Falcons have named Kolora-Noorat’s Nick Bourke, Terang Mortlake’s Lewis Taylor and Cobden’s Daniel Watson for their elimination final against Murray Bushrangers tomorrow.
Geelong Falcons coach Andy Allthorpe said his team was “refreshed and prepared” for its final.
“We had two very different games against them,” he said.
“Early in the year we didn’t have a great result in Bendigo,” he said.
“We started poorly and were chasing tail.
“The second time both sides had state players out. Both played well and we had a gritty win.”
The elimination final is tomorrow at 11.45am and the qualifying final on Sunday from 2pm. Both finals are at Carlton’s Princes Park.