South Warrnambool duo Caitlyn Smith and Denver Henson and Warrnambool’s Amelia Monk have been named in the 45-player squad, as has Branxholme’s Georgia Clarke.

The recently-announced TAC Cup Girls competition had a standalone match between the Murray Bushrangers and Bendigo Pioneers on the weekend, with round one and the Rebels’ first match set to get underway on March 18.

Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said the five-round competition, which mirrors the boys’ TAC Cup, was an exciting step forward for female talent pathways.

“The girls are now seeing there’s a real pathway to AFL football for them,” he said.

“Some of these girls have played football in the past and have been involved in the Rebels Youth Academy.”

The south-west continues to prove itself a rich breeding ground for young football talent, with 11 boys from the area named in the Rebels’ 29-player under 16 team.

Josh Dwyer (Dennington), Cooper Atchison, Emmanuel Ajang, Alex Lavithis-Davies (South Warrnambool), Dylan Starkie (Hamilton Kangaroos), Connor Hinkley (Koroit), Jack Hookway (Simpson), Izaac Ewing (Penshurst), Eddy Gattek (Hawks Juniors), Connor Giddings (West Portland) and Isaac Wareham (Terang Mortlake) all earned a spot with the team, which will play in three matches early in the season.