Greater Western Victorian Rebels utility Harry Hobbs eyes round one TAC Cup debut

The Terang Mortlake recruit is chasing a round one TAC Cup debut after overcoming a severe foot injury which cost him the entire 2016 season.

Hobbs – one of 16 Hampden league teenagers on the Greater Western Victoria list – hopes a strong pre-season and his versatility will lead to a spot in the Rebels’ best 22 in a fortnight.

“I had a foot injury last year which put me out for the whole year pretty much,” he said.

“I came back late in the year but it was sort of too late to play any footy.

“There was a bit of extra bone that needed to be taken out.

“It was a fairly hefty surgery down in Melbourne and ended up resulting in four months out of action.

“It’s good as gold now. I’ve had no problems whatsoever.”

Hobbs, 17, said the desire to make a full recovery outweighed the frustration of missing an entire season.

The Ballarat-based boarding student – he joined St Patrick’s College as a year 10 student – had crossed to North Warrnambool Eagles from Mortlake Junior Sharks but failed to make an appearance for the Bushfield-based club.

He’s selected Terang Mortlake as his home club for the 2017 season, having grown up on a dairy farm near East Framlingham.

Hobbs is excited about potentially earning a senior call up at the Bloods.

“It is all now worth the wait, just because of the severity of it,” Hobbs said.

“It wasn’t something I could continue to play on.”

The 193-centimetre Hobbs, who joins fellow Terang Mortlake prospects Lachie Wareham and Scott Carlin at the Rebels, is excited to learn in an elite system.

He expects to play a variety of roles, including the difficult role of centre half-forward, under coach Gerard FitzGerald.

“I want to try and develop into the best footballer I can be with their program and wherever that takes me I’ll be indebted forever,” Hobbs said.

The Rebels launch their season against Geelong Falcons on March 26.