The teenager ran out for his first Hampden league senior game on Saturday night, playing in Hamilton Kangaroos’ opening round loss to South Warrnambool.

He will don a Greater Western Victoria Rebels’ uniform for the first time on Sunday after he was selected for their TAC Cup clash against Calder Cannons.

Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said Cleaver’s call up was reward for hard work.

"He missed our squad last year and was in our rookie squad and he’s moved up to be part of the main squad this year,” he said.

Cleaver joined Hamilton Kangaroos in the off-season after spending time at Horsham and District league club Harrow-Balmoral.

“His dad (Paul) had coached Harrow-Balmoral for the last couple of years,” he said. “A little bit of senior football helps these young boys and he’s had a dedicated pre-season, got himself fit and deserves the rewards.”

Partington said Cleaver was a top-age talent who would be thrown into a variety of roles against the Cannons at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium.

“He’s athletically gifted. He’s got good speed and strength in his legs,” he said.

“He’ll start down back. It’s the TAC Cup so you play so many roles per game. It’s a good opportunity for the boy to see what he can do.”

The Rebels have five Hampden league players in the initial Vic Country under 18 squad – Koroit’s Josh Chatfield, Hamilton Kangaroos’ Lochie Dawson, Terang Mortlake’s Scott Carlin and Portland duo Tylar Watts and Harris Jennings. Partington said players’ form in the TAC Cup over the next five weeks would determine the final roster for the national titles.