The teenagers are part of a 42-player squad and will vie for selection each week.

Rebels talent manager Phil Partington is bullish about the Hampden players' prospects.

Here he explains why they've been chosen.

FOOTBALL FACTORY: Hampden players dominate 2019 NAB League team selection

Height: 192cm, weight: 77kg

"He's developed really well, got a bit stronger in the body, got a bit more confidence and knows he belongs in the squad and is looking forward to a good year in various roles."

Height: 186cm, weight: 80kg

"James has moved to Ballarat, he's the Rebels' trainee this year. It's similar to what a Lloyd Meek (who is now at Fremantle) has done and been drafted. James has got some really high attributes, his athletic ability and he played some good footy last year so we're looking for a better return this year as well."

Height: 187cm, weight: 80kg

"He's an elite runner and we've been really pleased with his pre-season. Unfortunately he's broken his hand which he's (managed) for the last five weeks and hasn't got much ball work in. He's a member of the AFL Vic Country academy."

Height: 185cm, weight 74kg

"We've been pleased with his output in the trial games. He's disciplined, he's been playing off a half-back flank and is learning the intensity of the NAB League after missing last year and he'll get better week-by-week, he's just got to get his fitness up to the next level now which he's working hard on."

Height: 184cm, weight 82kg

"He comes in with a high-performance attitude. His running capabilities are very, very high and he's got good game sense."

Height: 182kg, weight 73kg

"He's a smooth mover and we've noticed that in our trial games. He's very clean in traffic and he brings that high-performance attitude to our program."

Height: 176cm, weight 65kg

"Unfortunately he was in a moon boot for a little bit of the pre-season so he's a bit underdone but we just love his hardness and ability to play in various positions and he kicks the ball very well."

Height: 188cm, weight 76kg

"He's grown both physically and mentally over his journey with the Rebels. He's got great athletic ability, he's a very coachable young man and we're excited to see where he may go."

Height: 192cm, weight 84kg

"It's Connor's second year in the program and he'll have a journey in front of him coming from Portland. He's had a good pre-season, really changed his work ethic and his running capabilities so we're looking for a greater output this year from him."

Height: 185cm, weight 81kg

"He's had some injury worries at the start of the pre-season but he's worked really hard on his body and he's changed his body shape. He's still got his speed. He's done the hard work so he deserves his opportunity."

Height: 187cm, weight 67kg

"He's been really committed to pre-season and played well in the trial games. He's one of the boys who will learn a lot throughout the year. The experience of playing in the Rebels squad will be beneficial for him in the future. He's a very coachable young man."

Height: 180cm, 74kg

"He's a bottom-age player. One of the things we've noticed with Marcus is his work ethic and he's very clean inside."

Height: 183cm, weight 93kg

"He's a beautiful kick of the football, he's worked hard on his fitness this year. We'll see him around the forward line."

Height: 186cm, weight 76kg

"He's done a bit of work over the pre-season on his fitness and he's a developing into midfielder or half-back flanker for us."

Height: 187cm, weight 84kg

"Connor can play in various positions. He's now back at Warrnambool full-time. He's got some terrific attributes."

Height: 176cm, 69kg

"A small, medium player. I've been impressed with his pre-season. He's a hard inside player."

Height: 186cm, 76kg

"He's really worked hard on his running, he's got a high endurance base now. He's changed his work ethic. He's that sort of half-forward flanker, hit-up forward so he's improved his pressure around the ground as well."

Height: 184cm, weight 70kg

"He's moved to Ballarat to attend St Patrick's College. He's really worked hard on his fitness levels and his body shape over the pre-season. He's played well in our trial games as a running defender but he can play various positions for us."

Height: 174cm, weight 65kg

"'Little Frase' as a 16-year-old last year we saw his ability to win his own football, make smart decisions and he's got some good leadership skills as well."

Mininera and District league…

Height: 187cm, weight 81kg

"He's from Penshurst but has been in Ballarat the last two years. He is a key defender, kicks the ball well and is living in Ballarat doing a plumbing apprenticeship."

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