The first-year Roosters mentor, whose previous roles includes coaching Vic Country at under 18 level, understands the work his club's seven Greater Western Victoria Rebels-listed players have put in to earn their spots.

Bottom-age prospects Fraser Marris, Flynn Atchison and Marcus Herbert will join Liam Herbert, Jay Rantall, Emmanuel Ajang and Isaac Thomas in the Rebels' 2019 intake.

An eighth teenager - the Melbourne-based Jamarra Ugle-Hagan - will represent the Hampden league club too, having made NAB League side Oakleigh Chargers.

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Battistello said the players' work ethic and strong junior coaching helped them make the transition.

"They're outstanding kids. They finished at Rebels training (in Warrnambool during pre-season) and came and finished with us," he said.

"Their enthusiasm is unbelievable. I've had to put a handbrake on a couple of them because their appetite for knowledge is first-class."

Battistello believes the Roosters' contingent will bounce off each other in the Rebels program.

"I think that's a fantastic effort from a club as a whole to get seven reps," he said.

"I wouldn't have thought too many clubs as a whole have ever done that, so it's a great reward for the junior coaches they've had and a reward for the boys in terms of their mateship and buy-in.

"They've all helped each other improve in that program and they're going to have to continue to improve but they're taking the right steps.

"I am sure the club is extremely proud of them in terms of having seven but they still feel like they're South players. We still treat them like that."

But Battistello erred against early hype, emphasising the tough nature of the state-wide under 18 competition, which is used as a pathway to the AFL.

He said this was a particularly important message for bottom-age prospects.

"Like anything the TAC (now NAB League) is an extremely hard competition to play in," he said.

"It's a hard competition to make the list in but it's an even harder one to get a game in.

"As a bottom-age player you've got to be extremely competent in all areas.

"Knowing 'Parto' (talent manager Phil Partington) and 'Greigy' (coach Marc Greig) up at the Rebels program they'll acquit them.

"Their top-age year is the most important one for them, so I am sure they will learn and improve and if they get some games that will be terrific for them and hold them in good stead for the following year."

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