NAB League club GWV Rebels hopeful 19-year-old can play next weekend

Marris, who was coming off a 38-disposal game, missed the Rebels' 8.8 (56) to 5.10 (40) loss to Geelong Falcons at Mars Stadium on Sunday.

The South Warrnambool player is 19 and, under current state government coronavirus restrictions, competitive sport is only permitted for those aged 18 and under in regional Victoria.

Rebels coach David Loader is hopeful the rules will ease to allow senior sport to resume next weekend.

"We missed him terribly (against Geelong), he is relatively important to us," he told The Standard.

"Fingers crossed that will get back to normal next week."

The Rebels' loss to the Falcons was their first in 2021 after four wins to start the season. The match started in thick fog which made it difficult for the players.

"It was very thick the fog early, it was like pea soup," he said.

"We were really disappointed with the way we played, especially after half-time.

"We had a reasonable second quarter and got a goal or two in front and then hardly gave a yelp after half-time, it was deer-in-the-headlights sort of stuff.

"Our lack of ability to play roles and take responsibility for what was happening was a bit poor so we need to work on that."

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