Queenscliff’s links with its stunning hat-trick of Bellarine premierships between 2011-13 will be loosened further when Jake Hedley enters retirement.
The former Coutas captain will hang up the boots after 232 games (230 senior) in the red, white and blue following Saturday’s clash with finals hopefuls Barwon Head at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve.
Hedley’s departure will leave Jayden Durran as the lone survivor from Queenscliff’s most golden era in the Bellarine.
The 31-year-old, who has kicked 17 goals from 12 games in 2024 to be equal second in the Coutas goalkicking, four behind Jonty Rush, was contemplating retirement at the end of last year.
However, the opportunity to play again under Heath Jamieson, who debuted Hedley as a 16-year-old in 2010 before delivering the club’s first flag in 36 years in 2011, was hard to deny.
“I’d pretty much all but retired in my mind without going verbally to anyone,” he said.
“I told a few people I was thinking about, and ‘Jamo’ must have got wind about it before he was announced as the coach for the 2024 season.
“He gave me a little phone call, and he said, “Hold off saying anything because I’ll be the coach next year”.
“It was good that I got to finish off the last year with ‘Jamo’ there.”
A three-time BFNL Coaches Team of the Year selection and interleague representative, Hedley has labelled his retirement as “bittersweet”
“I’m looking forward to finishing up and not being sore from a Saturday through to the following Saturday morning,” he said with a laugh. “It’s a seven-day recovery period at the moment.
“But, I’m really going to miss it. I’ve been playing at the same place since I was seven.
“I really haven’t a year off apart from Covid.
“It’s going to be a big part of my life that I’m not going to be doing any more.”
Having featured in three premierships before he turned 21, Hedley is disappointed he was unable to add a fourth flag to his resume.
“We had a few good years past 2013,” he said. “We were strong every second year.
“Since Covid, we’ve been struggling a little bit.
“I’d love to have finished with a flag, but it’s not to be.
“I’m super content with what I’ve been able to achieve in my career, and I’m happy to be going out.”
Like his parents (dad David played 241 open-age games for the club), Hedley will remain part of the Queenscliff fabric.
However, a coaching role is an unlikely path he’ll take.
“I don’t think so; I don’t think it’s on the cards for me,” Hedley said.
“But, you never say never.”
Queenscliff has made two changes for the meeting with Barwon Heads.
Jonas Seecamp and Pat Tucci have returned to the Coutas’ reserves, who can lock away a first finals berth in 22 years with victory over the Seagulls.
Patrick Bradley and Angus Naylor return to the senior team.
Barwon Heads has made four forced changes.
It may be season over for Charlie Hurst after suffering a broken nose in two places in last week’s loss to Modewarre, while Jye Bartley (illness), Jack Pedretti (hamstring) and Tom Swift (unavailable) are also missing.
Captain Lachie Wilson, experienced duo Michael Philp and James Allen, and young gun Marley Cornell, who won the best-on-ground medal for St Ignatius College in its GISSA win over Iona during the week, are the inclusions for the Seagulls.
Geelong Amateur has been boosted by the return of ruck Nick Nott among four changes for its blockbuster meeting with Anglesea.
Nick Maishman, Sam Bain and Lachie Devine are also back for the clash that will have a significant impact on the double-chance hopes of both clubs.
Jarred Jans (hamstring) is out of the team well beaten by Drysdale last week, with Nick Clydesdale, Xavier Whitcher and Xavier Muhor returning to the reserves.
Tom Couch’s return from suspension highlights the four inclusions for the Roos.
Dyl Pettingill, Fergus Huntington and Ash Caldwell are also back for Anglesea.
They replace the suspended Courtney Wedderburn and omitted trio Josh King, Matt Connell and Tom Presenell.
Torquay will welcome back captain Ben McNamara from a concussion suffered in the win over Anglesea in Round 14 for its meeting with Portarlington at McCartney Oval.
The Tigers have included Seamus Doyle and Luke Wittman for Harry McLeod (soreness) and Clay Page (unavailable)
The Demons have lodged an unchanged team from the one that lost to Anglesea last week.
A broken jaw suffered in a collision with a teammate has ended the season of Newcomb defender Finn Anscombe.
He’s been replaced for the clash with Modewarre at Grinter Reserve by the returning James Molloy.
The Warriors have named ruck Zack May in their squad but lost Jeremy Ollis to a corkie.
Drysdale will take an unchanged team into its must-win meeting with Ocean Grove at Mortimer Oval.
The Grubbers have made five changes.
Co-coach Nick Bourke (ribs), Grady Slocombe (concussion) and Brady Asquith (hamstring) will be missing, while under-18 duo Hugo Walsh and Jackson Stephenson are being managed.
Young gun Darcy Harrington and Warrack Eagles recruit Sean McKenzie return, Callum Dickinson and Jack Connolly have been recalled from the reserves, and Rhys Hobbs will play his first senior game of the season.
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