The prospect of being part of the region’s first new senior club in 40 years, alongside several good mates, has helped Surf Coast land Geelong VFL player Hunter Gottschling.
Gottschling, who has played six games in the Hoops over the past three years, arrives at the Suns from Ovens and Murray club Wangaratta, which contested this year’s grand final after finishing the home-and-away season fifth on the ladder.
The 22-year-old, who is in the final stages of a Zoology and Animal Sciences degree at Deakin University, will link up with fellow Wangaratta product Levi Williams, Zac Warne (Lake Boga) and Harry Gravener (South Barwon) at Polwarth Oval.
“Zac, I met this year through Levi, who I’ve grown up with in Wangaratta, and they live together now, so they’re two good mates,” Gottschling told K rock Football.
“I’ve lived with Harry for two years now; he’s a good mate of mine.
“The chemistry that we already have, and then being able to connect with a bunch of other blokes we’ve never met before, it just builds the excitement more.”
Gottschling also revealed that Cats VFL boss Aaron Black, who was the club’s first signing in May, was a good salesman.
“He loves mentioning the Suns every now and then, and he’s pretty passionate about it,” Gottschling said.
“It actually got me thinking, and I’ve been talking with my mates, and there’s going to be me and a group of mates, hopefully playing for the Suns all together.”
Ongoing groin and hip issues have hampered Gottschling in recent seasons.
However, after being sidelined for three months this year, he returned to the Wangaratta team late in the season, playing eight consecutive games.
“I’ve had lots of problems,” Gottschling said. “I’ll play four games in a row and then all of a sudden I’ll get really sore at training on Tuesday.
“Scans show nothing, and the physio and doctors don’t know what it is, so it’s a bit of a mystery.
“We’ve tried everything – a lot of rehab.
“I even got an injection this year, which might have helped because I played the last eight games of the year for Maggies.
“But, I honestly didn’t feel a difference when I got it.”
Gottschling has been offered the opportunity to remain with Geelong in 2026.
However, that will depend on whether he continues his studies.
“I’ve applied for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in Melbourne, but I won’t find out whether I get into that course or not until February, so it’s a bit of a sitting and waiting game,” Gottschling said.
“Geelong are fine with that, which is good.”
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CONFIRMED SURF COAST SUNS SIGNINGS
Aaron Black (Warrnambool), Luke Cartelli (Keilor), Dillyn Fedley (Irrewarra-Beeac), Dylan Flanigan (Irrewarra-Beeac), Tyler Flanigan (Irrewarra-Beeac), Mitch Gaunt (Irrewarra-Beeac), Hunter Gottschling (Wangarrata/Geelong VFL), Harry Gravener (South Barwon), Joss Howlett (Irrewarra-Beeac), Scott Hughes (Bell Post Hill), William McCartney (East Geelong), Tommy Stephen (Grovedale), Reve Torney (Undera), Zac Warne (Lake Boga), Levi Williams (Wangaratta)
