Queenscliff coach Heath Jamieson doesn’t expect his young midfield to be overawed by the big names they will confront in Saturday’s clash with Geelong Amateur at the Couta Bowl.
Buoyant following last week’s opening-round win over Ocean Grove, the Coutas will likely face a more significant challenge from an Ammos lineup that has added former Werribee star Tom Gribble and welcomed home Blake Sutterby from GFNL club Newtown & Chilwell.
Throw in Riley Ferguson, who played under Jamieson in three premierships at St Joseph’s, and Geelong Amateur has arguably the best midfield trio in the Bellarine.
“We look forward to going head-to-head,” Jamieson said. “We have got a young midfield, but they bring energy, and they’re thereabouts all the time.
“They won’t be overawed by the occasion.
“To be fair, they probably won’t care who’s in there (centre bounce) with them.
“I’ll probably be a bit more concerned than some of our younger players because they probably don’t worry about the opposition too much.”
Che Durran will make his first appearance of 2024 after missing the win over the Grubbers.
However, Lachie Kidd, who backflipped on a move to Bannockburn in the off-season, is unavailable.
“Che’s been pretty good at winning the ball in the middle and probably a leader in the competition for the past 5-8 years,” Jamieson said.
“He’s going to provide a boost for us in the midfield.
“We just look forward to playing footy, and we’ll worry more about ourselves than who we’re lining up against.”
A bye in the VFL competition means former Hawthorn and Adelaide player Kyle Hartigan will again be available for Queenscliff.
Hartigan, an assistant coach at Werribee, kicked four goals on his Couta debut.
“He gives the boys a boost every time he plays with us; he’s just a really good guy to have around the group,” Jamieson said.
“He’s settled in fantastic, and I think the boys lift a little bit when he’s out there.
“And he’s a big man. He’s going to take some watching from every side that plays against us this year.
“Everyone will probably know where we’re going to play him; he’s going to be that deep forward for us, and he just gives us something to kick to and something for the smalls to go to work.
“He’ll be sitting in that goalsquare, and we’ll be hoping he can have an impact on the game like he did last week.”
