Ocean Grove has confirmed widespread summer speculation that talented big man Ed Dayman wouldn’t return to the club as a player in 2025.
He returned to action in August and was named best-on-ground as Rovers snapped a 30-year premiership drought.
Ocean Grove coach Dave Farrell says it was a “really difficult decision” for Dayman – who will continue to train with the Grubbers – to stay with Rovers.
“At the time he left, we were pretty okay with him going and doing that,” Farrell said.
“And we were confident he’d return, living in Geelong, and with the connections he’s got at the club, he’s really happy when he’s around Ocean Grove.
“It was certainly not an expectation but an understanding that that would be the case.
“As it’s progressed and the way that his season individually finished and the success they had as a group, I don’t begrudge him at all, taking the opportunity to try and recreate that there at his home club where his family’s still really invested as well.”
Ocean Grove commences a busy month of practice matches on Saturday with a clash against perennial Hampden League finalists Koroit.
Recruits Gus Bourke (Terang Mortlake), Jhdara Jones (Tatura), Jai Hale (Mordialloc), and Rhys Devilin (Newtown & Chilwell) will pull on the red and white for the first time.
However, Anglesea recruit Anton Woods will be held back until next week’s meeting with East Geelong, while returning former skipper Joe McDonald and Mitch Ward (Darley) are expected to right for the March 15 meeting with Anakie.
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