Barwon Heads will rush Cooper Ward into its line-up for Saturday’s clash with Modewarre after lodging a clearance from GFNL club St Joseph’s.
Ward, who is on the development list of VFL reigning premier Werribee, returned to Joeys ahead of this season.
However, after playing the first three matches in the seniors, the Geelong Falcons graduate has spent the past three weeks in the reserves due to a combination of form and points pressure.
Ward lodged a clearance earlier this week and will train with the Seagulls tomorrow night.
“I keep an eye on all the guys that have left, especially the young blokes, just to see how they’re going,” coach Sam Schaller said.
“I noticed he’d gone down to the reserves, and he was the first to admit it was with a bit of poor form.
“But, he was looking to play some senior footy, and Joeys are pretty tight with their points at the moment.
“We had a chat about it and came to the conclusion that coming back to Barwon Heads might be the best thing for his football.”
Ward returns as a two-pointer, having played 15 senior games and kicked 26 goals across 2023-24 for Barwon Heads, including consecutive five-goal hauls against Newcomb and Ocean Grove early last year.
“He’s obviously improved again since then,” Schaller said.
“We’re keen to get him out there and just enjoying his footy and hopefully, he can kick a couple of goals and have some fun.”
Ward will likely be among three inclusions for Saturday’s crucial meeting with Modewarre at Mt Moriac.
Schaller says Tom Swift and James Syddall will be right to go after being sidelined before last week’s bye.
However, Sam Witherden (hamstring) and Darcy Griffin (calf) remain sidelined.
X: @krockfootball
