Excitement is continuing to build at Summertime Pools Oval, with Surf Coast last night confirming its historic first Bellarine senior team ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Torquay.
The Suns have assembled players from all points of the compass for their maiden appearance, with five of those having previous Bellarine experience.
Of them, Scott Hughes has the most experience, kicking 463 goals from 137 games at the Tigers and Modewarre, including topping the ton in 2012 and 2013.
Luke Cartelli and Joe Pierce have both played at Ocean Grove, with Cartelli winning a best-and-fairest; Tommy Stephen was at Geelong Amateur before joining GFNL club Grovedale, and Mitch Gaunt spent two seasons at Barwon Heads.
Ross Young can likely lay claim to being the oldest BFNL senior debutant in the competition’s 55-year history.
Young, who played six AFL games with Carlton and had a decorated state league career in the VFL and WAFL, is 42.
Former Brisbane rookie Phil Smith, who has VFL experience at Box Hill and Williamstown, has also been named.
Geelong VFL-listed Hunter Gottschling and Cats train-on squad member Eddie Weeks will provide some class in defence.
Riley Cotter, who won the AFL Barwon under-18 Division 4 best-and-fairest in 2024, will create his own piece of history as the first Suns junior to play at senior level.
However, former Geelong and North Melbourne player Aaron Black is unavailable.
Joss Howlett and Dylan Flanigan, who both arrived from Colac and District club Irrewarra-Beeac, will captain the fledgling Suns.
“It’s an extreme honour,” Flanigan told K rock’s Beyond the Boundary podcast of his appointment.
“I think to be a part of the first senior side is impressive in itself and something I’m proud of.
But to be able to lead the boys out with Joss… I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to it.”
Torquay has named a strong squad of 25, which features 13 premiership players.
Ned Turner (Myrtleford) and Hugh Trigg (North Ballarat) are the new faces at McCartney Oval, getting an early chance to impress Dom Gleeson, who is closing in on becoming the first Bellarine coach to 200 games.
Reef Page returns from a season with Old Geelong, while Tyler Emmerson could make his first senior appearance since 2021.
Tigers junior Spencer Meagher is in line to debut after stints at Bacchus Marsh and Spotswood.
BFNL: FORMER HAWK TO MAKE DRYSDALE CAMEO
Meanwhile, Barwon Heads has named former St Mary’s duo Sam Christensen and Doug Bond among four new faces for its meeting with Portarlington at APCO Café 24/7 Oval.
The Seagulls team also includes James Callaway (Altona) and Thomson premiership player Charley Donohue, who spent last year winning a flag with Warrnambool and District club Nirranda.
Port also has four new faces, one returning from the GFNL, and a debutant.
New playing coach Sam Scott highlights the arrivals, joined by former Leopold teammate Sam McDonald, who spent last year with Glenthompson/Dunkled.
Nathan McHugh and Eamon Dowd have crossed from Grovedale, where the returning Tyler Cummins spent the past two years.
Hayden Eddy, who kicked 51 goals to help the Demons reach a preliminary final in the AFL Barwon under-18 Division 2 competition in 2025, will make his senior debut.
Eddy is the son of former Drysdale and Bannockburn player Aaron.
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