Barwon Heads co-coach Sam Schaller says the club “went a long way down the path” in getting former junior Teia Miles back to the club.
In the end, Miles, who played 12 AFL games with Hawthorn before stints at VFL club Williamstown and WAFL team Claremont, chose to join Portarlington, where his dad Geoff played a crucial role in keeping the Demons afloat either side of Covid.
“Ultimately, the connection Joffa’s developed at Port, and, probably, the position they were in appealed to him a bit more, which is fine,” Schaller told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see him in the blue and blue off half-back or anywhere on the ground, really.
“I reckon first game back at Barwon Heads, I think more so his teammates and his close mates will be letting know about it than the people on the hill.”
The Seagulls have named 2019 premiership player Lachie Slorach for his first senior game with the club since 2021 and welcomed back under-18 Angus Ford and recruit Matt Ogle.
Cooper Ward has returned to the Geelong Falcons.
The Demons welcome back big man Lachie Hart and talented young forward Jesse Hunter.
Under-18 premiership player Ethan Hughes and Winchelsea recruit Damien Tabakovic will make their debuts.
They replace Jake Cummins, Kruze Goedemoed, Max Ruiter and Stephen Heppel.
Drysdale has been boosted by the return of gun midfielder Ben Fennell as it chases a fifth consecutive win in its clash with Queenscliff at Drysdale Recreation Reserve.
Still without captain Mitch McGuire and Flinn Chisholm, the Hawks dropped Taylor Bonner.
The Coutas have added former skipper Jake Hedley, Sol Bowtell, Charlie Travers and Matt Golightly to their squad.
Kyle Hartigan is the confirmed change. The former Adelaide and Hawthorn defender is unavailable due to coaching commitments with VFL club Werribee.
The match doubles as the Hand Up Cup, raising awareness for mental health.
Anglesea has made three changes for its meeting with Newcomb at Grinter Reserve.
The Roos have promoted Ash Caldwell, Tom Presnell and Matt Connell, with Tom Couch and Will Batson managed, and Harrison Veale sidelined with a hamstring.
The Power has named Jim Hall for his first senior game since 2022, elevated Caleb Law from the reserves, and welcomed back Blake Ritchie.
They replace Tom Courtney (shoulder) and Jeanpaul Dumont in what will be Peter Gordyn’s 150th game for the club.
Geelong Amateur has welcomed back Nick Nott, Max Hungerford and Jarrad Jans and promoted James Lee as it hosts Ocean Grove at KFC Oval.
They replace Hamish Scott, Zac Nelson, Tom Gorell, and Tye Curtis,
The Grubbers have regained veteran Jye Walker, elevated Fletcher Long, and will debut Joe Pierce.
They replace Patrick Norton, Benjamin Coote, and Connor Asquith.
The experienced Billy Henderson has returned to the Torquay lineup at the expense of fellow veteran Paul Burchell as it prepares to host Modewarre at George McCartney Oval.
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