First-year Geelong West GDFNL coach Scott Frangos is confident playing with the club in 2023 has him prepared for his first season in charge.
A stalwart of West’s GFNL arm, Frangos joined the GDFNL outfit as a player ahead of last year, where he was one of only four Giants to feature in all 18 home-and-away games.
“I was quite lucky to play there last year to know what we needed to work on and the recruits we needed to go after,” he said.
“A lot of new coaches come in in October and not know what they’re working with as much.
“We’ve focused on a lot of competitive work, and the GDFL’s getting better and better each year.
“So we want to be able to win it at the source and get it to our forwards quick and open so they can get a shot at it.”
Frangos, who has previously coached Geelong West’s reserves in the GFNL, has confirmed he will extend his career by another season despite turning 34 before Round 1.
“I’m playing every game if I’m healthy,” he said.
“I’m ready to go … I think I can still give plenty to the squad.”
Geelong West, which finished the 2024 season in eighth position with a 6-12 win-loss record, has been one of the most active clubs when it comes to recruiting.
Trent Archer has returned from North Shore, and Michael Facey, Daniel Pollard, and Ako Warakea have crossed from the GFNL Giants.
Arrivals include Beau Fenton (Otway Districts), Gus Fraatz (Newcomb), Tom Jenkins (South Warrnambool), Matt Sondergeld (Port Melbourne Colts) and Charles Wild (Jeparit-Rainbow).
However, they have lost star forward Blake Dye (Leitchville-Gunbower) and Josh Taylor (Newcomb).
The new faces will get several chances to acclimatise to their new home, with West scheduling three practice matches before their opening round meeting against North Geelong at West Oval on April 6.
The Giants will host Irrewarra-Beeac at Evans Reserve in Norlane on Saturday before trips to Ballan and Rokewood Corindhap on March 16 and 23, respectively.
“There’s still some guys playing cricket, so the side won’t be at full strength,” Frangos said.
“But, we’re going to see how we come together with all these new pieces coming in.”