THE GAMES
SATURDAY
- Anakie vs. North Geelong @ Anakie Reserve, 2:00pm
- East Geelong vs. Thomson @ Richmond Crescent, 2:00pm
- Bell Post Hill vs. Inverleigh @ Myers Reserve, 2:00pm
- Werribee Centrals vs. Geelong West @ Galvin Park, 2:00pm
- Bannockburn vs. Winchelsea @ Victoria Park, 2:00pm
SUNDAY
- Corio vs. Belmont Lions @ VIVA Energy Oval, 2:00pm
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Four of the weekend’s match-ups could comfortably vie for the title of Match of the Round. However, we’ve plumped for the match-up between Bell Post Hill and Inverleigh at Myers Reserve. The Panthers have welcomed back a host of stars from their premiership era, including Chris Moreland, Dylan Witney, Nick Costello, Jayden Ettridge, Tim Barton, Danny Gray and Joel Page. Throw in Boe Collins (Bell Park), Sam Harmer (North Shore) and Chris Daniele (Portarlington) joining the club, and it wouldn’t surprise if Bell Post Hill is back at St Albans Reserve in September. Inverleigh has welcomed back Dalton Grundell from Geelong West’s GFL arm and Blake Hutchinson (Corio), while adding Matt Tyquin (Bannockburn), Ryan Robertson (North Shore), Peter Plummer (Newcomb) and Kad McEwan-Walsh (Anakie).
NEW(ISH) COACHES
Seven clubs will have different looking coaching structures to that of 2019. Anakie (Daniel Bunworth), Belmont Lions (Nathan Bisset), East Geelong (Ben Boseley), and Thomson (Sam Jacka and Jarrod Westwood) are the new coaching appointments. While at Corio, Darren Bennett has been joined as coach by son Joel, Mitch Wight will go it alone with Geelong West following Andrew Clark’s departure, and Nick Smith has welcomed Rhyce Prismall at Werribee Centrals.
STAR RECRUIT UP IN THE AIR
East Geelong is unsure whether it will see recent addition Kolby Hennessy. The exciting forward, who was given a taste of Ovens and Murray senior football with country powerhouse Albury in 2019, was expected to have an impact for the Eagles, who have farewelled leading goalkicker Jack Elliott. Hennessy has returned to the border and lodged a clearance back to Albury.
GRANDSONS OF A GUN TO DEBUT FOR NORTH
After joining North Geelong ahead of the 2020 season, Reece and Jacob Tompkins will finally get to represent the club where their grandfather is a member of the Hall of Fame. Neil Tompkins, who played 12 games for Geelong in 1945, was a key part of the Magpies’ stunning run of success between 1949-55 when it won seven consecutive Evelyn Hurst (GDFL Division 1) premierships. He was captain-coach of four of those premierships and a player in two. Reece and Jacob’s great-uncle Bruce is also in the North Geelong Hall of Fame.
NO.1 BLUE
Winchelsea has honoured Shirley Leak by bestowing No.1 ticket holder status on the Blues life member and club historian. Earlier in the week, Anakie royalty, Jack and Joan Osborne were again named No.1 ticket holders of the GDFL.
THE TEAMS
