BAXTER Mensch’s departure from Geelong West has been offset by David Handley’s decision to step away from the VFL and commit to the GFNL club for the 2023 season.
Handley managed just four games for the Giants in 2022 as he cemented a spot with Carlton.
He had signed with VFL rivals Werribee for this year but has since decided to return home permanently after taking on greater responsibility with his employment.
West coach Greg Mellor says although Mensch – who has joined Queensland-based VFL club Southport – and Handley have different playing styles, it will soften the blow of Mensch’s departure.
“It’s great for us; he’s a premier GFL midfielder,” West coach Greg Mellor.
“He played four games for us last year, and he would have been well over 40 touches in each of those games, and I think he had one at the end of the year where he had 50 touches and 20 inside 50s.
“He’s a class player.”
The Giants, who finished seventh with nine wins in 2022, are comfortably in credit regarding arrivals and departures heading into the 2023 season.
As well as Handley’s return, West has added Ocean Grove best-and-fairest and Bellarine Team of the Year ruckman Kye Annand, who is training with Geelong’s VFL squad, and former Giants juniors Josh and Matt Sorgiovanni from St Mary’s.
The club’s strong connection with Hampden League club Portland has continued following the arrival of Jamieson Ballantyne, Tex Mitchell and Kade Lovell – the brother of current Giant Tanner.
Mellor also confirmed the return of popular clubman Patrick Eastman following a year off.
“He’s been working really hard on the track; his fitness is really good,” Mellor said.
“He’s clever, been around for a long time; he’s played nearly 150 games of senior GFL footy.
“He’ll be a great asset for us.”
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However, West supporters will have to wait a bit longer to see young defender Titit Nyak and former captain David Peel.
Nyak is on the comeback trail from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament suffered in the Round 2 win over Grovedale, while Peel ruptured his Achilles in the Round 7 upset of Colac.
“Titit is back running … he hasn’t yet joined in with our ball work,” Mellor said.
“He didn’t get his operation done until quite later due to a number of things, and Covid was one.
“I’m expecting him to be back sometime in the middle of the year.
“And David will be back playing footy somewhere around Round 7.”
The Giants’ first practice match is against VAFA club Williamstown CYMS at Lara on March 18 before hitouts with GFNL rivals Newtown & Chilwell (March 25 – Elderslie Reserve) and Bell Park (April 1 – Hamlyn Park).
They open the season on April 15 against the Eagles at Elderslie Reserve in the K rock broadcast game.
Twitter: @krockfootball
