Part of the mass exodus of players from last year’s grand final team, St Joseph’s has welcomed one of the departees home following the return of Hunter Lewis to Geelong.
The 2023 Rookie of the Year signed with Queensland club Noosa Tigers, led by former North Shore coach Darren Winter, in the off-season after 120 goals in 48 games with Joeys.
Lewis made four senior appearances for Noosa, kicking five goals in his second appearance for the club against Broadbeach.
However, he was dropped to the reserves on May 9 and has since returned home.
“I’m pretty excited to have him back at Joeys,” co-coach James Gow said.
“He gives us great goalkicking power and another avenue for us down there, which is great.”
However, Lewis won’t be given a free ride back into the senior team, which sits fourth on the ladder after impressive wins over Geelong West in Bell Park in the past fortnight.
Gow says he won’t be selected at any level this weekend and will likely play in the reserves against Leopold next week.
“He’s got a bit of a return to play program at the moment, so we’re working through that with him,” Gow said.
“He’ll work his way through back 12 o’clock, and when he’s up and going and ready to go, he’ll be up for selection for two (o’clock).”
Fourth-placed St Joseph’s (4-3) faces Colac (5th 3-3) at Plan Group Oval in a contest that will go a long way to determining the finals hopes of last year’s runners-up.
Victory over the Tigers will give the Joeys an eight-point buffer inside the top five approaching the halfway mark of the season.
“We’re really keen to put a bit of space between us and them,” Gow said.
“These wins are important throughout the middle of the year.
“Hopefully, we can get a win on the board and put ourselves in a good spot.”
Werribee-listed young gun Liam Kershaw will exit the concussion protocol following an incident in the loss to St Mary’s earlier this month and is expected to play on Saturday.
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