Another chapter in Braden Hocking’s remarkable story, which began with an “out of the blue” decision to move from Bendigo to Geelong 13 years ago, will be written in Sunday’s Geelong Big Freeze clash.
The Newtown & Chilwell veteran will become just the seventh player in the club’s history to play 200 senior games when he runs out against South Barwon at Jardon Oval on Saturday.
Hocking joins an illustrious group in the Eagles’ 200 Club that includes games record holder Craig Morrissy, three-time Mathieson medallist Matt McMahon, 1980s great Mark Hall, Noel Fanning, Ron Harris and Bob Jones.
(I) had two mates that moved down (to Geelong) and (they) had a place in their house and were into me,” Hocking told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“So I decided to move down on a Friday night, and the only two blokes I knew in Geelong both played ressies at Newtown.
“So they called me the Friday night I moved, and went, ‘Do you want to play tomorrow?’
“And so I rocked up and haven’t left ever since.”
A best-and-fairest winner in 2024, Hocking has been durable and consistent across his career.
He debuted in 2013 and became a regular senior player in 2014. Over 11 seasons from 2014-2025, he averaged 17 games per season.
Hocking has also featured among the best players in around a third of his 199 games, proof of that consistency.
“I like to pride myself on being able to do that, and being pretty versatile for the team about where they need me to play,” he said.
“But there’s probably a few too many in there if I played in the back line a lot of times.
“You don’t really love your back line getting in the best too many times over a season.”
Following Matt McMahon’s retirement at the end of the 2024 season, Hocking has been the lone survivor from the Towners’ most recent grand final appearance, the 2015 loss to St Joseph’s.
There have been chances since, most notably 2022, when a contentious 50m penalty awarded to Leopold in the dying seconds of the preliminary final resulted in a Connor Giddings goal after the siren for the Lions, who were well beaten by St Mary’s the following week.
“I’m glad you brought that up… I’m pretty sure he marked it on top of my head,” Hocking recalled.
“I blame the 75-metre penalty, saying I was meant to be in the right spot.
“Straight on top of my dome, I think he got it.”
Newtown & Chilwell (2nd, 6-0) enters the meeting with South Barwon (3rd, 5-1) as one of the two remaining unbeaten teams in the competition.
Victory over the Swans will have the Eagles well placed for a crack at consecutive finals berths under second-year coach Steve Johnson.
“I think the second year into a system obviously helps that a lot,” Hocking said.
“We had a lot of young guys come in and… we probably overachieved from where we expected last year, with how many (under) 18s guys and stuff we had come through and new guys come in.
“It’s been a lot different this year. We’re obviously going quite well at the moment, but having that expectation this year and being able to take the next step is what we’re really driving, and hopefully we can keep it rolling.”
Newtown & Chilwell have named co-captain Luke Maddock, Charlie Byrne and Blake Sutterby in their squad after they all missed last week’s win over Geelong West.
While Geelong VFL-listed Ben Pennisi looks set to play his first game of the season following an injury-delayed start to the year.
After being managed last week, South Barwon pair Kelly O’Neil and Oscar Pollock replace Chris Hughes and Wil Bennett.
St Mary’s has named under-18 graduate Hamish Tana among two inclusions for its meeting with Geelong West at Scaada Stadium (West Oval).
The Saints also welcome back captain Jack Blood.
Harry McMahon is being managed, while young big Mackenzie Butcher is in the concussion protocol.
Young Giant Will Nicholls has returned to Geelong Falcons duty, while Oscar Leavold has been omitted.
They’ve been replaced by Charlie Leavold and Luke Wittman.
St Albans has been forced into five changes as it prepares to host Bell Park at St Albans Reserve.
Cody Brogden (ACL) and Tyson Roberts (broken leg) both suffered season-ending injuries in the pre-bye loss to South Barwon.
Bailey Coutts and Tom Caudullo will be sidelined for at least a fortnight, while WAFL-based big man Matt McKenzie will be missing but should be back for next week’s clash with Newtown & Chilwell.
They’ve been replaced by debutant Lachie Foster, who crossed to the Supersaints from St Joseph’s in the off-season, recalled duo Sam Cunningham and Hunter Dickson, and the returning Zac Larkins and Ethan Guida.
The Dragons have lost Ned Payne and Tom Pearson to concussion, with James Worme omitted from the team that was well beaten by Joeys last week.
Rhys McWaters returns from injury, Tom Montgomery has been recalled from the reserves, and Charlie Trezise will make his second senior appearance after debuting late last year.
St Joseph’s will welcome back Werribee-listed speedster Liam Kershaw from concussion, but will be without captain Al Hickey for its matchup with Colac at Plan Group Oval.
The Tigers will be without veteran Joffy Simpkin (leg) but get back VFL-listed pair Jack Skinner and Hunter Wright, along with experienced pair Lachie Simpkin and Leigh Gorwell.
Midfielder Connor Walmsley will make his first appearance of the season for North Shore, which hosts Grovedale at Windsor Park.
The Tigers could be without veteran big man Ryan Abbott until after the league bye in July, after he suffered a calf injury.
Jack Caia is also missing due to injury. Billy Ford returns after sitting out last week’s loss to St Mary’s on the day before his wedding, while Josh Hasell debuts after crossing from South Barwon, where he played in the 2024 reserves premiership.
Leopold has the bye.
More to come
X: @krockfootball
