THE GAMES
- St Albans vs. Colac @ The Gordon TAFE Oval @ 1:50pm (K rock Football GFL Match of the Day)
- St Mary’s vs. Leopold @ Anthony Costa Oval @ 7:00pm
MATCH OF THE ROUND
A big night is on the cards at Anthony Costa Oval. Not only will St Mary’s unfurl its 2019 premiership flag, but the Saints will also officially open the redeveloped Don Mathieson Pavilion ahead of its clash with Leopold. The two teams last met in the 2019 elimination final, with St Mary’s handing the Polders 90-point hiding on its way to becoming just the second team to win the GFL premiership from fifth spot. Making life difficult is the absence of premiership trio Jai and Marcus Thompson and Mitch Patten.
NEW FACES FOR SAINTS
Reigning premier St Mary’s will have at least eight changes to the team that won the premiership in September 2019 against Leopold. Former Geelong Falcons Charlie Sprague and Keidan Rayner will make their debut, as will Darcy Chirgwin, whose father Darren played in the Saints’ 1992 flag. Former North Shore and Bell Park forward Jonathon Arcoraci will make his first appearance for St Mary’s at senior level, while ruck Sam Conway, Ned Shannon, Harry Kol and Harry McMahon all didn’t feature in the grand final. They replace departed quintet Andrew Banjanin (retired), Jacob Welsh (Broadbeach), Jesse Travaglini (Southport), Paddy Dowling (Glenelg) and Kyle Reid (Port Melbourne/Leongatha). Max Augerinos is unavailable after being selected in VFL club Werribee’s final practice match, while the McMahon twins, Hayden and Dylan, will line up in the reserves after another late finish to their cricket commitments with GCA powerhouse East Belmont.
LEERSEN CLOSE TO MILESTONE
Colac great Kane Leersen will join an exclusive club if he can kick a goal in the clash with St Albans. The veteran of 222 games needs one more six-pointer to become just the third Tiger to reach 250 goals since the club joined the competition in 2001. Teammate Jake McGuane and retired star Jake Carmody are the only other two to reach the mark.
PRACTICE MATCH ACTION
Five GFL clubs will use this weekend for their final practice match ahead of their season starting on April 17. Newtown & Chilwell will meet Geelong West at Elderslie Reserve, while Grovedale, Bell Park and North Shore are all at home against Ballarat league clubs. The Tigers meet Ballarat Swans, the Dragons take on North Ballarat, and the Seagulls host Lake Wendouree.
GFL-aligned players named in VFL squads this weekend
Carlton: Cooper Stephens (Colac)
Collingwood: Scott Selwood (St Mary’s)
Frankston: Jack Berry (Leopold)
Geelong: Jye Chalcraft (St Mary’s)
Werribee: Max Augerinos (St Mary’s), Wylie Buzza (St Mary’s), Jay Dahlhaus (St Mary’s), Jack Henderson (St Mary’s), Joe Maishman (St Mary’s)
THE TEAMS
