GFNL Grand Final combatants St Mary’s and South Barwon will train one last time tonight (Wednesday) before settling their teams for Friday’s decider.
South’s young gun Zach Stevens confirmed on stage at last night’s Mathieson Medal presentation, after receiving the GFNL’s rising star award, that he would play his first game for the club since Round 15.
Since then, he’s featured in Geelong’s VFL finals campaign, including Sunday’s grand final loss to Box Hill, and earned an invite to next month’s Victorian draft combine.
Swans captain Matt Caldow is excited by the prospect of Stevens showing his wares on GMHBA Stadium.
“We watched him in the under-18s grand final last year, and he had an awesome day; best on ground,”.
“But you never quite know how it will translate to senior footy, but Steveo’s just taken it all in his stride and seems to get better and better every week.
“And I hope it all goes well for him because he’s got all the attributes.”
Stevens’ Cats grand final teammate Paddy Kelly is also likely to play on Friday.
However, South Barwon has conceded that Lachie Weidemann won’t be eligible after the VFL decider took him past the 12-match threshold to return to the GFNL.
The Saints will welcome back assistant coach Ryan Pendlebury (AFLW coaching commitments) and young ruck Fletcher Hughes (Port Melbourne VFL), both of whom missed the second semi-final victory over the Swans.
Tom Myers looms as one of the two unlucky players at Anthony Costa Oval.
After making two late home-and-away season appearances, he earned a spot in the second semi-final after Mackenzie Butcher was suspended for an incident in the Round 20 win over Colac.
“Fletch had a really good stint at the VFL, and unfortunately they got knocked out,” co-captain Brayden Ham said.
“But, fortunately for us, we get him back. He’s had a couple of weeks with us training, so he’ll be ready to go.
“There’s obviously going to be some unlucky names to probably miss out.
“It’s an awkward time of year for some blokes.”
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