Reigning GFNL leading goalkicker Adam Garner will be missing from the Colac line-up for tomorrow night’s Opening Round meeting with Bell Park at Central Reserve.
The star forward suffered a hamstring injury in a practice match last month and is unlikely to be seen until after the Easter break.
Garner kicked a career-best 62 goals in 2024 to become just the second Tiger to win the award.
Colac also couldn’t consider veteran defender Jarryn McCormack, who is battling an ankle injury, while Tobyn Murray is on VFL duty.
The Tigers will unveil four debutants.
Essendon VFL-listed Oskar Smartt will play alongside uncle Kane for the first time, while Port Melbourne-listed Jack Skinner has also been named.
They’ve also handed a debut to Alvie recruit Micah Robb, while all eyes will be on former St Kilda star Seb Ross in his first match as playing co-coach.
The Dragons have named two-time Hampden League best-and-fairest Jett Bermingham for his first outing in green and white, while also handing a debut to teenager Zach Lamb.
Jacob Nihill will carry the ruck load in the absence of Ollie Bridgewater (leg) and Ollie Hicks (unavailable) in his first match since undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in July.
Captain Lachie Patten, Zac McInnes, Charlie Sarcevic and Jake Reid will also be sidelined.
Kobe George, Hamish Lucas, Jack Sarcevic and Osca Riccardi played VFL with Geelong earlier today.
Newtown & Chilwell will unveil five debutants for its mouth-watering match-up with St Joseph’s at Elderslie Reserve as Steve Johnson begins his stint as coach of the Eagles.
Mitch Dodos (Kyabram), Logan Morey (Yarrawonga) and Felix Katsaros (Sturt) will pull on the red and black for the first time, while Ben Pennisi and reigning AFL Barwon under-18 Division 1 best-and-fairest Jett Modola will make their senior debut.
Former Geelong rookie Oscar Murdoch has also been named along with former Geelong Falcon Edan Ibbetson.
Joeys will unveil Keelin Betson (Grovedale), 2023 Bellarine Rookie of the Year Ed McCoy (Torquay), 2023 GDFNL Rookie of the Year James Hose (Bannockburn), and former junior Cooper Ward following his return from Barwon Heads.
Premiership star Cal Mitchell and Geelong VFL-listed defender Joey Chaplin will play their first games for the club since 2023.
Star trio Luke Webb, Jack Buckley, and Hunter Lewis will all start their season in the reserves after delayed pre-seasons.
Paddy DeGrandi was also in VFL action for Geelong.
St Joseph’s coach Ron Watt will renew acquaintances with Johnson, who was part of the star-studded 2002 Geelong VFL premiership that Watt coached.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Steve on Saturday – we’re old mates,” he said.
“They are a little bit of an unknown because they have lost a few of their experienced players and they’ve brought a couple in and they’ve got some great kids there – they’ve won the last three premierships in the under-18s.
“They’ve got plenty of young boys to develop and they’re going to have a really exciting list.”
PODCAST: BEYOND THE BOUNDARY – APRIL 2
K rock Football is live for tomorrow’s Newtown & Chilwell-St Joseph’s clash from 12pm via krockfootball.live.
X: @krockfootball
