Grovedale will have access to VFL-listed trio Nathan Kreuger, Cooper Whyte and newcomer Caiden Gardiner for Saturday’s Round 1 meeting with South Barwon at McDonald Reserve.
A competition-wide bye has opened the door for all three to play, with Geelong giving the green light for Kreuger to play after missing the opening three rounds of the VFL season through injury.
Whyte has played in every game for Werribee, while Gardiner, who has arrived from AFL Cairns club Centrals Trinity Beach, has had his own injury issues, which have kept him out of the selection frame at the VFL Tigers.
“We’re really excited to have all three boys available in the one team,” coach Jacob Spolding said.
“It certainly will add a bit of excitement amongst the playing group and the supporter base.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing all three of them in the same team this weekend.”
Kreuger, who played 15 AFL games across stints at Geelong and Collingwood, made three appearances for Grovedale in 2025 during his return to the Cats, against St Albans.
On that day, he kicked seven goals in a match-winning performance alongside his brother Matt.
Matt won’t be available this week, but the youngest brother, Brad, who has joined the club from Encounter Bay in South Australia, will make his Grovedale debut.
“That’ll be the first time they play together, which is exciting,” Spolding said.
Whyte, who made one AFL appearance for Geelong in 2023, has been with Werrribee since 2024, playing in their drought-breaking premiership.
He played two games for Grovedale at the end of the 2025 season.
“He’ll add some class and polish around the midfield and allow us to bat a bit deeper in there as well, which is great,” Spolding said.
Spolding will also unveil a Grovedale junior as a debutant, with the name to be confirmed at selection on Thursday night.
The Tigers will be without Harrison Whyte (hamstring), while Cooper Leach and Will Jeffrey are unavailable.
Spolding, who is entering his third season in the top job at Burdoo Reserve, is looking forward to the challenge of taking on a team expected to be in the battle for this year’s flag.
“South Barwon would have ambitions to finish high up on the ladder with the list that they’ve been able to put together,” he said.
“They’re well coached, as we know, with Mark (Neeld).
“So, we’re excited to test ourselves against what will probably be one of the top two or three teams in the comp in Round 1 with a team that’s near full strength.”
Meanwhile, reigning premier St Mary’s will have access to former Geelong rookie Xavier Ivisic and 2025 finals star Michael Rudd for its meeting with Colac at Australian Lamb Company Stadium.
Ivisic is yet to break into Werribee’s team after spending last year with the Cats, while Rudd was omitted after two appearances for Port Melbourne.
The Saints have ruled out premiership pair Charlie Lang and Chris Jansen, with both recovering from soft-tissue injuries.
With a bye fixtured in Round 2, that duo is expected to be available for the clash agaist Bell Park on April 26.
X: @krockfootball
