It won’t surprise anyone to know that Geelong West has been one of the most active GFNL clubs this off-season.
Led by new coach Garry Hocking and recruiting boss Adam Vaughan, the Giants now have six confirmed signings.
After unveiling Thomson star Jed Hanneysee, Xavier Hayter (Leopold) and Tamar Holt (South Barwon/Geelong College), West has also added experienced Bannockburn player Rob Maibaum, Torquay premiership ruck Jack Thompson, and talented Thomson youngster Roy Dixon.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the six inclusions,” Hocking said
“We just haven’t gone willy-nilly. We’ve tried to look at the last 12 months and the gaps in the list, and being in the background for the 12 months that I was at Geelong West, I sort of was able to come into the seat and identify with some of that knowledge what the list needed
“In particular, some high talent and also some more experience, which we’ve been able to gain over the last two months.
“It’s been great work by Adam Vaughan and the recruiting team to be out there and hunting phone numbers and names, and we’ve been able to turn that into contracts signed, which has been great for the footy club.”
Maibaum spent two years under Hocking at Leopold after being recruited from Montrose and featured in the Lions’ 2023 premiership before joining Bannockburn.
“Just an outstanding person; great qualities,” Hocking said.
“He’ll bring a lot of experience and high-quality footy to the boys at West.”
Thompson played 34 senior matches over four seasons for Torquay, including the Tigers’ 2024 grand final win over Anglesea.
He made eight appearances this year, including the qualifying final and second semi-final victories.
However, with Spence Meagher returning from injury, Thompson was squeezed out of the grand final team that lost to Queenscliff.
“Jack, in his last four games, was in the best two, and two being in the finals against Queenscliff and Ammos (Geelong Amateur), where he was actually best player for Torquay,” Hocking said.
“He’s an up-and-coming forward/ruck that we targeted due to Max Scoullar moving away for work placement.
“This kid’s ready to catch fire and to improve his footy, and I guess challenge himself at the next level.
“So we’re delighted to have him. Very competitive, a great person, and it looks like he can play.”
A Torquay junior, Dixon spent 2026 with Thomson, playing every game for the Tigers and representing the GDFNL in the under-25 interleague clash against Colac and District.
Hocking is also excited by what Hayter can produce after getting a taste of senior action at Leopold over the past two seasons.
“He was stuck in behind (Connor) Giddings and (Jake) Pitt from a key forward point of view,” Hocking said.
“Maybe a little bit of a new role for Xavier at West. I won’t disclose it right at the moment, but he’s excited.
“It’s a little bit untapped, his talent. 23, good size, could play back or forward and also support in the rucks.
“Looking forward to seeing what he can do and atwhat the ceiling is is for Big Xavier.”
Hocking is hopeful that there are more signings to come.
“We’re not done yet,” he said. “We’re still in contact with quite a number of other players that we are reaching out to or we’ve had conversations or we’re waiting on a confirmed answer either way.
“We’re still hopeful of more exciting news for the footy club and the supporters and also the sponsors.
“Initially, we’ve been able to get this group of highly talented players into the footy club.
“It’s a list needs and the next group of players will complement what we’ve already got and what we’ve brought in. S
“Hopefully we have some really good news over the next couple of weeks.”
Hocking is also looking forward to working with the Giants’ group of under-18 graduates, with their AFL Barwon Division 1 team featuring in finals in 2026.
Training will start mid-November, with a skills the focus pre-Christmas.
“I want them driving home with sore hands, where they can hardly sort of hold on to the steering wheel,” he said.
“Lots and lots of footy and lots and lots of fun.”
X: @krockfootball
