GDFL teams building quick to chase 2023 flag after recruiting spree

A number of clubs are feeling the pressure around the GDFL as teams ready themselves for a flag race in 2023, with multiple clubs making major recruiting moves.

GDFL semi finals Senior footy: Bannockburn v Bell post Hill Bannockburn 12 Josh Andrews and Bell post Hill 8 jack Yates Picture: Mark Wilson

Bell Post Hill stalwart Nick Costello says he sees the mass recruitment around the GDFL and believes it has put the pressure on the Panthers to chase a premiership while the club is in a contending window.

Multiple clubs have added former GFL players to bolster their lists, with Winchelsea, Bannockburn and Inverleigh all active in their recruiting drives.

Costello said the Panthers pushed to bring in more talent, knowing the chance to win a premiership was in 2023.

Bell Post Hill has signed a number of players ahead of 2023. Picture: Mark Wilson

“We were probably about three or four extra players away from making that next step last season, so to be proactive with our recruiting and focused on getting young recruits in with a bit of speed,” he said.

“The new young guys have brought that extra level of excitement and I think we’ve got guys who are really going to add to it all.

“It gives us good depth that we haven’t really had since Covid, so to have that knowing there’s eight or nine good players in the reserves that can step up and play a role really offers us plenty of value through a long season.”

Bell Post Hill has been one of the league’s most active teams in the recruiting season, bringing in Boe Collins, Renn Lovitt and Mink Govus as some of the big inclusions for 2023.

Reece Conca has signed with GDFL club Bannockburn. Picture: Bannockburn Football Netball Club

But defending premiers Bannockburn landed the league’s biggest fish so far, recruiting Reece Conca for the season, while Inverleigh signed James Hussey out of South Warrnambool.

Costello said the competition was the strongest it had been in years, and it was hard to get a gauge on which teams would be competitive.

“I think the majority of the last five or six years, the top five is pretty much the same,” he said.

James Hussey played for Newcomb before moving to South Warrnambool. Picture: Stephen Harman

“Inverleigh and Bannockburn have topped up again, but Winchelsea has gone hard, Thomson has picked up some good players too.

“It’s hard to get a bit of a grip in the pre-season, it takes until about round 10 when everyone’s played each other once to know where everyone is at.

“Sometimes these big-name recruits come into the competition and don’t quite make an impact like they should.

“We try not to focus on what’s going on outside of these four walls, but it’s hard not to notice what everyone else is doing to get better, the competition is definitely stronger than it has been in the last few years.”

Originally published as GDFL teams building quick to chase 2023 flag after recruiting spree