Your ultimate guide to the 2025 Bellarine league season
The 2025 Bellarine league season is finally here. We break down your club’s key players, young guns, x-factor, give our verdict and see what your side has to say.
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Footy’s back in the Bellarine and plenty of posers hang in the balance ahead of a hugely anticipated Round 1 this Saturday.
Will Dom Gleeson’s Tigers complete a historic threepeat?
Has Anglesea’s quest to go one better in 2024 been cruelled by injuries to some of its key players?
Can Barwon Heads with a raft of new players bounce back to the top bracket after a disappointing 2024?
Will we see continued improvement from a Portarlington team which has undertaken a massive recruiting drive?
And will Newcomb show signs of progress after a promising off-season at Grinter Reserve?
All will be answered in what is hopefully the most even BFNL competition in recent memory.
Find out which players have arrived, which have left and how all 10 clubs are tracking following pre-season.
Torquay
Last year: Premiers
Senior coach: Dom Gleeson
Captain: James Darke, Ben McNamara
Ins: Lucas Anderson (returning from a knee injury), Blake Grant (Donald, Anglesea), Oliver Tate (Leopold)
Outs: Baxter Mensch (Robinvale Euston), Harry McLeod, Reef Page (Melbourne), Eddy McCoy (St Joseph’s)
X Factor player: Charlie Ham
Young guns: Cooper Patton, Angus Hanley, Will Montebello
“They were all listed with the Falcons last year. Patten’s really tall, can play multiple positions, uses the footy really well. They’re all aspiring young blokes who want to play at the highest level possible. “We’re really excited about those three. That’s where our growth is coming from, and not only that, the reserves group.” — Torquay coach Dom Gleeson
ADDY SAYS
The Tigers are on the cusp of history with a maiden threepeat on the horizon.
The defending champions have lost premiership players in Baxter Mensch, Eddy McCoy, Harry McLeod and Reef Page but have brought in Leopold’s Oliver Tate following back-to-back titles under Garry Hocking, plus former Anglesea forward Blake Grant who has played with Donald the past three seasons with good mate Dale Kerr.
Gun forward Lucas Anderson, who is on the comeback frail from an ACL, played the biggest role in getting both talents to Spring Creek Reserve.
However, coach Dom Gleeson is looking forward to seeing what several young players, like Banjo Dyer, Cooper Patton, Angus Hanley and Will Montebello will bring.
He’s also expecting an even bigger season from Charlie Ham who had his injury issues in 2024.
With strong leadership in James Darke and Ben McNamara, Gleeson says there are other younger heads pressing for responsibility.
COACH SAYS
“All we’re aspiring to do is be successful. Do we want to talk about threepeats? I don’t believe it’s been mentioned, it certainly hasn’t come out of my mouth.
“We’re just onto the next one, that’s how we look at it. We’re been fortunate to make grand finals and lose them, we don’t disrespect anyone but we’re definitely hunting.
“The losses we’ve lost in personnel, we’ve certainly gained in the Falcons boys, our junior kids that are coming through, and Oliver Tate and Blake Grant.
(“Tate’s) been sensational. Once you add those to the mix, we’re as strong if not stronger than last year.
“(Grant) lives in Armstrong Creek, but obviously had ties to Anglesea. Once again, the best recruiting person in the land, Lucas Anderson, he’s got us two recruits this year.
“They’re best mates and have always wanted to play footy together. They’re getting towards the twilight of their careers and wanted to play together.
“Blake’s gone and travelled, he likes this level of footy and we know he can play this level of footy. We’re really happy to have him.
“Anderson’s going OK, he’s still got a lot of work to do. We haven’t put a time on him, hopefully he’ll be good in a few weeks.
“We’ll grow from within, we’re very fortunate to have a pretty good catchment of kids who want to stay and play with Torquay.”
Anglesea
Last year: Runners up
Senior coach: Jordan Keras
Captain: TBC
Ins: Tevan Nofi (Leopold), Harrison Ling (St Mary’s), Ayden Gras (St Joseph’s), Ryan Baker (Gisborne), Declan Everett (Doncaster), Dale Kerr (Donald)
Outs: Anton Woods (Ocean Grove), Tom Couch (retired)
X Factor: Dylan Pettingill
Young gun: Will Batson
RECENT HISTORY
A 62-point thumping in the grand final almost felt like an unfair way to finish for the Roos who made great strides in 2024 after an injury-interrupted 23.
Anglesea bolstered its best 22 with some top GFNL talent, including two-time Leopold premiership player in Tevan Nofi and St Mary’s’ Harrison Ling, plus Ayden Gras from St Joseph’s.
Nofi though will be on the sidelines for the start of the season after reportedly injuring his elbow in a practice match while Jack Rice (ACL), Harrison Veale and Courtney Wedderburn (both shoulders) have been sidelined.
Anton Woods, who was one of several new faces at Ellimatta Reserve in 2024, has reportedly moved to Ocean Grove and will play with the Grubbers.
The retirement of Tom Couch will be a loss who booted 23 goals last season and was a key contributor in the finals.
Meanwhile, former Newcomb senior coach Mitch Troy joins as an assistant.
Drysdale
Last year: Third
Senior coach: Ben Carmichael
Captain: TBC
Ins: Lauchlan Dalgleish (Ballarat), Paddy Power (Irymple), Mitch Clark (Otway Districts, Ocean Grove), Lachlan Nelis (Leopold), Jackson Paatsch (Otway Districts), James Robbins (Ocean Grove)
X Factor: Jake Hargreaves
Young guns: Luke Preece, Chris Tainton, Ricky Reid, Jye Hawkins
“Luke Preece, he’s only just turned 20. He’s been at Werribee and he’s got a spot on the development list. “He’s certainly going to be improved, being part of that program. We’ll just find out week to week if he’s got a game or not (with Werribee). Chris Tainton, Ricky Reid, they’ve only just turned 20 as well, Jye Hawkins is one as well. They’ve played around 20, 30 senior games now. The good things about the kids is that they all have some good leg speed. They’re starting to feel comfortable at the level.” — Drysdale coach Ben Carmichael
ADDY SAYS
A disappointing preliminary final loss to Torquay last year for the Hawks, who went into that game with arguably its player in Ben Fennell a late out just hours before the ball was bounced at Leopold.
Following injury and unavailability, the Hawks managed to overcome a mid-season slump – dropping five games out of six – to finish in second place after Round 18 in 2024.
Big man Cam Delaney (ankle) is not expected to be back until possibly the second half of the season, however, Dalgleish is a great return for the Hawks having spent last season with Ballarat.
COACH SAYS
“There’s a few guys racing the clock (for Round 1). We’ll have most guys available apart from Cam Delaney, he’s still struggling with an ankle injury that he picked up last year. Jake (Hargreaves), he’s had a great pre-season, he’s really committed himself to the program and I think he kicked four or five in the practice match against Redan.
He’s going to take his game to another level with the time commitment he’s put in.”
Modewarre
Last year: Fourth
Senior coach: Mark Hovey
Captain: Morgan Fenton
Ins: Oscar Hocking (St Joseph’s), Elijah Satala (Penshurt), Ollie Butler (Colac), Damon Hemphill (Pyramid Hill)
Outs: Jeremy Ollis
X Factor: Connor Joseph
Young guns: Patrick Fitzgerald, Declan Prigg, Fred Royal, Jack Graham, Tom Duncan
“As a group there was about five of them that we put time into last year, really backed them and most of them played 18 games. They’re the ones we’re spending a bit of time on and see them develop.” — Modewarre coach Mark Harvey.
ADDY SAYS
Under new management in 2024, the Warriors went one better by winning in week one of the finals over Geelong Amateur.
However, the loss of the evergreen Josh Finch to a calf injury cost them in week two against a ferocious Drysdale team seriously smarting from a semi-final loss to Anglesea.
The four-time Ash medallist is back again at Mount Moriac Reserve while Hocking and Butler are expected to be in the club’s best team.
On the back of a pretty quiet off-season, senior coach Mark Hovey is mindful of developing his younger brigade and believes there will be more depth through the reserves with close to 10 new faces.
Ryan Williams, who reportedly had a great impact on some of the Warriors’ younger players last year, is not expected to take the field until a few rounds into the season after initially being uncertain about his playing future.
Former Western Bulldog Ryan Griffin has been training at the club and doing some junior coaching.
Meanwhile, talk of Geelong great Tom Hawkins playing a game for the Warriors has just that, according to Hovey.
COACH SAYS
“I anticipate our twos will push to play finals, it’s going to be way better for me to know I’ve got some pretty good depth. Ryan Williams was a bit undecided (about 2025) but he’s playing. The boys loved playing with him. Just his presence and his experience, the boys love him, he just drags them along. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do, he didn’t train before Christmas but he keeps himself fit anyway, he came back about four weeks ago and started training. He should be ready by about round four or five.
“(Finch) hasn’t missed a beat. We put games into kids last year and I didn’t intend to go out and recruit guys that were going to take their places, we’re going to back some of those kids in to get them up to the 40 senior game mark The guys we brought in were some we needed to fill some roles, some midfield depth and a key position defender.
“So I’m pretty comfortable with where we’re at and our depth’s going to be way better. I’ll be happy with what we put out against Ocean Grove (in Round 1). (Hocking’s) just really good country kid and he’s fitted in really well, he’s going to be really important for us, whether he’s holding down centre half back for we need somebody to give us a chop out and take a mark up forward.”
Geelong Amateur
Last year: Fifth
Senior coach: Sam Lloyd
Captain: Harry Kershaw, Liam Cogan
Ins: Dan Weigl (Lara), Mitch Day (Lara), Joe Maishman, Hamish Shepheard (Deniliquin), Sam Lloyd (Deniliquin)
Outs: Paddy Dowling,
Young guns: Charlie Green
“(Green) rucked in the under-18s last year. He’s come from a basketball background but his potential is ceilings, very high. A couple of things he did around the ground (against Newtown & Chilwell in a practice match), he could really come on in leaps and bounds for us. He’s probably there as a good back up for ‘Shep’ but and float forward and get dangerous down there.” — Sam Lloyd
ADDY SAYS
The Ammos, who brought in some heavy artillery in 2024 (Blake Sutterby, Tom Gribble and Paddy Dowling) were the only team to beat the premiers – by a point in Round 13 – but suffered from a disappointing finish to the season, dropping four of their last five games.
The Ammos hired former Richmond player Sam Lloyd as coach from Deniliquin following the departure of Dan Holroyd, while a one-and-done Dowling has returned to St Mary’s.
The Queens Park brigade recharged their offensive armoury though with the return of Day who was goalkicking machine across five seasons, while Lara’s Dan Weigl is also on board down back.
Unsurprisingly, Weigl, fresh off a starring role in a GCA2 premiership with the blade just days ago, has already had a big impact with his leadership and greatly impressed Lloyd.
COACH SAYS
“I’m loving it (so far). I’m glad I came down, it’s a great club, the boys have been fantastic for Riley (Kershaw) and I, they’ve made it easy by buying in from day one with the game plan and how we want to conduct ourselves, it’s been all ears. It’s been a great environment for me and the family.
“Pre-season was good, had great numbers, trained hard and hopefully we’re ready to go. We’ve got a couple out for weddings (in Round 1), a couple of social things but in terms of injuries we’re close to a full list. We’ve moved the team around a little bit to accommodate Paddy (Dowling) leaving and it’s been working well. (Shepheard) played with me at Bundoora the last few years and then again with me at Deniliquin last year, we’re just very close mates. (Day’s) 34 but he’s moving like he’s 25.
“(Weigl’s) leadership he brings and his voice down back, I’m probably just as excited to have that. Watching him going about helping others and leading that backline ... we’re bloody lucky to have him. (He) straight away started leading, just a great bloke, helps the young kids, doesn’t matter if you’re the best defender down there or the worst, he’ll give everyone the same amount of time and the same amount of teaching.”
Barwon Heads
Last year: Sixth
Senior coach: Sam Schaller
Captains: Kyle Polley, Lochie Wilson
Ins: Damian McMahon (St Mary’s), Sam Hill (Sebastapol), Ethan Lawler (Sebastapol), Jake Whybrow (Altona), Darcy Griffin (Maribyrnong Park), Flynn Young (Newtown & Chilwell, Werribee), Noah Young (returning), Xavier Whitcher (Geelong Amateur), Sonni Walter (Ocean Grove), Cameron O’Leary (returning), Zach Walter (Newtown & Chilwell)
Outs: Charlie Perks (Learmonth), Ryley Stuhldreier (Perth)
X Factor: Jake Whybrow
Young guns: Harry Hyland, Lachy Blacket
“(Hyland’s) got some tricks, beautifully balanced, knows where the goals are, he’s definitely one to look out for. A bit of left field one, Lachy Blacket, I think he’ll play a lot of senior footy this year.” — Sam Schaller
ADDY SAYS
Seagulls senior coach Sam Schaller will have plenty of depth at his disposal after a disappointing 2024.
Heads are searching for a hard bounce back after missing the finals for the first time since a seventh place in 2016, battling injury (Reid Adams did his knee in May, Sammy Baker only played 10 games, Brock Close 12) and unavailability, bringing in more than 10 new faces.
Big ins include St Mary’s’ Damien McMahon, Newtown & Chilwell’s Flynn Young and his Eagles teammate Zach Walter.
However, returning Seagull Cameron O’Leary might have a delayed start following a clean up of a knee.
Meanwhile, former co-coach Mitch Herbison has stepped down from coaching duties, has taken on an opportunity with Geelong’s VFL team and will play around 15 games, Schaller estimates at this early stage.
Herbison was Barwon Heads’ leading goalkicker last year with 48 from 16 games.
COACH SAYS
“We’ve had three (practice matches) and they’ve all been successful in different ways. We’ve got some new guys coming in, getting some continuity with that. One of the benefits of not making the finals is that you get a bit of a headstart ahead of everyone else, they’re still focused on winning finals. We had a bit of look at where we were at, what we were going to lose, Ryley Stuhldreier he won our best and fairest and he was always going to Perth. It just allowed us to probably get ahead of the curve with everyone else, everyone’s out there talking to everyone, so for us to get out a little bit of a headstart, it worked to our advantage. We always, every year we look to bring in guys that have left the club back to the club if they’re interested, that’s usually our first port of call. We kicked that off with Zach Walter and Flynn Young, who we probably won’t see a lot of.
“That probably started the domino effect for everyone else. We had three good wins (in the practice games), not that was really the driving force of them all. We just want to be flexible with the guys that we’ve got. If things aren’t going your way you’ve got to be pretty flexible. It’s probably been the strongest pre-season we’ve had in my time at the club. We’re looking pretty strong and fit in that aspect. The whole competition’s going to improve again, it’s pretty exciting actually, there’s going to be no easy games.
“Hopefully we can squeeze ourselves up a big higher.”
Queenscliff
Last year: Seventh
Coach: Heath Jamieson
Captain: Caleb Whitley
Ins: Izaac Grant (Hepburn), Zac Pozman (Grovedale), Ryson McHenry (Ocean Grove)
Outs: Jake Hedley (retired), Jai McGough (punting)
X Factor: Kai Keenan
Young guns: Joseph Cincotta, Kai Keenan
“Joe Cincotta has been developing as a ruckman the last few years. He looks really fit and ready to push that mantle against the better rucks in the competition. He’s got himself in some condition where I think he could be pretty dangerous. (Keenan) has some untapped ability I think, he hasn’t ever been really fazed about his football, it just makes you laugh watching the talent he has. I think he spent more time in the surf than on the footy field as a junior, some of the stuff he does, I haven’t seen too many people do. He could be one who could do anything.” — Heath Jamieson
ADDY SAYS
The Coutas will be looking to lean in on a promising patch of form late in 2024, where they beat top five outfits Modewarre and Anglesea in successive weeks.
In his second year as coach at the Couta Bowl, Heath Jamieson is mostly developing from within but has added goalkicking firepower in Izaac Grant from Hepburn — Jonty Rush (24 majors) was the only Queenscliff player in the top 30 for total individual goals in 2024.
Next best was Jake Hedley with 20 and he retired at the end of the BFNL season.
However, Jamieson is optimistic about the upside his squad can bring, with plenty of young players brimming with talent, but perhaps not pure footy nuffies like other clubs.
The Coutas are also kicking major goals off the field: crowned the AFL Victoria Community Club of the year in 2024, bringing in former AFL player Marcus Seacamp in a permanent wellness and mental position and appearances from David Schwarz and Jelena Dokic lined up.
COACH SAYS
“The pre-season leads you to a style that you want to play, then those three practice matches probably give you confirmation that things are going OK. We’ve been pretty happy, but still a lot of work to do. We’re pretty confident we’ll get close to our best side for Round 1. That gives us confidence, we’re still going to be a young team.
“There are a few sides that have recruited incredibly well, which bodes well for the competition. We probably haven’t been that heavy in our recruiting just yet. We like what the Queenscliff boys are bringing. One more year of our Queenscliff boys learning to play the style we want them to play, and getting to that 60-80 game mark will make us pretty dangerous. We’re expecting improvement in our young kids that will take us to where we want to be.
“I don't think we’re quite there to be heavy in the recruitment department at the moment, we’re not a top three side pushing for the flag just yet, we’re going to invest some time into our youngsters. We’ll make sure there’s a game for them every week, and who knows where they can take us, they’re a pretty exciting bunch. Last year they took us to a spot where we were pretty happy with and we think with the natural improvement, a year older a year stronger, who knows what they’ll do this year. Off-field I think we’re one of the stronger clubs, we’re very financial. We’ve got a passionate president (in Ali Waight) who does a lot of work and we are trying to nurture our footballers and netballers and club people with things outside of life.”
Ocean Grove
Last year: Eighth
Coach: Nick Bourke, Dave Farrell
Captain: TBC
Ins: Anton Woods (Anglesea), Gus Bourke (Terang Mortlake), Mitch Ward (Darley), Jai Hale (Mordialloc), Adam Walsh (Benalla), Joe McDonald (Newtown & Chilwell), Taj Wyburd (Peel Thunder), Rhys Devlin (Newtown & Chilwell)
Outs: Ed Dayman
X Factor: Brady Pritchard
Young guns: Josh Lange, Jamison Hallam
“(Lange’s) just about to come into that ripe age of 22, 23, he’s had a full pre-season, playing predominantly through the midfield. He hasn’t missed a beat, I feel like he’s going to take that next step with his footy and his leadership. Jamison debuted last year against Anglesea in Round 18, he’s pretty special with what he can do, he’s pretty tall, pretty lanky, but reads the ball so well and had super closing speed, I have no doubt he’s going to have a good impact for us.” — Nick Bourke
ADDY SAYS
The Grubbers lost the talented Ed Dayman through the pre-season while Kye Annand will spend time with Geelong’s VFL team.
However, senior co-coach Nick Bourke is confident he can plug any hole and is bullish about what his raft of new recruits can bring to a young squad, with Joe McDonald and Rhys Devlin returning to the Grubbers and Jai Hale in the ruck via Mordialloc.
Bourke and co-coach Dave Farrell identified some holes in the list – needing some additional height and midfield depth – while bringing in further footy IQ via ex-Modewarre mentor Chris Carlon as an assistant — he reportedly lives a stone’s throw from the ground.
With four practice matches under the belt, the Grubbers are feeling as prepared as they can be approaching Round 1.
COACH SAYS
“We’ve been lucky a few who have been super for us in pre-season, a lot of them have brought a lot of experience which has been great for our young group. (Woods) brings a wealth of knowledge and he’s just a super person as well. (Carlon) lives a stone’s throw away from the footy ground, he loves footy and has knowledge to burn,
“He’s going to work predominantly with our backs. We’ve ticked all the boxes before Round 1, everything we can control we’ve controlled so far. Now that unknown hits with what the league’s doing, everyone seems to have recruited really well, which is great for the competition. We’re a very young side and we understand last year we were a little behind where we wanted to be. The hunger’s there, we’re just looking forward to taking that next step as a group.”
Portarlington
Last year: Ninth
Coach: Darren Findlay
Captain: Mitch Turnbull, Max Ruiter
Ins: Jack Dorgan (Deer Park), Scott Greenhough (Deer Park), Nick Sing (Williamstown), Caleb Kennedy (Bendigo Pioneers), Nick Lane (Leopold), Riley Hayden (Leopold), Tom Panuccio (Swan Districts, Newtown & Chilwell), Mitch Howard (Leopold).
Outs: Jaryd Cachia
X Factor: Jack Dorgan (Deer Park)
Young guns: Jesse Hunter, Tom Gillett, Harry Sedgmen
“(Gillett’s) a local young fellow, and he’s been going very well so far, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s a 10-year player at least. A great kid, great attitude, he’s a Portarlington person through and through. Harry Sedgmen and Jesse Hunter, both really good prospects and with another full pre-season under their belt, will hold them in good stead for this year, I’m looking forward to what they can give us this year.” — David Burke (senior football director)
ADDY SAYS
It was a memorable year for the Demons in 2024 as they won their first BFNL game in almost five years, and showed promise for the future.
Having recruited three former AFL players – Connor Menadue, Teia Miles and Jaryd Cachia – there was an early bump in productivity, going two from two to start the year.
However, Cachia would retire after Round 5 due to injury while Menadue was restricted to nine games for similar problems.
But Miles was easily Port’s most consistent and influential player.
The big watch will be if the Demons can maintain the rage and continue their upward trajectory under new coach Darren Findlay.
The Demons have rivalled the likes of Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove for off-season acquisitions, bringing in highly regarded Deer Park premiership player, Scott Greenhough.
The club is also excited about what Dorgan can bring to the table through the midfield and forward of the ball.
CLUB SAYS
“There’s been a lot of planning going into the development of a good squad, building on those last couple of years. Hopefully we can keep that momentum going. We’re very happy with (our list), a lot better than what we thought, originally. The proof will be in the eating but we’re very happy with where we’ve got. We thought we had a strong top end last year, but we’ve really increased that top end talent and some depth. We’ve maintained our list apart from Jaryd (Cachia).” — David Burke (senior football director)
Newcomb
Last year: 10th
Coach: Tony Mirabella
Captain: Ryan Jackman
Ins: Oliver Poulson (Waratah), Jaycob Dingwall (Rochester), Caleb Morrissy (Leopold), Dion Johnstone (St Mary’s), Judd Smith (St Mary’s), Elliott Taylor (Rochester), Joe Clark (Hepburn)
Outs: Andrew Steele (East Geelong), Tom Smith (Alvie), Jack Walsh (Portland)
X Factor: Jacob Watson
Young guns: Oliver Poulson (Waratah), Judd Smith, Charlie Harvey
“Judd Smith (is) probably one that was missed in the system having been up in the Wimmera and then shifting down to Geelong as an 18-year-old. Will provide us with some real energy and composure in space. Charlie Harvey, a broken jaw and numerous other injuries in 2024 after coming third in our best and fairest as a 19-yr-old in 2023. “Just another player who provides leg speed, spark and pressure around the contest.” — Tony Mirabella
ADDY SAYS
With the Power celebrating its 50th anniversary, coach Tony Mirabella will be looking for further green shoots of improvement after last year’s two-win campaign and a busy off-season replenishing its stocks.
There are good points of reference to lean into, with the Power running BFNL heavyweights Torquay and Drysdale to 11 and eight-point margins early in the season last year, followed by a close encounter with the Ammos.
The Power appeared to have bolstered its midfield with the addition of highly-regarded Territory talent in Oliver Poulson, establishing a connection with Newcomb’s Josh Saltalamacchia at iconic NT club, Waratah.
Dion Johnstone also lands at Grinter Reserve from St Mary’s, as does former under-18s vice-captain and cousin of Jarrod Stafford, Judd Smith.
Mirabella will also be looking for another bumper season from Jack Duke, who was superb in 2024 with 71 goals from 18 games — kicking close to 45 per cent of his team’s majors.
COACH SAYS
“We’re a lot closer than we think, but it’s going to come down to finishing off a couple of those close ones early in the season. We just need to strive to be as consistent in terms of performance as some of those sides like a Torquay, a Drysdale, a Barwon Heads, to be in that constant conversation rather than always being a maybe or a what if team. We’ve just got to own, we need to replicate what these other teams are doing in our league.”
Originally published as Your ultimate guide to the 2025 Bellarine league season
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