Barwon Heads again the side to catch in 2023
Barwon Heads again appear the team to beat ahead of the new Bellarine league season but there’s plenty of reasons why the Seagulls reign will end. Here’s everything you need to know.
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WILL Barwon Heads lift the cup for a third-straight season?
Or will Torquay end the Seagulls’ reign of dominance in the Bellarine Football League and secure its ninth premiership?
Both clubs are seemingly the frontrunners for the 2023 flag, but Drysdale and Modewarre remain firmly in the premiership picture.
The Hawks finished second on the ladder last season, but fell in the preliminary final to Barwon Heads, who surged from third to secure back-to-back flags.
Torquay claimed the minor premiership, but had to be content as the bridesmaid for a second-straight time as the Seagulls caused another boilover in the grand final.
Fast forward 12 months and the BFL powerhouses are set for another tilt.
Barwon Heads has experienced changed at the top, with premiership-winning coach and famed local footy mentor Dan Donati exiting the club.
Mitch Herbison, a former senior coach of the Seagulls, has joined forces with Sam Schaller to lead the flag defence.
And there’s been no shortage of changes at Howard Harmer Oval.
Former Collingwood star and ex-Lara coach Tony Armstrong has retired, as has Nick Avery and Shaun Lyle, while Will Jacobs, Noah McGregor-Dawson and Andy Walsgott have departed.
Coming in are a swag of recruits, with Jack Blackburn (Ballarat Swans), Luke Davis, James Syddall (South Barwon) Harris King and Ryley Stuhldreier (Bacchus Marsh), Cam O’Leary (Palm Beach), Ben O’Sullivan (Kolora-Noorat), Charlie Perks (North Ballarat) and Lachie Slorach (Navarre) boosting an already strong outfit.
At Torquay, it’s been quiet on the recruiting front.
Charlie Ham is a major signing, fresh from a stint with Werribee VFL.
Star spearhead Cal Currie has departed in a blow to the club, while Roscoe Holmes and Dom Gleeson have retired.
Gleeson, however, will remain as non-playing coach.
The challenge is set to come from Modewarre, who has been busy in the off-season.
With Doug Beames, Ollie Butler, Jack Beardsell and Lachie Warburton leaving, the Warriors have added a host of quality recruits, namely powerful forward Scott Hughes as well as Jack Barrow, Oscar Cooke, Jayden Exell, Fletcher Joseph and Jack Slater to be right in the mix.
Drysdale will also be a contender, although the list of outs is slightly alarming.
The Hawks have lost twin star forwards Jarrod Garth and Mat Hebbard, while Billy Beardsell, Chris Lynch, star defender Tev Nofi, Adam Nolan and Mitch Scott have walked out the door.
Geelong Amateur, who finished fifth last season, is another club set to rise.
Ammos have made further inroads, with Riley Ferguson, Josh Grabowski, Daniel Grose, Xavier Muhor, Jai Sheahan and Tom Zeitz all making their way to Queens Park.
Anglesea, who finished a game-and-a-half outside the top five last season, has also been active.
The ‘Seas have added more than 10 recruits — headlined by former Gold Coast Sun and St Mary’s star Josh Jaska — to position themselves for a finals push.
Queenscliff, sixth last season, has been quiet, while Portarlington has made some big moves.
The Demons have added Altona pair Mitch Turnbull and Kelly Pickard among a handful of other additions in a move that we only provide optimism at Ron Evans Oval.
Newcomb, under new coach Mitch Troy, might have to wait another year to play finals. So too will Ocean Grove, who has appointed former South Barwon coach Dave Farrell.
LAST SEASON
Premiers: Barwon Heads
League best-and-fairest: James Darke (Torquay)
League leading goalkicker: Mat Hebbard (Drysdale, 87)
2023 bold prediction: Barwon Heads surge to a three-peat without losing a game
Premiers: Barwon Heads
League best-and-fairest: James Darke (Torquay)
League leading goalkicker: Mat Hebbard (Drysdale, 87)
2023 BOLD PREDICTION: Barwon Heads surge to a three-peat without losing a game
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