GDFL season preview: Every team for 2023 season
The season is finally here, and the Addy has broken down each team’s recruits and predictions ahead of 2023. Find out what each coach is expecting for the year here.
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With the GDFL season set to start this weekend, the Addy has broken down all of the clubs’ recruits and departures, and spoken to the coaches about each side’s prospects for 2023.
Break down the season here.
Anakie
Last year: 12th
IN: Jayme Gilmore (Wyndhamvale), Robbie Milne (Point Cook), Matt Malual (Seymour), Charlie Saunders (Queenscliff), Luke Lawrence (Queenscliff), Ben Moore (Bannockburn), Brodie Gillett (Lara)
OUT: Darren Morrish (retired), Dale Collins (retired)
Club says: “With the retirement of 2022 senior players Darren Morrish and Dale Collins, the off-season has been busy for us and we look forward to what the new recruits can add to the list. The players have been excited to see the development over the pre-season.” - coach Daniel Bunworth.
Addy says: It was a tough year for Anakie in 2022, going without a win. The club will hope to claim a victory or two throughout the season and show meaningful progress on and off the field, but the squad is still young and finding its feet.
Prediction: 12th
Bannockburn
Last year: 1st
IN: Alex Beardsell (St Albans), Reece Conca (Blackburn), Blake Podnar (Bell Post Hill)
OUT: Jack Brauman (Queensland), Ben Cole (Dunkeld), Josh Cole (retired), Brent Harding (retired), Daniel Ladgrove (retired), Lachie Middleton (South Barwon), Billy Ritchie (Leopold)
Club says: “We are going to be a very young group but it’s definitely exciting times, we will blood a lot of juniors this year. The preseason has been good and our goals are obviously to be there again. Our expectations are always to educate our youth and guide them into the senior side, helping them both on and off the field. We’re looking forward to the year ahead and seeing how far we can go.”
Addy says: After winning two consecutive premierships, is it possible to get better? With the Tigers signing former AFL gun Reece Conca for the season, we think so. Bannockburn has been the benchmark of the competition the past few seasons and should be fighting it out for another flag this year.
Prediction: 1st
Belmont
Last year: 8th
IN: Jake Dowell (Rokewood Corindhap), Matt Graham (St Albans), Corey Jarrad (Geelong Amateur), Shaun McNamara (St Albans), Scott Mitchell (Barwon Heads), Harry Thompson (Torquay), Brent Vermeulen (St Albans), Andy Walsgott (Barwon Heads)
OUT: Nathan Bisset (Thomson), Brent Jacques (Thomson), Alex Jolley (Thomson)
Club says: “It’s really exciting to return back to my old club in a coaching role, the playing group has been really easy to slot into and give directions to. We want to bring a real intensity to our games and be more competitive and really push for finals this year, and find some success in this new era of the club.” - co-coach Brent Vermeulen
Addy says: Landing two new co-coaches will have the playing group up and about in the early parts of the season, with a new game plan and structure to come along with it. Brent Vermeulen and Andy Walsgott have already tempered expectations on the year and are hoping for long-term success at the club.
Prediction: 9th
Bell Post Hill
Last year: 4th
IN: Tom Bryans (Bell Park), Boe Collins (North Cairns), Adam Costello (Bell Park), Scott Costello, Nic Flaccavento (Corio), Mink Govus (North Geelong), Jett Herman (South Warrnambool), Ren Lovitt (Great Western), Harry McIntyre (Portland)
OUT: Blake Podnar (Bannockburn)
Club says: “Our goal is to build on the foundation we set last year to try to win enough games. We want to finish top three and challenge for a premiership.” – coach Justin Tarr
Addy says: Bell Post Hill made some noise in the off-season, bringing back old players and landing GFL talent to supplement an already-strong list. The Panthers made it through to the second week of finals last year and will be hoping for a better end to the season.
Prediction: 5th
Corio
Last year: 11th
IN: Jordan Anderson (Newbridge), Beau Burney (Bell Post Hill), Logan Dixon (Newbridge), Jack Hall (Bell Park), Josh Jelenic (Bell Park), Matt Jelenic (Bell Park), Jacob Kleidon (Bell Park), Jakota Martin (Lara)
OUT: Nic Flaccavento (Bell Post Hill)
Club says: “As a club we are aiming to win a few more games than in recent years. We want to be a lot more competitive against the top teams around the league.” – co-coach Darren Bennett
Addy says: Corio has landed a number of GFL players to come in and play right away this season, with a few of them juniors returning to the club. Expect a more competitive side as the season goes on, but a finals push may be too soon.
Prediction: 11th
East Geelong
Last year: 3rd
IN: Jack Beardsall (Modewarre), Will Hough (St. Albans), Dean Heta (Caulfield), Jay Skate (Yarra Old Grammarians), Luca Mamone (Shepparton Swans), Nick Ryan (Birchip Watchem), Nathan Robertson (Westbourne Grammarians), Vincent Leung (North Footscray), Matthew Berry (Birchip Watchem), Baden Grey (Ultima) and Joel Trezise (Portarlington)
OUT: Josh Bolitho (Rupanyup), Brent McGrath (overseas), Jacob Ozolins (Bright), Ruben Vesikuru (retired)
Club says: “Our goal this season is to build on our impressive 2022. We believe we have a deep squad full of young talent, so our view is that we can go further than our finishing position last season.” - coach Tom Cordner-Maas
Addy says: A few good players will come into the side that finished on top of the ladder last season, with some younger guys stepping through and progressing with another year in the system. The question will be whether the Eagles have improved as much as other GDFL clubs around them.
Prediction: 4th
Geelong West
Last year: 5th
IN: Nick Byrne (St Bernard’s), Daniel Craven (Geelong West – GFL), Dean Ferguson (Epping), Scott Frangos (Geelong West – GFL), Mat Hebbard (Drysdale), Zac Rowarth (Birregurra), Charles Wild (Jeparit-Rainbow)
OUT: Justin White (retired)
Club says: “Our aim is to improve on our fifth place finish from last year. We want to bridge the gap between our best footy and worst footy from last year.” – co-coach Matt Ianelli
Addy says: Geelong West was the biggest mover in the off-season, landing a number of key recruits for 2023. The Giants’ forward line will be the most dangerous in the competition, with two players capable of kicking 100 goals in a season. Expect Geelong West to be a big riser in 2023.
Prediction: 2nd
Inverleigh
Last year: 2nd
IN: James Hussey (South Warrnambool), Clay Mulgrew (Colac), Scott Pethybridge (Golden Square), Brayden Warren (Queenscliff)
OUT: Alex Brown
Club says: “Last year I would’ve said that the grand final berth was the expectation, but I think we’re going away from the end result and treating it in the old cliche way of one week at a time. (Our preseason) probably suggests we’re going to be around the mark, but you also don’t know what everyone else is doing.” - coach Adam Donohue
Addy says: Inverleigh was not far off the mark in 2022, making the grand final and losing to Bannockburn. The Hawks’ list got better with some key signings, and will be expecting to battle it out for a top-3 spot.
Prediction: 3rd
North Geelong
Last year: 9th
IN: Blake Miller (Bannockburn), Tom Schwennesen (North Shore), Liam Phillips (Lara)
OUT: Mark Paramonov (Clunes)
Club says: “North Geelong has a very proud history with many successful eras. It’s our goal to once again see North Geelong playing finals football and winning premierships. We feel over the past five months we have laid the foundations to build upon. The future looks exciting for the club.” - coach Michael Boothey
Addy says: The Magpies have done well to land multiple former GFL players, and under new coach Michael Boothey the excitement around the club is clear. However the competition has got a lot stronger in the off-season and the club might be in a tough position with a lot of young talent.
Prediction: 10th
Thomson
Last year: 6th
IN: Jahd Anderson (returning), Nathan Bisset (Belmont Lions), Brent Jacques (Belmont Lions), Alex Jolley (Belmont Lions), Daniel Mowat (Mitiamo), Lleyton Thulborn (returning), Darcy Troop (Newtown & Chilwell)
OUT: Jayden Exell (Modewarre)
Club says: “Our expectations and goals are to improve on last year and hopefully play finals. We also want to continue our development of our young players.” – coach Paul Lynch
Addy says: The club narrowly missed out on finals last season, and Thomson has added plenty of talent across the field to try to crack into the top five. Darcy Troop will be a big signing for the Tigers after crossing from the GFL.
Prediction: 7th
Werribee Centrals
Last year: 10th
IN: Chris Benson (Glen Orden), Michael Culliver (Bacchus Marsh), Harley Kilby (Werribee Districts), Josh Macdonald (Glen Orden), Justin Porter (Old Westbourne), Jarryd Scotland (Sunshine), Lewis Wetherbee (Hadfield)
OUT: Brendan Wilson (Wyndham Suns), Marc Yates (Ballan)
Club says: “We will be a completely different side this year, with a few players in and a few players back from injury, as well as a new system. We believe the competition is very even and probably nine sides could make finals. We will be striving for one of those five spots.” – coach Rhyce Prismall
Addy says: With a number of recruits set to slot straight into the senior side, Werribee Centrals is optimistic on the season ahead. Another year under coach Rhyce Prismall will allow the players to find their feet and really try to climb the ladder.
Prediction: 8th
Winchelsea
Last year: 7th
IN: Aaron Cooke (Benalla Saints), Coby Eagle (Newcomb), Jaidyn Eagle (Werribee), Matthew Gillespie (Benalla Saints), Jordan Gould (Grovedale), Luke Henry (Geelong Amateur), Fin Parish (Grovedale), Jai Perry (North Warrnambool), Brenton Rees (Newcomb), Baden Remmos (returning), Tavae Sauni (Newtown & Chilwell), Jonty Scott (Horsham Demons), Adam Walsh (Benalla Saints), Riley Berg (Barwon Heads), Shaun Morris (Shepparton)
OUT: Nil
Club says: “Guys have again gone through a tough preseason to consolidate the same efforts from last season. A big focus for each of our games, aside from doing the basics very well, is to maintain a high intensity, high pressure game style for long periods. Our team and club expectations are very simple, We made some significant strides on our efforts and performances last season from the previous year, we’re expecting to improve again on those efforts this season.” – coach Christian Shaw
Addy says: Winchelsea has added plenty of talent, with a number of club juniors returning to the league. The middling side will want to push through and bridge the gap with the top teams in the competition, with a number of GDFL sides improving substantially over the off-season.
Prediction: 6th
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Originally published as GDFL season preview: Every team for 2023 season
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