Grand final teams: Leopold’s Daniel Pitcher set to miss second grand final of his career
A Leopold player is set for more grand final heartbreak, whle another Lion has also been named as an emergency. See the updated teams for the GFNL grand final here.
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Leopold premiership player Daniel Pitcher is set to cruelly miss the second grand final of his local career in a selection surprise after being named as an emergency for Friday’s decider against South Barwon.
The defender started the 2024 season in the reserves but has played every senior game since round three, averaging 10 touches per game.
Pitcher also missed Leopold’s 2016 premiership after being dropped for the preliminary final that year, where he was also named as an emergency.
Leopold initially named a 24 player squad on Wednesday night with 2023 premiership trio Tevan Nofi, Ollie Tate and Andrew Pepper and forward Max Annandale all included, but Annandale and Pitcher have since dropped out to join Geelong VFL key defender Bailey Van De Heuvel as emergencies.
A club official said Annandale, who suffered a calf blow, and Van De Heuvel, who was on the road back from a his own injury that has sidelined him since round 17, were given every chance to prove themselves but weren’t quite at full fitness.
Nick Ash, who has been in the senior side since round 14, has also come out of the Lions 22 that knocked off St Joseph’s along with Riley Hayden.
Hayden played his first senior game since round six in their win over St Joseph’s which booked the Lions a grand final berth.
Earlier this week Leopold captain Marcus Thompson lauded 2023 grand final success stories Pitcher and Jye Cross, who missed the 2016 flag after tearing his ACL, for sticking with club and reaping the rewards last year.
“Something I always show a huge amount of respect for, is guys like Daniel Pitcher and Jye Cross. They were the hard luck stories in 2016, ‘Pitchy’ was dropped for a prelim final and couldn’t get his way back in and ‘Crossy’ did his ACL,” Thompson said.
“Those guys could’ve easily left and gone find opportunities but they were loyal to the club, worked their butts off and got themselves a premiership last year.”
South Barwon was awaiting medical clearance for playmaker Chris Hughes earlier today after he suffered a broken jaw, and he remains out of the line-up .
Hughes underwent surgery this week with the wingman replaced by Geelong Falcons graduate Tom Bartlett, who has played six senior games this season since crossing over from Modewarre.
Two club officials confirmed earlier today that a final call will be made later on Thursday and at that stage Hughes was considered unlikely to play.
It comes as South Barwon vice-captain Taylor Mulraney has already been ruled out with a shoulder injury he sustained in their first final.
Swans captain Matt Caldow said he will still play an important role for their side.
“He is such an amazing person and obviously a great player as well. Shattered for Grub that things didn’t work out for him this year but he was in the coaches box Saturday and I am sure he will have an impact again,” Caldow said.
“He is an experienced head and I think he has won five down at Koroit, so he knows what grand final day is about. We’ll still lean on Grub’s experience and character to help us through.”
Originally published as Grand final teams: Leopold’s Daniel Pitcher set to miss second grand final of his career
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