Winchelsea Blues set to open season against Belmont with 11 debutants

After a busy off-season, Winchelsea is set to open the 2023 campaign with 11 debutants against Belmont. Read about how the new kids on the block are driving the standards at the club.

GDFL season launch Football and Netball Football captains . From Left Back Row : Brent Vermeulen Belmont , vice captain Tim McLennan East Geelong , Jack Yates Bell Post Hill , Jack Fiolet Inverleigh ,Zac Schwennesen Nth Geelong , Josh Viney and Justin Carey Geelong West Giants , Daryl Chesterman Werribee centrals. From Left Front Row :Travis McGuire Thomson , Joel Bennett Corio , Tristan Battaglia Bannockburn , Mason Rhodes Anakie , Tom Stephenson and Brenton Rees Winchelsea , Picture: Mark Wilson

NEW Winchelsea co-captain Brenton Rees was impressed with the potential within the Blues’ squad ahead of signing with the GDFL team.

Rees will lead out his new side for the first time on Saturday alongside Tom Stephenson, just months after arriving at the club from Newcomb.

He said he was excited at the prospect of pulling on the jumper for the first time, as well as being proud of his election to lead the club.

“It’s super exciting to be down at the club at the moment, I’ve been really impressed with the standards and the commitment levels from everyone, it’s a really exciting time and there’s a great feeling around the club at the moment,” he said.

GDFL season launch Football and Netball Football co captains. Winchelsea. Brenton Rees and Tom Stephenson Picture: Mark Wilson

“I think when it’s your first year at a club you have a point to prove, you want to try to earn respect from those around you.

“There’s been a lot of competition with plenty of guys fighting for spots, so I think the boys have been doing the extras a lot at training, which is great to see.

“‘Butch’ (coach Christian Shaw) is really good as well, he’s built a really great culture and we’re enjoying playing footy, so to be able to lead the club this year is something I’m really proud of.”

Rees will not be the only club debutant in round 1, with Fin Parish, Jordan Gould, Riley Berg, Tavae Sauni, Coby Eagle, Jaidyn Eagle, Luke Henry, Jonty Scott, and Adam Walsh all pulling on the navy Blue for the first time.

GDFL: Corio v Winchelsea. No 39 Finlay Krisopp-Cole for Winchelsea.

Co-captain Tom Stephenson said the group was feeling excited about their prospects in 2023 after a solid campaign last year.

“We’re not setting any expectations on ourselves, we want to just play each game as it comes,” he said.

“But we really want to take another step this year after building a good base last year, we’ve recruited well and landed some really good players to come in and contribute to really push and get better this season.

“You always try to get your one-pointers back, get the local guys who have gone off and had good stints at other clubs.

“I feel like the year we had last year has set us up, we were able to see what we needed to go forward so that’s what we’ve gone out and targeted.”

Winchelsea will host Belmont in the opening game of the season in a twilight affair.

Originally published as Winchelsea Blues set to open season against Belmont with 11 debutants