Anakie forward Andrew Boseley leads GDFNL goalkicking ahead of East Geelong’s Zac Smith ahead of clubs’ round 10 clash

It took just half a season for Anakie spearhead Andrew Boseley to better last year’s return in front of goal. He opens up on his improved form, and his Roos’ rise up the ladder.

Anakie’s Andrew Boseley is leading the GDFNL’s goalkicking midway through the season. Picture: Mark Wilson

Andrew Boseley admits he came into his first season in the Geelong and District league underdone.

With a trip to Europe and some niggles leading up to round 1, the former Hawthorn-listed forward still enjoyed a solid season for Anakie by any stretch – averaging two goals a game.

But a move from Melbourne back to Geelong – where he’s now setting up his own business as a mortgage broker – has seen Boseley reap the rewards of a full pre-season with the Roos.

Andrew Boseley has already surpassed last year’s form in front of goal. Picture: Mark Wilson

The ex-South Barwon gun surpassed his 36 goals last season in just eight rounds this year, with the 32-year-old’s three goals against Bell Post Hill on Saturday taking him to 39 atop the league's goalkicking leaderboard at the official midway mark of the season.

“I think (coach) Jayke (Mawson) was the happiest man when he realised I was moving back to Geelong cause it meant I could commit to a full pre-season,” Boseley said.

“I feel like I’m old enough to know what works well for me and what doesn’t, just continuity, being on the park for a long period of time and I think that’s also helped with our team, having more players out there, obviously you learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Physically feel great, having played all of last year in the new league, I’ve learnt what works well, what doesn’t work well and changed and modified my game a little bit.”

With Boseley firing as a strong leading target for the Roos, the big man is also benefiting from playing in a team with strengthened connections and more midfield depth in its second year of a rebuild – the Roos already equalling last year’s total wins of five after nine rounds, and inside the top 5 for the first time in more than two decades.

Andrew Boseley and Oscar Barter celebrate a goal last season. Picture: Mark Wilson

Inclusions such as Brad Gerrard and Josh Mawson in the midfield, and the Roos are as well placed as they’ve ever been to deliver the ball on a silver platter to Boseley, while Oscar Barter’s move into the ruck has also changed up their forward positioning at times.

“Having the guys kicking it down my throat, and learning what works well for me and vice versa, definitely helps with getting more shots in more places where you can convert,” he said.

“I probably missed my fair share last year compared to this year, although you can ask my teammates and they probably think I still miss a few.

“I don’t know the stats, but I’d imagine we’ve had a lot more inside 50s compared to last year as well.”

“The more opportunity you have to catch onto it, the more likely you have to get the result.”

A mouth-watering match-up against top 3 East Geelong – which will see Boseley at one end of the ground and in-form Eagles forward Zac Smith down the other – awaits Anakie on Saturday.

Just one goal separates Boseley and Smith on the goalkicking leaderboard, and while Boseley’s focus is firmly on getting the win, the spectacle of such a match-up isn’t lost on him.

“For me it’s round 10, I’m just really concentrating on what we can do as a team,” Boseley said.

“I’m sure everyone externally will be looking forward to it, rare you’ve probably got two people at the top playing against each other with a couple goals between us, so it’ll be exciting.

“He’s (Smith’s) a handy footballer, (and) we’ll have our hands full against those mob given how strong they’ve been.

“It’s a good opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams.”

Originally published as Anakie forward Andrew Boseley leads GDFNL goalkicking ahead of East Geelong’s Zac Smith ahead of clubs’ round 10 clash