Jack Pickering will complete one of local football’s more remarkable comeback stories when Geelong Amateur hosts Anglesea at Queens Park tomorrow.
The 30-year-old hasn’t played since being part of Ammos’ 2015 premiership team due to a degenerative knee issue.
However, it’s understood that Pickering was given the green light to resume training late last year and has impressed co-coaches Riley Kershaw and Sam Lloyd enough to come straight back via the seniors.
He’s one of two inclusions for the Pegs, with Luke Hillier also named.
They replace Jack Lang (knee) and youngster Charlie Richmond
Dale Kerr will make his first appearance for Anglesea since the 2021 elimination final.
He’s among three changes for the Roos, with Ben Jaska and Kuiper Hede also named.
They replace Myles Brinkworth, Jordan Harrison and Josh King.
Queenscliff lost Jasper Blair for the remainder of the season after he suffered a ruptured ACL during training on Tuesday night.
The Coutas have made three changes for their meeting with Barwon Heads at the Couta Bowl.
Harry Gower is unavailable, while Jordan Monahan has been called up to the Geelong Falcons.
They’ve been replaced by Nat Stephens, Will Baker, and Zac Henderson.
With the VFL having a weekend off, Werrribee premiership forward Flynn Young will play his first senior game with the Seagulls since 2021.
Ocean Grove will chase consecutive wins to start the season for the first time since 2018 when it hosts Portarlington at Ray Menzies Oval.
The Grubbers have access to Geelong VFL big man Kye Annand but have lost Rory Phillips to injury.
Connor Menadue is a welcome addition for the Demons, along with former skipper Will Foott, Daniel Riosa and Zac Kos.
They replace injured trio Dylan O’Brien, James Goetz, and Tom Panuccio and the omitted Kalan Dart.
Former Northern Territory underage representative Oli Poulson will make his first appearance when Newcomb hosts Torquay at Grinter Reserve.
Poulson replaces Oli Marshall.
Tigers captain Ben McNamara hasn’t been named, while the Tigers will be without Clay Page for the rest of the season after suffering a horrific lower leg injury in last week’s loss to Geelong Amateur.
Tom Hooper, Harrison Goode and Roy Dixon are the inclusions, with Jesse Dawson and Oscar Lewis joining Page in going out of the team.
Newtown & Chilwell recruit Magnus Howells has been named on an extended bench for Modewarre, which faces fellow Round 1 loser Drysdale at Drysdale Recreation Reserve.
The Warriors have also included Kayden Pogue.
The Hawks have named Ben Henderson and Chris Tainton as the replacements for James Robbins and Bailey Hume.
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