Geelong Amateur will welcome back a couple of familiar faces as it closes in on finalising its recruiting for 2025.
Co-coach Riley Kershaw has confirmed the return of experienced big man Hamish Shepheard and midfielder Lachie Reilly.
Former Fremantle rookie Shepheard spent 2018 with Ammos before stints in Melbourne either side of Covid.
The 34-year-old played alongside new Amateur co-coach Sam Lloyd at Murray League club Deniliquin this year.
“From all reports, he’s still in fine touch,” Kershaw said.
“To get Shep on board’s a great addition. He played with us a few years ago, and the boys are pretty keen to see him back there.
“He’ll play predominantly through the ruck and go forward at times as well.
“We’ll have to manage his body a little bit as well.”
From Tasmania, Reilly joined Geelong Amateur in 2019 and has played 27 senior games for the Pegs.
He had an impressive 2022 season, playing 17 games and kicking 16 goals before spending the last two years in the Mininera and District League with Wickcliffe/Lake Bolac.
Reilly won the Magpies’ best-and-fairest last year and finished third in the league award.
This year, as Wickliffe/Lake Bolac made the grand final, he finished runner-up in the league best-and-fairest.
“We’re stoked to have him; he’s been playing some really good footy up there,” Kershaw said.
“We’re keen to see him take that next step in his football journey – coming back and really contributing.
“He’s played predominantly wing, half-back, half-forward roles, but we’ve seen him onball at Bolac as well.z
Adding Shepheard and Reilly continues an impressive off-season for Geelong Amateur as it looks to improve on this year’s disappointing elimination final exit.
They join Lloyd, Lara duo Mitch Day and Dan Weigl, and St Mary’s premiership star Joe Maishman in calling KFC Oval home in 2025.
However, they will be without Bellarine Team of the Year forward Paddy Dowling following his return to the GFNL.
Big man Nick Nott has retired, while Oscar Brownless is unlikely to add to the four games he played in 2024.
X: @krockfootball
