Barwon Heads might have lost one homegrown product when Oli Wiltshire was given the chance to live out his AFL dream via last week’s National Draft.
However, the Seagulls will welcome Sam Witherden back to Howard Harmer Oval for the 2024 season after two years with North Shore.
Witherden played five senior games during his top-age Geelong Falcons year in 2021 before making 30 appearances for the GFNL Seagulls.
He finished runner-up in this year’s best-and-fairest.
“We couldn’t be happier for Oli, and it’s very hard to replace that sort of player,” co-coach Sam Schaller said.
“But, getting someone like Sammy Witherden back, in that right age bracket, goes a long way to filling that void, for sure.”
Schaller says Witherden, who is expected to remain a development player with VFL club Werribee, will provide Barwon Heads plenty of versatility.
“It’s a luxury, with his size and agility,” Schaller said.
“He’ll play a lot of mid, a bit of time at centre half-back, and we’ve talked about developing some forward craft for him as well.
“It’s the position he hasn’t played a lot of, so we’re pretty excited to get him across all three lines.”
A family connection has helped Barwon Heads land Matt Ogle from VAFA club Latrobe Uni.
Ogle is engaged to the sister of current Seagull Kyle Maher.
“He’s an athletic ruckman/key position type,” Schaller said.
“He’s a super friendly dude, and he’s moved into town and is keen to play with his future brother-in-law.
“We’re happy to have him. We’ve been devoid of height, but now we’re starting to get a bit of stock in that department, which is actually really nice.”
Schaller says adding Witherden and Ogle wraps us Barwon Heads’ recruiting.
“We were happy to get Sammy over the line – we were pretty hopeful on that one,” he said.
“Unless something drops on our doorstep, that’ll be pretty much for us.”
