Former Essendon rookie Jayden Davey has been named in the Anakie team for tomorrow’s GDFNL Round 1 meeting with Corio at Shell Reserve.
Davey, the son of former Bombers excitement machine Alwyn, spent two years at The Hangar without playing an AFL game before being delisted.
He will have the Roos as his interchange club while playing VFL with Port Melbourne.
Davey is one of several first-games for the Roos, who will also unveil former Bomber Jake Long and Eddie Betts Academy duo Shaquarn Cox and Leo Gilla.
Former Lara player Robert Cannon has been named along with the returning Brad Gerrard.
Co-captain Mason Rhodes says expectation is growing at Anakie Reserve after another positive off-season on the recruiting front.
“I think the club’s gone out and found areas that we lacked,” he said.
“Across the club, I think the expectations are that we continue to build.
“Since Jake’s been at the helm he came in with a game plan, and I think finishing with the win over Inverleigh got everything moving in the right direction.
“As a football club, I think there’s that expectation to go a bit better and obviously to really push (for finals).
“We haven’t played finals in 20-something years, so I think that’s the expectation for this year and moving forward.”
The Devils have have named high-profile recruits Jarrod Bayliss, Russell Cowan and prolific goalkicker Justin van Unen in what will be playing coach Joel Bennett’s first match in 11 months after overcoming a serious back injury.
Kynan Manning-Stratton will also play his first game for the club after arriving from VAFA Premier club Collegians.
East Geelong will unveil seven new faces when it hosts Bannockburn at Richmond Crescent.
Jude Payne, Patrick O’Brien-Henderson, Ethan McDonald, Lachie Williams, Patrick Visentin, Mitch Wright and former Newcomb spearhead Andrew Steele will all pull on an Eagles jumper at senior level for the first time.
Ryan Lempa returns following a season at St Arnaud, while Jacob Nolan will make his first appearance in maroon and gold since 2012.
However, coach Ned Aulsebrook couldn’t consider Modewarre recruit Jeremy Ollis (thumb), Sam Lowe (knee), Jack Dickson (unavailable) and Jacob Sobey (unavailable).
The Tigers have named North Shore recruit Aaron Seller, former Bell Park youngsters Harry Lear and Cooper Edwards, and Rhys Ginn, who has returned from Geelong West for the first time in nine years.
Reigning premier Thomson will have at least ten changes to the team that claimed last year’s premiership when it meets Geelong West at West Oval.
Previously announced recruits Patty Knott, Dylan Jose and Kane Higgins will be joined by Jake Butler, who most recently featured in two reserves matches for Geelong Amateur in 2023.
Veteran duo Andrew Jarvis and Paul Davis have returned to Godfrey Street, while Brandon Gardiner is a virtual recruit after managing just one senior match in 2024.
After 40 matches in the reserves, Jacob Hamilton has been handed a debut for the Tigers.
The Giants also have plenty of new faces, including former West GFNL captain Jacson Collins, Harvey Murrant (Grovedale), Brodie McCaskill (Lara)
Alex Buckwell, who played alongside Collins in the GFNL, returns to West Oval after two years at Apollo Bay.
Alex Blair is also back after spending the last three seasons in his native Tasmania, while Jacob Medwell, James Pullan, and Riley Seresi-Unsworth round out the newcomers.
2024 grand finalist Belmont Lions will have three newcomers in its team for a mouth-watering meeting with Werribee Centrals at Winter Reserve.
The Lions have strengthened their link with Barwon Heads, adding former Seagulls Lachie Slorach and Billy Pelham, as well as James Beasley from Colac and District club Western Eagles.
Ruck Jed Evans will be sidelined until after Easter with a finger issue, while co-coach Andy Walsgott, who is entering his third season alongside Brent Vermeulen, has confirmed his retirement due to concussion issues.
The Centurions, who were knocked out of the 2024 premiership race in the first semi-final, have named former Werribee Districts duo Gavin Donnon and Liam Robinson, Regan Vesty (Woorinen), and Brandon Houlihan (Swan Hill) among their new faces.
Donnon and Robinson both played juniors at Centrals.
Two-time Bellarine leading goalkicker Scott Hughes and the return of several premiership players will be crucial to Bell Post Hill starting the new season on the right note against North Geelong.
Dylan Witney, Caleb Bacely and Tim Barton spent last year at Great Western, while Liam Meyrich is back from Tarneit.
The Magpies have named Lara recruit Ben O’Brien, Jasper George (Bell Park), James Haber (Watsonia), and the returning Mark Paramonov (Clunes).
Inverleigh won’t have 2014 GFNL Mathieson medallist Guy O’Keefe for its clash with Winchelsea at Inverleigh Reserve.
A hamstring injury will see him sidelined until at least Anzac Day when the Hawks will reassess.
However, the Hawks have named former Geelong West captain Josh Viney, Jarod Bacon (Anglesea), Ethan Clohesy (Moyston-Willaura), former junior Jaiden Reid (St Joseph’s), and ex-Bell Post Hill pair Daniel Maher and Boe Collins.
Coach Chris Moore has handed a debut to under-18s graduate Cooper Sharrock and Colts eligible Zac Heenan.
The Blues new faces include Cam Primmer (North Shore), Tyler Beasley (Kolora-Noorat), Jack Sampi (Newtown & Chilwell), and Tayne Hewson (South Barwon).
Indi Parish has returned from Colac Imperials to play alongside brothers Cassidy and Fin.
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