Former GFNL Team of the Year member Lucas Boyd is shaping up as a handy addition to perennial Geelong and District League contender Thomson.
Boyd, who kicked 239 goals from 126 appearances at Geelong West-St Peter’s and Leopold, has signed with the Tigers after spending the last two seasons with Kolora-Noorat.
At the Warrnambool and District League club, he kicked 72 goals in 21 games, helping the Power to consecutive preliminary finals alongside former Lions teammates Nick Bourke and Jeremy Larcombe.
“I knew he was coming back from Warrnambool with Bourkey taking the (assistant coach) role at Ocean Grove,” Thomson coach Paul Lynch said.
“So, I gave him a call, and it evolved from there.”
Thomson may have lost Brent Jacques to a career-ending suspension. Still, the beaten grand finalists own one of the GDFNL’s most dynamic forward lines, with Darcy Troop, Daniel Freeman and veteran Jackson Macleod all potential matchwinners.
“It allows us to play Troopy a little bit higher and around the footy a little bit more,” Lynch said.
“He’s got a big running tank, Troopy, and I didn’t use it as much as I would have liked last year.
“With Boydy coming in, it just allows that bit more flexibility for Troopy to pinch-hit in the ruck or possibly on-ball.
“Boydy will play closer to goal, which allows our other forwards to play up higher a bit.”
Lynch confirmed Macleod will extend his glittering career into 2024 despite having his season cut short following surgery on a lisfranc injury.
“He’s back at work and started to do a little bit of running and stuff.
“He gave me every indication he’s going to play on.”
Other than Jacques, Mick Barnett is the only other confirmed departure.
He’s returning home to Deniliquin to take over the family business.
Question marks also surround the playing future of Jahd Anderson after he was concussed in the opening stages of the grand final.
“Jahd will decide in good time,” Lynch said. “I haven’t even had a conversation about footy with Jahd.
“I’ve had plenty of coffees with him. But, it hasn’t been one thing about footy.
“It’s just all about his health and getting him back to work, which is hopefully going to happen soon.
“Footy is the least of his worries at the minute.”
Meanwhile, Winchelsea has welcomed a trio of recruits following last week’s addition of former GFNL Rookie of the Year Jack Symmons from Grovedale.
The Blues have added Angus Leigh from Thomson and former Geelong Amateur player Matt Synoradzki, who has been playing at Jeparit-Rainbow.
Bailey Kahle has returned from Colac Imperials, where Winchelsea young gun Indi Parish will play in 2024.
