Billie Smedts, Logan Mitchell and assistant coach Nick Lynch will all make their first appearances for Thomson in tomorrow’s season-opener against Winchelsea.
However, key forward Lucas Boyd, who has arrived from Kolora-Noorat, will have to wait at least another week as he battles a calf issue.
“He’s been doing a little bit of training, but we definitely won’t push him,” coach Paul Lynch told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“He’s got that old man’s calf injury, which happens to all of us after 30.
“We’ll just let him make sure he gets that right because we don’t want him carrying that all year.”
The Blues, who have Brendan Forssman back in charge following Christian Shaw’s sudden resignation last week, will unveil recruits Matt Synoradzki and former GFNL Rookie of the Year Jack Symmons..
A big crowd is expected as a new era begins at Anakie when it hosts Bannockburn.
The Roos have named most of their big-name recruits, including former Western Bulldogs and Geelong star Luke Dahlhaus, as well as ex-AFL listed pair Andrew Boseley and Jay Lever.
Fresh from his VFL debut for Geelong last week, Ajang Kuol Mun will also line up for the Roos.
Former Leopold trio Rob Maibaum, Fletcher Wilson and Bailey Kelly will make their debuts for the Tigers.
Jai Robinson, who K rock Football reported as wanting a clearance to GFNL club Geelong West, has also been named in Ron Pilgrim’s team.
In other selection news, Whitley medallist Matt James will make his first appearance for Corio after crossing from Bell Post Hill as the Devils take on Werribee Centrals at Shell Reserve.
The Centurions have named recruits Keegan Gilbert, Connor McKenzie, Kur Kur and Zach O’Halloran, but coach Rhyce Prismall will miss up to a fortnight with a broken finger.
Former North Shore skipper Paddy Cleary and ex-Leopold midfielder Rory Desnoy will boost North Geelong as it takes on Geelong West in a twilight clash at West Oval.
Reigning premier Inverleigh welcomes back Michael Best and Toby Manganelli, with Logan Haberfield to debut in its clash with Belmont Lions at Winter Reserve.
The Lions have named former Torquay star David Allitt, St Albans recruit Josh Wilson, Brad Michell from Barwon Heads, Lewis Macdonald, who last played in 2021 with Bannockburn, and Nick Sherriff (Golden Square).
X: @krockfootbal
