Geelong West has boosted its big-man stocks with the signing of former GWV Rebel Mac Scoullar.
The Giants have secured the signature of the 200cm Scoullar, who is moving to Geelong to study.
“We had a connection through Gareth Drennan and a few other people from Deniliquin way who knew him and knew his family,” coach Greg Mellor said.
“We’re rap to help support him with his transition to Geelong.”
Originally from Koondrook-Barham on the Murray River, Scoullar moved to Ballarat to attend Ballarat Clarendon College.
He made 13 appearances and kicked five goals for the Rebels this year while also making a senior appearance for Ballarat in the Ballarat League.
“He’ll play as a forward or a key-type … he can ruck as well with his height,” Mellor said-
“But, we’re looking at him as a key position player.”
The addition of Scoullar follows the return of Lachie Taylor from two years in the WAFL.
Taylor, who finished 5th in Geelong West’s best-and-fairest as a 20-year-old in 2021, managed six senior appearances for South Fremantle and played 23 reserve-grade games.
Mellor says Taylor will provide the Giants with plenty of run on a wing.
“He knows how to play that wing role really well,” Mellor said.
“He would have learnt a lot his last two years playing in the WAFL, and we’re excited to have him back.
“His speed. His tackle pressure – he understands that wing role really well. For me, he’s a natural winger.
“To develop him further, playing across half-back is an option, too.”
Mellor also revealed the signing of Frazer Robb from Hampden League club Koroit.
Mid/forward Robb joins the Giants after 75 games with the Saints, where he was a member of their 2022 premiership team, having spent this year training at West Oval.
Joel Fleeton has also returned after missing all of the 2023 season.
“He had a lot injury problems, Joel – concussions and structural injuries,” Mellor said.
“He always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“We expect him to play down in our backline and be a really good footballer for us.”
Like 2022, West is likely to have several players on VFL lists.
Emmanuel Ajang and Noah Gribble will remain at Werribee; Jamieson Ballantyne has moved from Footscray to Geelong to join Tanner Lovell, Tanner Lewis and Kye Annand.
Phil Moi Moi, who was in Sandringham’s squad in 2023, is looking at a pre-season with Sydney’s VFL team.
Moi Moi is the partner of Swans AFLW best-and-fairest Laura Gardiner.
“Sydney is very keen for us to be his second club,” Mellor said.
“We’ll work through what that looks like.”
Inverleigh premiership player Fin O’Keefe is training with the Giants but has yet to make a call on whether he will make the move to the GFNL.
“It would be a nice swap – (David) Peel for O’Keefe,” Mellor said with a smile.
Peel and Tannar Stone (Giants GDFNL) are the only confirmed departures.
