Joeys and Lions set for exciting Easter Saturday clash in Lorne

ST Joseph’s and Leopold will open the 2026 GFL season with an Easter Saturday clash at Lorne’s Stribling Reserve.

Both sides will bring new-look lineups after multiple departures in a busy offseason, but several fresh faces will also make their club debuts.

After going down to St Mary’s in the grand final last season, the Joeys will again be a finals threat despite losing a handful of players from that side.

Established players such as Lewis Antonac, Jack Buckley and James Hickey have joined young guns such as Felix Henderson, Oscar Morrison and Tanner Owen in finding new clubs.

But with James Gow taking on a joint head coach role with Ron Watt, St Joseph’s can never be counted out.

The Lions also saw a mass exodus of players from their 2023 and 2024 premiership runs, with the likes of Connor Giddings, Sam Scott, Harris Jennings and Logan Wagener all moving on.

Fellow GFL club Lara has entered recess for this year, and bull Cats midfielder Darby Henderson has joined Leopold in one of the biggest signings of the offseason.

Despite missing out on finals last year, the Lions will again be in the hunt to continue their recent success this season.

With hundreds expected to flock to the picturesque, beach-backdropped Stribling Reserve, a hot contest between two top five fancies is ensured.