Raiders out to defend interleague crown

THE Geelong and District Football League’s best young players will come together as the Raiders this weekend to take on the Colac and District Football Netball League in an interleague clash showcasing some of the region’s top football talent.

After the 25-and-under interleague format successfully returned last year for the first time since 2019, the Raiders will again suit up on Saturday, looking to make it back-to-back wins at Winchelsea’s Eastern Reserve.

All 12 GDFL clubs are represented in this year’s squad, including North Geelong gun Osca Riccardi and crafty Corio forward Herschelle Carr.

Thomson coach Paul Lynch will lead the side for a second straight year.

Lynch said development and representing the league strongly on the field had been the key focuses in the lead-up to the clash.

“The number one thing is we want to send them back to their clubs as better players,” he said.

“Number two is we want to win a game of footy. We’re representing the GDFL, so that’s important too. We’re not just there to have an exhibition game, we’re actually there to win a game footy.

“The other thing we spoke about is just having that connection with players from other clubs. You don’t get that opportunity in local footy, so we thought it’s a great opportunity to meet some of these players from other clubs to find out that they’re good guys.”

Lynch noted the match is the only interleague fixture in the Geelong region, reiterating its importance.

“It’s a pretty big stage from them,” he said. “They’re pretty excited by the idea of that.

“I’m always big for promoting kids to play higher level, so I’d like to see all these kids go and play GFL footy at some stage, which I think they’re all capable of in time.”

After beating the CDFL side by nine points last year, Lynch believes this year’s opposition is stronger, with the likes of former Geelong VFL midfielder Paddy Hughes (Lorne) set to feature.

“They’ve got some quality players in their squad that have rolled back from either high level footy or have decided to play again this year,” Lynch said. “We expect a real challenge.

“We’re going to have to be better than last year to beat them.”