BELLARINE Football League clubs are moving into the final phase of preparation for the 2019 season with the first practice matches commencing in the next fortnight.<\/p>\n
Drysdale, which is expected to be the big mover after making some handy additions, will be the first club in action on March 2 when it meets reigning GDFL premier Thomson.<\/p>\n
The Hawks announced the arrival of Leopold premiership player Jesse Lothian in late January, having confirmed the addition of Bell Park trio Jarrod Garth, Chris Lynch and Jarrod Love, former Essendon speedster Lauchie Dalgleish and the
\nreturn of Mitch McGuire and Ben Carmichael before Christmas.<\/p>\n
They are one of a number of BFL clubs who will test themselves against GFL opponents during March.<\/p>\n
Drysdale will play Grovedale, Anglesea is taking on St Albans, and Barwon Heads will battle both South Barwon and Colac.<\/p>\n
Geelong Amateur and Torquay both have a meeting with Bell Park, and reigning premier Modewarre and Ocean Grove will have hit-outs against Geelong West.<\/p>\n
The Warriors will take on a slightly different look to the team that upset the Seagulls in last year\u2019s decider.<\/p>\n
Four members of the premiership twenty-two have departed Community Bank Oval, including Daniel Sturzaker, who has returned to Portland for family reasons, Jeremy Ollis (Bell Park) and Brodie Adcock (Sea Lake-Nandaly).<\/p>\n
Veteran forward Luke Forbes is also not a certain starter.<\/p>\n
However, Modewarre holds high hopes for recruits George Swarbrick (Newtown & Chilwell) and Hasker Dawborn from Ballarat league club East Point, who represented the GWV Rebels at TAC Cup level and captained local school St Patrick\u2019s College.<\/p>\n
Barwon Heads looms as the team to beat. The Seagulls recently added Chris Varsamakis, who has an extensive playing history in Melbourne, from Quambatook and former Geelong Falcon Mick Salmon, who has most recently been at Simpson in the Colac and District league.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ve also confirmed the availability of Wayne Barrett after an injury-interrupted 2018.<\/p>\n
It comes after signing former AFL listed player Tim McIntyre and Brad Harvey only weeks after their grand final loss.<\/p>\n
Preliminary finalist Anglesea has been boosted by the arrival of former Bell Park big man Zane Vail, James Donaldson from Northcote Park and Lorne\u2019s\u00a0Tom Steven.<\/p>\n
However, whether it\u2019s enough to cover the retirement Dale Carson and departures of Matt O\u2019Dwyer (Barham-Koondrook) and James Edmonds (Yarraville-Seddon) is yet to be seen.<\/p>\n
New Ocean Grove coach Jordan Jones has gone about building the Grubbers\u2019 list with little fanfare.<\/p>\n
Kurt Cole (Burleigh), Cory Connor (Sunshine), Lachie Meadows (Olinda Ferny Creek) and Steve Presani (Colac) are among the fresh faces confirmed at Ray Menzies Oval.<\/p>\n
CONFIRMED PRACTICE MATCHES ANGLESEA
\nMarch 16: vs. St Albans @ Alcoa Oval
\nMarch 23: vs. Werribee Districts @ Alcoa Oval
\nMarch 30: vs. Rupertswood @ Alcoa Oval<\/p>\n
BARWON HEADS
\nMarch 7: vs. South Barwon @ Oakdene Estate
\nMarch 23: vs. Colac @ Central Reserve
\nMarch 30: vs. Cobden @ Howard Harmer Oval<\/p>\n
DRYSDALE
\nMarch 2: vs. Thomson @ Drysdale Sports Precinct
\nMarch 16: vs. Grovedale @ Windsor Park
\nMarch 23: vs. Cobden @ Cobden<\/p>\n
GEELONG AMATEUR
\nMarch 16: vs. Bell Park @ TBC
\nMarch 23: vs. Old Geelong @ KFC Oval<\/p>\n
MODEWARRE
\nMarch 9: vs. Park Orchards @ Windsor Park<\/p>\n
March 15: vs. Geelong West (GFL) @ Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct
\nMarch 23: vs. Camperdown @ Camperdown<\/p>\n
NEWCOMB
\nMarch 17: Melton Centrals @ Oakdene Estate
\nMarch 23: vs. Fitzroy Stars @ Brunswick Street Oval<\/p>\n
OCEAN GROVE
\nMarch 9: vs Geelong West (GFL) @ Oakdene Estate
\nMarch 23: vs. Camperdown @ Oakdene Estate<\/p>\n
PORTARLINGTON
\nMarch 16: vs. Point Cook @ Point Cook
\nMarch 23: vs. West Coburg @ Ron Evans Oval<\/p>\n
QUEENSCLIFF
\nMarch 16: vs. Ballan @ TBC
\nMarch 23: vs. Mulgrave @ TBC
\nMarch 30: vs. Sorrento @ Queenscliff Recreation Reserve<\/p>\n
TORQUAY
\nMarch 6: vs. Bell Park @ Polwarth Oval
\nMarch 16: vs. Wallan @ Grenville Oval<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BELLARINE Football League clubs are moving into the final phase of preparation for the 2019 season with the first practice matches commencing in the next fortnight. Drysdale, which is expected to be the big mover after making some handy additions, will be the first club in action on March 2 when it meets reigning GDFL […]<\/p>\n