The Grubbers head into 2019 with a new senior playing coach Jordan Jones at the helm after former Geelong AFL player Paul Lynch coached Ocean Grove in 2017 and 2018.
Jones, 28, returns to his local grassroots footy home at Ocean Grove after stints with AFL club West Coast, WAFL club West Perth and VFL clubs Werribee and Williamstown more recently.
Jones is complimented by non-playing assistant coaches David King, who returns after a successful stint at St Joseph’s and also where he played with the Grubbers in 2016, and also Stuart Jones, Jordan Jones’ father.
Key Grubber defender Justin Carey, also a playing assistant coach, and midfielder James Linton will be the club’s senior co-captains for 2019.
The off-season saw several changes to the club’s playing and coaching personnel after the Grubbers missed BFL finals in 2018.
Gone are Andrew Jarvis, a key ruck, Matt Caldow and Jahd Anderson who have all joined GFL club South Barwon.
Grubber forwards Jake Carmody and Travis Gavin have both retired.
Ocean Grove has quietly gone about its business in the off-season with Jones building the club’s list and adding new key positional recruits.
New ruck Steve Presani heads across from GFL club Colac, while running midfielder Joey Perkovic adds some class from Shepparton and Kurt Cole (Burleigh) and Lachie Meadows (Olinda Ferny Creek) are the other most notable recruits.
The transition of Grubber Under 19 players who have moved into to the senior ranks will be important.
Youngsters Joe McDonald, Logan Taylor, a Geelong Falcons representative, and Ollie Monteith have all come through the Under 19 system at the Grubbers and have had a taste of senior football at Ocean Grove.
Midfield is a key strength for Grubbers’ 2019 hopes, Luke Cartelli, last season’s club senior best and fairest winner and James Linton are expected to shoulder the main on-baller duties alongside playing coach Jordan Jones at times.
Expect Harry Walker to be an important player in defence alongside Justin Carey, while Sam Spencer, a reserves ruckman for the Grubbers in 2018, is expected to assist Presani in the ruck where needed.
ARRIVALS
Jordan Jones (senior playing coach)
David King (senior assistant coach)
Stuart Jones (senior assistant coach)
Steve Presani (Colac)
Joey Perkovic (Shepparton)
Jake Ward (Kyneton)
Kurt Cole (Burleigh)
Lachie Meadows (Olinda Ferny Creek)
Cory Connor (Sunshine)
Jake Wilkie (Ballan)
Jamison Owen (St Joseph’s)
Keegan Cuolahan (St Joseph’s)
Aaron Baxter (returns to Ocean Grove)
Adam Donald (Irrewarra-Beeac) (returns to Ocean Grove)
DEPARTURES
Paul Lynch (former Grubber senior coach)
Matt Aston (senior assistant coach)
Andrew Jarvis (South Barwon)
Matt Caldow (South Barwon)
Jahd Anderson (South Barwon)
Nick Lynch (South Colac – Colac and District Football League)
Karl Staudt (Macedon – Riddell District Football League)
Jake Carmody (retired)
Travis Gavin (retired)
“I am rapt to be back. It is exciting. I am here to get everyone developing and that is going to create a competition for spots for us. Most blokes will (have got) two out of three practice matches (before the season starts). We are going to do that every week pick our best available side.”
– Ocean Grove Football Club senior playing coach Jordan Jones
Playing finals has to be aim for the Grubbers in 2019 after missing out on a top five spot last season. The early BFL premiership favouritism rests with last year’s premiers Modewarre and runners-up Barwon Heads and also Drysdale, whcih has recruited heavily over the off-season. Ocean Grove plays four of its first six games at home at Ray Menzies Memorial Oval at Shell Road.
The Grubbers commence the season with their only home night match against Newcomb in Round 1 on Saturday 6 April.
Ocean Grove will play its bumper Easter long weekend home game against Queenscliff on 20 April.
A home showdown for the Battle of the Bridge against Barwon Heads at Shell Road takes place in Round 10.
The Grubbers end their season with away fixtures against Barwon Heads in Round 17 and Queenscliff in Round 18.
2019 GRUBBERS BFL DRAW
Round 1: Newcomb (home) (night match)
Round 2: Drysdale (away)
Round 3: Queenscliff (home)
Round 4: Modewarre (away)
Round 5: Anglesea (home)
Round 6: Geelong Amateur (home)
Round 7: Portarlington (away)
Round 8: Torquay (home)
Round 9: Newcomb (away) (Sunday game)
Round 10: Barwon Heads (home)
Round 11: Drysdale (home)
Round 12: Anglesea (away)
Round 13: Geelong Amateur (away)
Round 14: Modewarre (home)
Round 15: Torquay (away)
Round 16: Portarlington (home)
Round 17: Barwon Heads (away)
Round 18: Queenscliff (away)
