A host of new players could see Ocean Grove’s quest for a Bellarine Football League premiership come sooner rather than later with a host of new players added to the senior list.
The baby Grubbers stunned the league with a remarkable turnaround from ninth to a first-semi final this year before the pandemic cut the season short.
The Grubbers have retained most of their 2021 list with only Jake Ward (retirement) and Sam Donegan (St Albans) not donning the red and white next year.
A quartet of Wangaratta Rovers players have joined Ocean Grove while Josh Horton has crossed from Leopold and Darcy McDowell has committed from Bell Park.
Jonty Patrick, who was on SANFL club Norwood’s list this season, but was hampered by a shoulder injury, will also join the ranks. Patrick is playing with Palmerston in Darwin this summer with star Grubber ruckman Kobe Annand and is keen to have a year of footy on the Bellarine.
It will be youngster Annand’s second season up north and he will return to Ocean Grove next winter after being named ruckman in the BFL team of the year.
Football director Cam McGregor said player and coaching retention was the sole focus before any recruiting was even thought about at Shell Road.
“We had all but three committed before the end of the finals,” McGregor said.
“We didn’t talk to anyone until we had the majority of our list committed. The big thing was retaining coaches and players.”
Ward and Donegan are big losses. Ward has retired and livewire small forward has joined St Albans to play at a higher standard.
“We’ve adopted the line of if you think you’re ready we’ll help you find a good club,” McGregor said of Donegan.
“If he gets to fast track his development then that’s a good thing for him.
“He’s (Ward) been a good player for us. Probably been our best high profile player the last three or four years but we have other kids who can step up into that role.
“We’d much prefer to have him than not have him, but we respect his decision to step away.”
Assistant coach Matt Robbins is moving sideways to run the club’s junior academy while best and fairest Glenn Campbell will have a more hands-on role as a playing assistant coach next year.
McGregor said Horton would play a high half-forward role while McDowell would play an inside midfield role.
Tyson Ruck is another new player that could fill an inside midfield spot. Ruck played with South Barwon reserves this season, but has played senior GFL football.
