GEELONG VFL teammates Matt Sully and Jackson Hollmer could go head-to-head in the Hampden league tomorrow.
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The Cats’ bye has paved the way for the key position duo to line up for their respective feeder clubs South Warrnambool and Port Fairy in a must-win battle for both teams at Gardens Oval.
Sully’s return marks his first game for the Roosters since their 2011 premiership, while Hollmer will make his Seagulls’ debut after signing with the club in the off season.
They are expected to line up against each other at some stage as the two clubs look to improve their 1-3 win-loss records.
Hollmer will replace injured full-forward Gary Robinson, with Sully his likely opponent if he doesn’t play a role in the midfield.
Sully, considered an AFL draft chance last November after a solid second VFL season, said he was excited about the prospect of playing on Hollmer.
“It should be interesting,” he said.
“In match training simulation I have lined up on him anyway so we have played a lot of footy against each other.
“There will be a bit of banter. I am pretty good mates with him.
“If he gets on top early he’ll be hard to stop.”
Sully said Hollmer was an established VFL player who would add another dynamic to Port Fairy’s line-up.
“He is vice-captain and a very good footballer,” he said.
“He never stops trying and is a very good athlete too.”
Sully could be moved into attack if the Roosters need another tall option and might be played on the ball as well to give the Roosters strength around the stoppages.
He has cemented his spot in Geelong’s second-tier team as a defender but can push forward.
“I played forward against North Ballarat last week,” he said.
“It was all right. I kicked three goals. It was something different.
“They (the Cats) seem to have a lot of forwards and I only got told the day before (I would play in attack) because Josh Walker was elevated to the senior game.”
Sully, who trained with the Roosters twice this week, said there was a buzz around South Warrnambool after its stunning win against Portland last weekend.
The former North Ballarat Rebel labelled the Roosters’ drought-breaking win as “massive” for the club.
“We have a few to come back in but the few who go out will be unlucky,” he said.
Port Fairy coach Sam Rudolph said Hollmer was an important inclusion for the Seagulls, who will be without Robinson.
Robinson injured his ribs in the Seagulls’ loss to Hamilton Kangaroos on Sunday.
“He (Hollmer) gives us another option up forward with ‘Big Show’ out,” Rudolph said.
“He’s a strong leading target and can pinch hit in the ruck.
“He’s another big body and someone who knows the group.”
Hollmer’s debut comes a week after his former Geelong teammate Jaxson Barham left for an overseas trip.
Barham played the first three games for Port Fairy after joining the Seagulls in the off-season.
“He said he’d like to be back for finals if we make them,” Rudolph said of the former Collingwood midfielder.