TAC Cup graduates headline a host of south-west products looking to ply their trade in the VFL this season.
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Portland’s Lochie Huppatz is among them and, together with Tigers teammate Jay Moody, is looking to make an impact at North Ballarat Roosters.
It will be Moody’s second crack at the VFL after he spent some time on Geelong’s list last year before returning home to Portland, while Huppatz is stepping up to state league for the first time.
His former Rebels teammates Charlie Lee, Shannon Beks (both South Warrnambool), Nick Hausler (Koroit) have also joined the Roosters, while Jarrod Korewha (Koroit) is also hopeful of making the Roosters’ list.
Another up-and-coming footballer in James Gow has joined Geelong, where he will play alongside Ben Moloney, who crossed from Collingwood’s VFL team.
Sam Dobson and Sam McLachlan will continue for a second season with the Cats, while Sam Dwyer will fly the flag for the south-west with Port Melbourne.
A few Hampden products are also hopeful of making the Werribee Tigers’ VFL list, which was still to be finalised at the time of going to print.
Players to watch
JAY MOODY: It's take two in the state league system for the Portland forward, who spent some time on Geelong's VFL list last year before moving back to Hanlon Park. He will look to play his trade with the North Ballarat Roosters this time around and, given the sort of form he produced in the HFNL last year, could be a real force around goals.
NICK HAUSLER: The Koroit ruckman is seizing his opportunity and making amends for a disappointing end to last season, which saw him out of favour with the Rebels and missing out on senior selection at his home club. But he hit pre-season 2017 with renewed vigor and determination, earning a spot on the North Ballarat Roosters' list. Now, he is looking to make an impact up forward and in the ruck.
