It’s also a chance to catch up with friends and relive old times. 

Zac Lane will line up in the carnival for the fourth time, with a group of friends who grew up together in the Koroit district. 

Lane will be joined on court in the under 23 division by Daniel Harrington, Sam Fitzgibbon, Josh Lane, Brett Harrington, Drew O’Grady and Darcy Keast.

He said the group had been playing together since juniors. 

“We played in under 16 and under 18 squads in Warrnambool then we came out and started playing in Koroit together,” he said. 

“We all grew up together but we’ve finished school and are doing different things so we don’t get to play together as much any more. 

“So the seaside carnival is a good way to catch up and play again.” 

He said they were hoping to go one better than last year when they lost the semi-final to the eventual Under 23 winners. 

“We only just lost it so hopefully we can get the win this year,” Lane said yesterday. 

“We’ve been doing a bit of training and working on our shooting and I think we are looking pretty good again. 

“It’s a good social weekend and it’s good to still be able to play at a fairly competitive level again.” 

Carnival organiser Sharon Blackney-Noter said the 42nd annual carnival had attracted 57 teams from across the state to compete across eight divisions. 

“In the mens’ draw we will have A grade, A reserve, B grade, under 23, master 35-40 and masters 40 plus,” she said yesterday. 

“We also have women’s A reserve and B grade.”

Blackney said the tournament would start on Saturday morning,  with preliminary games continuing until Sunday at The Arc and Brauer College. 

She said finals would be played on Monday. 

“We have worked a three-point shootout competition in over the weekend, so players can enter into that as well,” Blackney said. 

“It’s always a busy but fun weekend.

“It’s always popular. We have some teams that have been coming for 20 years, so it’s a good social event as well.” 

jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au