Cooper Whyte will pull on a Grovedale jumper for the first time in more than four years in tomorrow’s clash with Bell Park at Hamlyn Park.
Whyte last featured for the Tigers on May 15, 2021, and was one of the best players in a win over North Shore at Burdoo Reserve.
He then spent the remainder of the year at the Geelong Falcons before being drafted by Geelong.
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Whyte spent two years on the Cats’ list, making one AFL appearance in 2023.
Delisted by Geelong at the end of that year, he joined VFL club Werribee, featuring in their drought-breaking premiership in 2024.
With their flag defence not making it past the now-finished home-and-away season, Whyte has been released back to Grovedale for the final two rounds of the GFNL season.
“We’re really excited to have a Grovedale junior back in our team and someone who has been at the games all year and been really desperate to play on the (VFL) bye weeks,” coach Jacob Spolding said.
“And now he gets his opportunity, which we’re looking forward to.”
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Whyte will also get the chance to play alongside a handful of teammates from Grovedale’s 2019 AFL Barwon under-17 Division 1 premiership team.
“From looking at the team, I think there are five players who played in the under-17 premiership side from a number of years ago,” Spolding said.
“They all get to play senior footy together pretty much for the first time, which is exciting.
“That’s the pathway that footy clubs hope for when they set up their junior programme – that a number of players come through together and play senior footy.
“We get to do that tomorrow, which is a great story for our footy club.”
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In further good news at selection for Grovedale, it will also have access to Geelong VFL big man Nathan Kreuger.
The former Cats and Collingwood AFL player featured against St Albans in Round 14, kicking seven goals to help the Tigers to a 27-point win.
Spolding is confident that the addition of Kreuger and Whyte can again help Grovedale challenge the fifth-place Dragons.
When the two teams met in Round 7, Bell Park held off the Tigers in a two-point thriller, raising hopes of an upset tomorrow afternoon.
“We certainly go in thinking we can win; there’s no doubt about that,” Spolding said
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“Bell Park have been playing some really strong football since that day we played them.
“We understand that they’ll be coming out having a real crack because they’ve got finals on the line.
“We know that we can’t play finals, but we can maybe shape the finals.
“Our aim tomorrow is to go out and compete really aggressively. Having Cooper and Nathan in the team will add some firepower for us, and we’re excited to see what we can produce.”
Bell Park welcomes back Jett Bermingham, Mitch Mahady and Nick Petering, after all three were managed out of last week’s win over North Shore.
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They replace Rhys McWaters and Round 16 debutants Charlie Trezise and Dom Demirovic.
Colac will be without Zach Zdybel for its crucial clash with finals hopefuls South Barwon at McDonald Reserve.
The star big man is battling a minor knee issue, with the Tigers hopeful he will return for next week’s meeting with Grovedale to round out the home-and-away season.
Zydbel’s absence has been offset by the return of Darcy Lang, Lachie Simpkin, Josh Garner and Jack Skinner.
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Luke Hillman, Joel Cooper and Max Buchanan have been omitted.
The Swans, who need a win to stay in touch with the top five, have named Geelong VFL star Paddy Kelly and fellow Cat Oscar Pollock.
However, they’ve lost to reigning Mathieson medallist Doyle Madigan to a hamstring injury suffered late in the win over St Mary’s.
Aaron Vickery has been omitted.
Despite naming former North Melbourne player Charlie Lazzaro on Thursday night, the junior product won’t pull on a St Mary’s jumper in their clash with Geelong West at West Oval.
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However, the Saints will be boosted by the return of Rising Star favourite Fletcher Hughes, defender Charlie Lang, and premiership star Matt Copley.
They replace Mack Butcher, Jack Willson and Nick Dowling.
The Giants have included Ned Duyker as the replacement for last week’s debutant James Devlin.
Leopold captain Marcus Thompson will only play again in 2025 if the Lions can snatch a finals berth after suffering a hamstring injury in last week’s win over Grovedale.
However, the Lions will welcome back Tom Feely from illness for its meeting with North Shore at Memorial Park.
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Billy Clark and Harry Morphet have also been included, replacing Bradley Pasque and James Peters.
An illness-riddled St Albans has lost Joe Osbore and Ethan Guida, among three changes, for its meeting with St Joseph’s at Drew Oval.
However, midfielder Sam Donegan is right to go after completing an impressive season with VFL club Northern Bullants.
The Supersaints have also named debutant Connor Blyth after some strong form in the reserves.
More to come
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X: @krockfootball