OG’s Sport Report

THE successful transition into B Grade for the Old Geelong Football Club (it’s third such rise in a 69-year history) has been strongly supported at all levels from The Geelong College.

Our four teams have all benefited from College Old Collegians, with the Senior Men’s side including 2015 College vice-captain (and APS representative) Matt Bird (OGC 2015), whose sublime disposal on either side remains a feature of his game. From the same year group is Jack Sheridan (OGC 2015), who was club best and fairest in 2022 and is continuing his fine form as a ruckman in B Grade.

Jacob Jess (OGC 2013) remains one of the more durable players in recent club history, setting tackling records in the midfield with his uncompromising attack on the ball or anyone with it who is wearing an opposition jumper. In last year’s finals series Jacob, who is the son of Geelong College teacher Kevin Jess, celebrated his 100th game, an honour another Old Collegian, Harry Graham (OGC 2013), is soon to notch up. Harry and Jacob both left College in 2013, Jacob playing as a midfielder whereas Harry has played his best football as a high-leaping key defender.

Nick Morwood (OGC 2014), a member of Old Geelong’s 2022 Reserves Premiership side, has elevated his game as a hard-working small forward, a position Will “Wink” Simpson (OGC 2014) dominated in during 2022 when he kicked 73 goals from 21 games in the Reserves Premiership. Hamish Seller (OGC 2013), Tim Hosking (OGC 2014), and Lachie Morwood (OGC 2016) were important members of the same team.

Sam Jess (OGC 2016) Toby Lever (OGC 2018) and Alex Crowe (OGC 2018) are all talented and regular faces around the club while Geordie Whittakers (OGC 2020) has become a popular member of the club after moving from University Blues, just as his brother Paddy (OGC 2017) previously did.

In the women’s program, Charlotte Kay (OGC 2015) Katie-Rose Campbell (OGC 2015) and Tessa Longden (OGC 2020) have all helped coach Jack Crameri establish the team as a potential final’s contender. The club recently played its annual “home game” at The Geelong College on May 27 against unbeaten ladder leaders St Bernard’s, a game that was preceded by a sold-out luncheon for 90 OG’s Club members. A highlight was the appearance of 1962 Brownlow medallist Alistair Lord (OGC 1956) who was questioned by Jon Anderson (OGC 1970) about his stunning career, which included being selected in the combined APS side, despite being aged just 16 and in Year 10. Alistair and his identical twin brother Stewart both went on to play in Geelong’s 1963 Premiership.

The OGs look forward to seeing many more Old Geelong Collegians pull on the “hoops” in the seasons to come.