News

Source: Geelong Advertiser

FOOTBALL supporters will be transported back to a bygone era when Geelong West-St Peter's takes on Newtown & Chilwell at West Oval tomorrow.

In a sight that will no doubt warm the hearts of old Geelong West Football Club supporters, the Roosters' will run out wearing the old white and red jumpers from the club's days in the VFA competition.

It follows the success of the inaugural heritage week last year when GWSP wore the old St Peter's blue and white striped jumpers against St Joseph's.

Geelong West played in the VFA between 1963 and 1988 before it merged with St Peter's, winning division two premierships in 1964, '68 and '72 and a division one flag in 1975.

The club also won four premierships during its stint in the Ballarat Football League between 1946-62.

GWSP heritage committee member Kevin Kirby said Geelong West had to reverse the colours of its jumper when it moved from the BFL to the VFA to avoid clashing with Preston.

Roosters' captain Luke Sharry - who had to put on an original VFA jumper for the photo shoot as the replica jumpers had not arrived in time - said the heritage week was a good idea developed by the club.

"Hopefully we can put up a better showing than we did last year," Sharry said.

After breaking their finals drought last season, the Roosters have tumbled down the GFL ladder this year and have just one win from the opening six rounds.

However, they have been decimated by off-season player departures and injuries to key players in the early rounds. Among those missing tomorrow are Shane Jack (collarbone) and ruckman Mark Stewart (elbow).

But, they regain Josh Sells while key forward Nathan Saunders is also expected to take his place after leaving the ground early in their loss to Bell Park last round.

The seventh-placed Eagles will be out to win to keep in touch with the top five.

"There's a good rivalry between ourselves and Newtown," Sharry said.

"The last couple of years they've been a bogey team for us."