Reigning Geelong Bowls Region Premier Division champions Ocean Grove will play its first round of matches at its brand new undercover Dome.
Forced to play at away venues during the 2024/25 season while the facility was being built, Ocean Grove bowls coordinator and star player Tyson Cromie said the entire club was excited to be back home under the Dome.
“A lot of time and effort went into it so for us to be able to utilise the facility and play our first game on it, is quite an exciting prospect for the club,” he said.
“Luckily, our Premier side is playing at home in round one off the back of winning the grand final last year, which is good.”
The Dome includes two large LED screens, integrated live-streaming equipment, premium lighting and tiered grandstand seating.
The Grovers will open their season against newly promoted Lara, which knocked off Ocean Grove in the Division 1 grand final last season.
“They’ve obviously earned their right to be there and I’m sure that they’ll be all guns blazing for their first game back in Premier Division after about a four or five year stint back in Division 1,” Cromie said.
“We’re expecting them to bring their best, but we believe that if we play to our best that they won’t be able to beat us.”
Ocean Grove has picked up Josh Rudd from Torquay, who finished runner-up to Cromie in the 2023/24 Champion of Champions tournament.
“He’s played for Victoria in the past, so he’ll be a good addition to our side,” Cromie said.
“We’ve got some of our members that we had in previous seasons that have also improved as well, and certainly knocking on the door for selection, which is creating competition for spots, which is always healthy.
“It just keeps that competitive nature and always striving to get better.”
Cromie expects Highton to again challenge for the title.
“Highton will be up there as they always are,” he said.
“Queenscliff have picked up a few players, I believe, so it will be interesting to have a look at them in a couple of weeks’ time, just to see what they’re like.
“We played a practice match against Drysdale on the weekend just gone and they actually got over the line against us so we expect them to be quite competitive.
“But with permit players and marquee players and things like that at the moment, we’re not quite sure as to what all the teams will look like.”
GEELONG BOWLS REGION
Premier Division, Round 1, Saturday October 25, 1pm
(home clubs mentioned first)
Ocean Grove vs Lara
Queenscliff vs Drysdale
Torquay vs Bell Post Hill
Eastern Park vs Highton
