GULLS LAND TALENTED TRIO
EX-CARLTON listed player Finn O’Dwyer is one of three key signings for North Shore.
Lauderdale hard nut Phil Bellchambers, who is engaged to the daughter of co-coach Darren Winter, and former Geelong College captain Noah Lever have also put pen to paper at Windsor Park.
Co-coach Nick Dixon said Lever could be an “absolute star” and push for higher honours.
And the Seagulls are hoping returning champion Jason Davenport will be available for half the GFL season as he juggles coaching commitments with Oakleigh Chargers and Vic Metro.
O’Dwyer, 20, was taken with pick 66 in the 2018 draft but was delisted last year without playing an AFL game.
It’s expected the Murray Bushrangers graduate will spend most of the season with Northern Bullants in the VFL.
Dixon said O’Dwyer signed with North Shore through a connection with Davenport, the pair having developed a relationship during their time at Carlton when the latter was development coach.
“If we can get some games out of him, he’ll be a very good player at GFL level,” Dixon said.
“I actually played against him a couple of times in the VFL when I was at Essendon. He was a very good player. He’s pretty versatile and can play key position or small and play back or forward.”
Bellchambers, nicknamed “Rock” for his tough and tenacious approach, brings more than 150 games of Tasmanian State League experience. He claimed Lauderdale’s best-and-fairest in 2018 and was made captain of the competition’s Team of the Year in the same season.
Bellchambers will fly in and out from Hobart to Geelong with Winter, who he was coached by on the Apple Isle, during the season.
“He was very well respected in Tassie State League,” Dixon said.
“He was one of the most physical players down there.” Lever played junior football with St Joseph’s and spent time with Geelong Falcons.
“He has the potential to be a really good player, not only at GFL but higher honours,” Dixon said. “Given that opportunity, I think he can be an absolute star.
“For us to get someone like him, especially at 19 years old and obviously a very good person having captained College and his leadership abilities as well, I think it’s a huge get for the club.
“He’s someone we can really build around going into the future or give him an opportunity to actually shine at GFL level and show people at VFL or higher honours to see,
‘Oh, this kid’s actually very good’.”
Dixon said Davenport was “pretty confident that it will definitely be more than half the year” he is available to play depending on the NAB League fixture, which is yet to be released. Liam McKenna (Port Melbourne) has also aligned with the club, with Lachlan Hayes (North Geelong) signing from the GDFL.