GFNL Football Preview | Round 15
AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this weekend’s Senior Football matches in the Geelong Football Netball League.
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Bell Park vs Colac
Hamlyn Park, 2:10PM, Saturday 9th August, 2025
An important game for the context of how the top five will play out.
Bell Park currently sits half a game inside the top five with South Barwon and Leopold right on their heels,
A win this week would keep them inside the top five and send a warning to the competition of their abilities after defeating St Mary’s comfortably last weekend.
Colac has an opportunity to claim top spot of the ladder with a win,
Their percentage is the strongest in the competition and with St Joseph’s and Newtown on a bye this weekend after playing in round zero, all clubs will have played 15 games.
Dragons key players, Benjamin Lloyd and Isaac Wareham should played pivotal roles for James Saker’s side, particularly by their disposal by foot, both average 16.8 and 13.8 kicks respectively per game.
The Dragons rate above average for total marks, averaging 88.6 marks per game,
Last week they totalled 108 marks, a number they have reached five times with four of those games coming as wins, could be the magic number.
The Tigers average an elite 59.2 inside 50’s per game, key players, Darcy Lang, when available and Zachary Zdybel average 10.0 and 8.0 score involvements per game, and figure to be dangerous around goals.
Jason Armistead’s squad averages 228.9 kicks per game which rates elite, expect the Tigers to be moving the football with pace by foot.
Tune into AFL Barwon TV from 2.10pm on Saturday to watch live coverage of this big clash!
St Albans vs Geelong West Giants
St Albans Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 9th August, 2025
Expect a fiercely contested brand of football from both sides, particularly through the midfield which is an area of strength for both teams.
Both sides played back in round two, with Geelong West Giants finishing on top in a close affair.
Rick Munn’s men will look to respond after last week’s performance, totalling 274 total disposals,
In games they have won, only one of those games have they totalled less than their disposal count from last weekend.
Major ball winners, Fletcher Keck and Brock McDonald should acquire plenty of the pill, averaging 25.4 and 18.7 disposals per game, respectively.
In the five games the Giants have won, they have totalled over 300 disposals in each game, clearly a number of significances for Greg Mallor’s side.
Lachlan Handley and Rory Parnell both average over 20 disposals per game.
Grovedale vs St Mary’s
Burdoo Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 9th August, 2025
Polar opposite weekends for both sides, Grovedale come into this match with plenty of energy after an impressive performance against St Albans,
St Mary’s however were handed a heavy defeat to Bell Park, potentially putting their top three credentials in jeopardy.
In games Jacob Spolding’s side has won, their turnover count has been significantly lower than when they have lost games,
Figures suggest between 60 – 76 could improve the Tigers chances of an upset.
Key ball users, Harrison Whyte and Rory Quinn average 7.0 and 4.1 rebound 50’s per game.
Heading into last weekend’s game, St Mary’s most back half turnovers given up was seven, they totalled a major 18 back half turnovers against Bell Park.
Clearly an area of improvement for Luke Rayner’s men.
Major users out of the back half, Keidan Rayner and Brayden Ham average 3.0 and 2.6 rebound 50’s per game.
Leopold vs Lara
Leopold Memorial Park, 2:10PM, Saturday 9th August, 2025
A big opportunity for the reigning premiers to put some pressure on those above them on the ladder with a large win.
The potential to gain some much-needed percentage against a challenged Lara squad could prove beneficial.
The Lions totalled 48 inside 50’s last weekend against St Joseph’s and average 50.6 which rate average for the competition.
An uptick for this statistic this weekend should provide plenty of opportunities in front of goals for Luke Kelly’s side.
Recently re-signed Marcus Thompson leads his side, averaging 6.2 inside 50’s per game.
The Cats totalled 94 marks last weekend, the third most for their season, a figure Brett Henderson would be pleased with but would also be looking to improve on further.
Thomas Gunther leads his clubs, averaging 10.5 marks per game.
South Barwon vs North Shore
McDonald Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 9th August, 2025
South Barwon currently sits half a game outside the top five, results will need to go their way to get back into the five,
However, this weekend they have an opportunity to bank some important percentage if they’re able to finish on top against a young North Shore squad.
The Swans rate below average for clearances in the competition,
Last weekend they totalled 30 clearances with only six of those being centre clearances, a number Mark Neeld would be finding ways to improve.
Last year’s Mathieson Medal Winner, Doyle Madigan averages 6.4 clearances per game.
The Seagulls displayed their ability to win the football last week against Geelong West Giants, totalling 319 disposals, the most they have acquired all season.
However, they turned the football over 103 times,
Mark Hounslow would be optimistic with his sides ability to find the footy but would be looking at ways to finetune their disposal by foot and hand.
Major ball winners, Connor Walmsley and Jacob Sammut-Miljevic are averaging 33.5 and 27.1 disposals per game.
