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One of the founding members of the GFNL is making a strong push up the ladder this season.

By Ben Andonoudis

Grovedale’s resurgence is gathering momentum as the club eyes a return towards the top of the ladder.

For Grovedale Co-President Simon Hose, it’s a club that’s been home for 25 years.

Despite never playing a game for Grovedale, Hose became a part of the club after coaching his son in juniors and “just loved the community” that Grovedale is known for.

“It’s a working man’s club,” he says. “People enjoy coming here, not just for footy and netball, but to relax and see people that they see every weekend”.

With upwards of 570 junior netballers and footballers, Grovedale has become one of the competition’s strongest participation clubs, with numbers that underline its importance to the local community.

“The club is certainly progressing on the courts and on the footy ground, we’re moving in the right direction,” Hose said.

But that growth has presented new challenges.

Despite having great facilities at Burdoo Reserve, the rapid rise in participation has meant that what was once ample space is now being stretched.

Having access to a back oval is helpful for the club, but it requires a tight schedule.

“Everyone’s got to abide by their times and get off at their required training time, so other groups can use it,” Hose outlined.

“(The club) has been here a long time and we're just getting bigger every year, and (we’re) running out of room.”

2026 so far has been a successful one for the Tigers, with football and netball producing strong results across multiple senior grades already.

This doesn’t mean that the club is resting on its laurels though as the hunger for success continues.

“(We need) to move up the ladder, especially in senior footy,” Hose says.

(We’ve) had guys here for three or four solid pre-season’s now.”

Hose described the 67-point win against St Albans in round two as a performance that, “boosted a bit of confidence and a bit of morale around the place.”

The senior netball program has also surged this season, with a host of new recruits reinvigorating the club across multiple grades.

Coach Rachel Randall is a source of praise.

“She has been fantastic for our girls over the last three, four years,” Hose said of the coach. "(She) really switched on with the whole club environment.”

As for his future vision of the club, Hose has a simple aim.

“(A place) where people want to come and play and be happy to provide something for young people to do on a Saturday”.

AFL Barwon extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Damien Christensen, a highly respected figure in our football community.

Damien’s impact across the region and beyond was significant. At GFL senior level, he coached Lara FNC (1992–93), St Joseph’s FNC (1997) and Newtown & Chilwell FNC (2016), earning widespread respect for his leadership and commitment to his clubs.

He was also the head coach of the Geelong Falcons 2000 premiership side, where he played a vital role in developing young footballers and guiding many along the elite pathway.

Damien’s involvement in the game extended to the VFL, where he represented Geelong as a player across 17 games, before continuing his coaching career with Williamstown and Box Hill.

He will be remembered as a valued contributor to the Geelong region as a coach, player and mentor who gave so much to football and the wider community.

On behalf of AFL Barwon, we acknowledge Damien’s outstanding contribution to the game and honour his memory. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

(Image: Geelong Broadcasters)

On a day where the nation remembers the sacrifices made for us, Anzac Day football and netball across the region carries meaning far beyond the scoreboard.

By Ben Andonoudis

The silence before the start of the game says everything.

As the Last Post rings out, football fades into the background.

Around grounds across the region, April 25 will represent not just a day for football, but a day where players become custodians of a tradition that stretches far beyond the game.

In the marquee game of the round for the GFNL, a 17-year tradition will again take centre stage as St Joseph’s and South Barwon meet in their annual ANZAC Day clash.

Last year’s contest was an 11-point tussle, adding another thrilling chapter to a fiercely contested history.

St Joseph’s president Sue Cormack knows the significance of playing on a special day for all Australians, describing it as “a privilege for both clubs”.

Cormack went on to note how Anzac Day meant a lot to people as a “day filled with gratitude to those who have served our country, for the peace that Australians enjoy, and for the opportunity to belong to a community club”.

While the two powerhouse clubs of the GFNL “enjoy a great rivalry on the field”, they also “relish the collaboration between our clubs which has kept this tradition alive”, according to Cormack.

For all the commemorations and ceremony, South Barwon will be determined to end 11 straight Anzac Day defeats to their fierce rivals St Joseph’s.

For South Barwon president Tim Sherman, the match is “always one of our most anticipated games for the season and we are very much looking forward to it again in 2026”.

While being “thrilled to continue the privilege of competing in the annual GFNL Anzac Day clash”, the game means so much more to the club.

South Barwon uses the game to “further educate our players and supporters on the importance of honouring those who have served our country” in a telling nod to the significance of the day.

The other game on Anzac Day in the GFNL sees Geelong West take on St Albans in a clash that was a 7-point thriller in ANZAC round 2025.

The BFNL sees Newcomb take on Ocean Grove with both clubs keen to honour the Anzac spirit.

Greg Mervin, president of Ocean Grove FNC, is mindful of “playing community sport on Anzac Day as it is a tremendous privilege”.

A special day on the calendar for the club, Mervin said “for the club it is a day of reflection and remembrance where we honour the sacrifice of all who have served and acknowledge values such as courage and mateship that define the ANZAC spirit”.

Drysdale will face Portarlington in the other BFNL Anzac Day match as Drysdale look to build on last year’s comprehensive 63-point win.

More than 416,000 Australians served in World War I, with close to a million following in World War II, figures that continue to give weight to the moments of silence observed before each game.

On a day where the nation pauses and reflects, local football does its part to ensure that the Anzac spirit lives on in every contest, every handshake, and every moment of silence.