Finals

BFNL Grand Final to remain at Newcomb in 2026 and 2027

AFL Barwon is pleased to confirm Grinter Reserve (Newcomb FNC) and Portarlington Recreation Reserve as the host venues for the 2026 Dow Bellarine Football Netball League Finals Series.

As part of the appointment process, Grinter Reserve has been confirmed as the host venue for the Dow BFNL Preliminary Finals and Grand Finals through to the end of the 2027 season, providing certainty for clubs, supporters and stakeholders.

Newcomb has successfully hosted three of the last four BFNL Grand Finals, demonstrating a strong track record of delivering major events and comfortably accommodating anticipated crowd numbers.

Newcomb President Matt Farrow said, “The Newcomb Power Football Netball Club is proud to have been chosen to host the final two weeks of finals for the next two seasons. Being centrally located for all clubs and with the capacity to host significant crowds, we believe it provides a great option for the BFNL. This decision will also allow us to work with council and state stakeholders on potential small upgrades to further support the delivery of a fantastic event for our league.”

Portarlington Recreation Reserve will host the opening weeks of the 2026 finals series, including the Qualifying and Elimination Finals on 29–30 August, followed by the Semi Finals on 5–6 September. The finals action will move to Grinter Reserve following the Semi Finals, with Newcomb Football Netball Club hosting the Preliminary Finals on Saturday 12 September before culminating in the Dow Bellarine Football Netball League Grand Final on Saturday 19 September.

AFL Barwon can also confirm that Lara Recreation Reserve will once again host the Epworth Senior and Junior Female Football Grand Finals on Sunday 30 August, with matches played across multiple grounds.

Following the success of last year’s Kempe Junior Male Grand Finals, St Joseph’s Football Netball Club will again host the event at Herne Hill Reserve across Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, utilising both ovals.

Venues for the opening weeks of the Epworth Female Football Finals Series and the Kempe Junior Male Finals Series will be announced in due course.

Further details regarding fixtures, match times and ticketing information will be released via the AFL Barwon website and social media channels closer to the commencement of the 2026 Finals Series.

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Epworth Senior Female Football Finals Fixtures

The Week One fixture for the 2026 Epworth Senior Female Football Division 2 Finals Series has been confirmed, with two matches to be played on Sunday.

The Qualifying Final will see Lara host Grovedale at Lara Recreation Reserve, with the match commencing at 12.00pm. The winner will progress through to take on Torquay, while the loser will receive a second opportunity in the following week against the winner of the Elimination Final.

The Elimination Final will be played at St Joseph's, where St Joseph's will face St Albans/Thomson, also commencing at 12.00pm.

AFL Barwon congratulates all clubs on qualifying for the 2026 Epworth Senior Female Football Division 2 Finals Series and looks forward to an exciting opening weekend of finals football.

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Everything You Need To Know About All-Abilities Finals

By Ben Andonoudis

Saturday, August 15 will see the AFL Barwon All-Abilities Football season come to an end as both divisions play their final games.

Here is everything you need to know:

Who is playing?

The AFL Barwon All-Abilities competitions feature two divisions.

Contact division:

Bell Park
Geelong West
Newcomb
St Joseph's

Non-contact division:

Geelong West
Newcomb
Newtown & Chilwell
St Joseph's

Where are they playing?

Games will be played at St Joseph's FNC, taking place at both Walker Oval and Plan Group Oval on Saturday.

What about the season to this point?

The season started in April, with players battling it out over 10 rounds.

Who is playing who?

Contact Division:

The Grand final pits 2025 runners-up Bell Park, taking on 2025 consolation final winner Newcomb. The two sides have met once this season ,with Bell Park winning by 12-points.

The Consolation Final will see 2025 premiers Geelong West take on 2025 consolation final runners-up St Joseph's. The Joeys defeated Geelong West by 37 points in their only previous meeting this season.

Non-contact division:

The 2026 season saw the introduction of a non-contact division for the first time, allowing more players to take part in organised sport while having their abilities catered to.

The non-contact division is also non-competitive, allowing players to play for the love of the game.

In the non-contact division, the four teams have all performed at a high level and will be looking to end the season on a high.

Geelong West take on Newcomb in game one, while game two sees St Joseph's take on Newtown & Chilwell.

How can you support the players?

Get down to the games and cheer them on as they take to the field! They are free to attend.

Full Fixture (all on Saturday):

GAME 1 (NON-CONTACT) – Geelong West Giants vs Newcomb Power – WALKER OVAL

1:15pm – Game commences.
2:15pm – Game concludes (club medal presentations to follow).

GAME 2 (NON-CONTACT) – St Joseph's vs Newtown & Chilwell – WALKER OVAL

2:45pm – Game commences.
3:45pm – Games concludes (club medal presentations to follow).

GAME 3 (CONTACT) – Geelong West Giants vs St Joseph's - Consolation Final – WALKER OVAL

4:50pm – Teams run onto the ground.
5:00pm – Game commences.
6:25pm – Game concludes.
7:15pm – Presentation of medals in clubrooms.

GAME 4 (CONTACT) – Bell Park Dragons vs Newcomb Power - Grand Final – PLAN GROUP OVAL

5:35pm – Teams run onto the groud
5:40pm – Teams line up for national anthem and announcements
5:45pm – Game commences.
7:10pm – Game concludes.
7:15pm – Presentation of medals in clubrooms.

Grand Final Day is about more than the final scores. It is a celebration ofinclusion, participation, teamwork and community, recognising the incredible contribution players, coaches, volunteers, families and clubs make to All Abilities football across the region.

AFL Barwon thanks Kardinia Park Stadium Trust for its continued support as the naming rights partner of the All Abilities competition, and St Joseph’s Football Netball Club for hosting what promises to be a fantastic Grand Final Day.

We encourage families, friends, teammates and supporters to get along to St Joseph’s FNC and help create a memorable atmosphere for everyone involved.

Good luck to all teams competing, and congratulations to every player who has contributed to another fantastic season of All Abilities football!

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Everything You Need To Know: Epworth Senior Female Division 2 Finals Series

By Ben Andonoudis

The AFL Barwon Epworth Senior Female Division 2 finals series gets underway with two exciting games to take place on Sunday.

Qualifying final: Lara vs Grovedale @ Lara Recreation Reserve (12pm, Sunday 9^th August)

The winner of this game will take on top of the ladder Torquay for a spot in the grand final.

Both teams have been impressive this season with Lara finishing the regular season in second while Grovedale were third on the ladder.

Both have great records this season with Lara having only tasted defeat once up to this point and Grovedale enjoying a 10-win home-and-away season.

The two previous matchups between these sides have seen Lara come away 61-point winners in round seven and 78-point winners in round 13.

Grovedale have shown improvement this season, having finished in seventh spot last season in Division 2.

Elimination final: St Joseph's vs St Albans/Thomson @ Herne Hill Reserve (12pm Sunday 9^th August)

The winner of this game will face off in a sudden-death semi-final against the losing team from the other matchup this weekend.

Following the end of the regular season, St Joseph's found themselves in fourth spot while St Albans/Thomson were in fifth.

Both teams have enjoyed a positive win-loss record, St Joseph's going 9-5 in the home-and-away, and St Albans/Thomson 8-6.

The sides have faced off against each other twice already in 2026, with a thriller occurring in round seven as St Albans/Thomson came away two-point winners.

The other matchup between the two sides saw St Josephs win by forfeit.

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GFNL Grand Final to remain at Kardinia Park under new three-year agreement

AFL Barwon, Kardinia Park Stadium Trust and the Geelong Cats have joined forces to secure GMHBA Stadium and the Kardinia Park Precinct as the home of the GFNL Grand Final for at least the next three years.

The announcement formalises a shared commitment to delivering a high-quality, community-centred Grand Final experience at Victoria’s premier regional sporting venue.

The 2024 and 2025 Blood Toyota GFNL Grand Finals were held at Kardinia Park, attracting more than 20,000 spectators through the gates. A further 20,000 viewers tuned in via live broadcast coverage.

The event continues to play a significant role across the wider Barwon community, with supporters travelling from across Victoria and interstate to attend last year’s Grand Final.

AFL Barwon CEO Kate Patterson said “We’re in such a fortunate and unique position, being the only region in Victoria with an AFL club. Through this partnership with the Geelong Cats and KPST, we’re able to offer our clubs, players and supporters the chance to celebrate their biggest moment on a world-class stage.

“It’s an opportunity very few community football and netball leagues ever get, and we’re incredibly proud to be able to bring that experience to the GFNL.”

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Gerard Griffin said “At Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, community is one of our core pillars, so we are thrilled to support the Geelong Football and Netball League Grand Finals at the Kardinia Park precinct over the next three years. This event is a highlight in our calendar and is the only community league football match to be held at an AFL stadium in Victoria.

“We’re proud to partner with AFL Barwon and Geelong Football Club to help deliver such a memorable experience for the players and community."

Geelong Cats Chief Operating Officer Marcus King said "We’re excited to see the GFNL Grand Finals returning to GMHBA Stadium and the broader Kardinia Park precinct for the next three years. Community football and netball is such a significant part of our region, and it is fitting that local football and netball grand finals will continue to be showcased on the biggest stage in Geelong.

“It will also be a great opportunity for the football community to enjoy a huge week of football, with the GFNL Grand Finals to follow the AFLW match against Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium on the Thursday night of AFL Grand Final week.”

The 2026 GFNL Grand Final will be played on Victoria’s Grand Final Public Holiday on Friday 25 September including 3 games of football and 12 games of netball. Further announcements on 2026 Finals Series venues will be made in the coming weeks.

Further information on the event will be available via the AFL Barwon website and AFL Barwon social media platforms.