St Josephs

AFL Barwon wishes to advise that, due to a facility issue at Burdoo Reserve, all Blood Toyota Geelong FNL Netball matches scheduled between Grovedale FNC and St Joseph's FNC tomorrow will now be played atHerne Hill Reserve.

All match times will remain as previously scheduled.

All GFNL netball fixtures can be found at www.aflbarwon.com.au/gfnl-clubs

Image: Sandra McLaren Photography

The much anticipated Grand Final rematch in the Dow Bellarine Football Netball League between Anglesea and Torquay has been moved to Saturday April 26th following consultation between both clubs.

Matches are scheduled to commence at the standard start times for all competitions.

There has been an amendment to the start times of the Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League matches in the Round 0 game between Newtown & Chilwell and St Joseph's. The Senior Men's Football Match will now start at 1:40pm.

The full 2025 fixtures can be found at aflbarwon.com.au

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 25will 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.

Geelong West Giants v St Albans

At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP have reviewed vision of an incident that occurred during the 4^th quarter of the Geelong West Giants v St Albans Senior match 13^th August 2022 involving a potentially dangerous tackle by Emmanuel Ajang #58 Geelong West Giants on Matthew Graham #13 St Albans.

It was deemed the tackle was not reportable and no charge was laid.

Lara v St Joseph’s

At the request of the officiating umpire, the MRP reviewed vision of a melee that occurred during the 3^rd quarter of the Lara v St Joseph’s Senior match 13^th August 2022.

No reportable incidents were identified and the melee did not warrant any further action.

No charge was laid.

Modewarre v Geelong Amateur

At the request of the officiating umpire, the MRP reviewed vision of an incident that occurred in the 2^nd quarter of the Modewarre v Geelong Amateur Senior Elimination Final 14^th August 2022 involving a late bump by Jack Scarlett #17 Geelong Amateur on Callan Farrell #15 Modewarre. It was deemed that the down the field free kick that was paid was the appropriate action in this instance.

No charge was laid.

Thomson v Inverleigh

At the request of the officiating umpire, the MRP reviewed vision of an incident that occurred during the 4^th quarter of the Thomson v Inverleigh Senior match 13^th August 2022 involving an alleged high bump by Ryan Garrard #17 Inverleigh on Jackson Sheedy #13 Thomson. It was deemed that the bump was fair with contact to Sheedy made when falling back against another opponent caused his injury.

No charge was laid.

Bell Post Hill v Geelong West Giants

At the request of the officiating umpire, the MRP reviewed vision of an incident that occurred in the 2^nd quarter of the Bell Post Hill v Geelong West Giants Senior match 13^th August 2022.

It was deemed that the bump applied by William Ford #17 Bell Post Hill on Michael Leamer #6 Geelong West Giants warranted a free kick and 50 metre penalty, but was not reportable.

No charge was laid.

The MRP also reviewed vision of an incident from the 4^th quarter of the Bell Post Hill v Geelong West Giants Senior match 13^th August 2022 where Zane Jones #20 Bell Post Hill was reported for rough conduct on Samuel Edwards #18 Geelong West Giants. The MRP supported the report and felt that a reprimand was an appropriate sanction to be offered in this instance.

Both clubs involved have until 10.00am Tuesday 16^th August to request the matter be heard at Tribunal, or the sanction will apply as offered.

Anakie v Thomson

At the request of Anakie FNC, the MRP viewed vision of an incident that occurred in the first quarter of the Anakie v Thomson Senior match on Saturday 9^th July 2022.

The MRP deemed that Jackson Macleod #2 Thomson chose to bump making high contact with Nick Kalbarczyk #21 Anakie.

Jackson Macleod was reported for engaging in rough conduct and has been offered a one match set penalty.

Newcomb v Modewarre

At the request of Modewarre FNC, the MRP viewed vision of an incident that occurred in the 2^nd quarter of the Newcomb v Modewarre Senior match on Saturday 9^th July 2022.

The MRP deemed that the incident involving Corey Ogle #23 Newcomb and Josh Finch #18 Modewarre was not reportable, and the free kick & 50 metre penalty was appropriate in the circumstances.

No charge was laid.

Reports

St Joseph’s v North Shore

James Hickey #27 St Joseph’s was reported by the officiating umpires for engaging in rough conduct with what was alleged to be a dangerous tackle on Will Milsome #35 North Shore in the 2^nd quarter of the St Joseph’s v North Shore Senior match on Saturday 9^th July 2022.

The MRP viewed the incident and have supported the action as being reportable, the 2 match set penalty as offered is deemed appropriate.

Corio v Bannockburn

Kieran Fulton #23 Bannockburn was reported by the officiating umpire for engaging in rough conduct with what was alleged to be a dangerous tackle on Blake Ash #20 Corio in the 3^rd quarter of the Corio v Bannockburn Senior match on Saturday 9^th July 2022.

The MRP viewed the incident and have supported the action as being reportable, but based on the vision and in consultation with the reporting umpires have amended the set penalty offered to one match.

Where Set Penalties have been offered, both clubs involved have until 10.00am Tuesday 12^th July to request the matter be heard at Tribunal, or the Set Penalty will apply as offered.