Newcomb

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.

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.

St Albans v St Mary’s

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of an incident that occurred in the first quarter of the St Albans v St Mary’s Senior match on Saturday 25^th June 2022.

It was determined that the tackle laid by Kane Loftus # 38 St Mary’s on Oliver Boothey #43 St Albans was not reportable. No charge was laid in this instance.

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP also viewed vision of an incident that occurred in the fourth quarter of the St Albans v St Mary’s Senior match on Saturday 25^th June 2022.

It was determined that the tackle laid by Bailey Brogden #3 St Albans on Jack Blood #6 St Mary’s was a sling tackle which was deemed dangerous. Bailey Brogden was reported for Engaging in Rough Conduct.

A one week set penalty has been offered.

Geelong West Giants v Leopold

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of an incident that occurred in the first quarter of the Geelong West Giants v Leopold Senior match on Sunday 26^th June 2022.

It was determined that Luke Justin #20 Leopold chose to bump making high contact on Nicholas Wood #38 Geelong West Giants in a manner which constituted rough conduct.

A 2 match set penalty has been offered.

North Shore v Lara

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of a possible striking incident during the second quarter of the North Shore v Lara Senior match on Saturday 25^th June 2022.

The vision was inconclusive and no charge was laid.

Newcomb v Queenscliff

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of an alleged strike by Justin Maher #1 Queenscliff on Brenton Rees #38 Newcomb during the third quarter of the Newcomb v Queenscliff Senior match on Saturday 25^th June 2022. The vision did not show evidence of any strike occurring. No charge was laid.

Anglesea v Modewarre

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of a potential strike by Daniel Midolo #52  that occurred in the fourth quarter of the Anglesea v Modewarre Senior match on Saturday 25^th June 2022. The vision did not show evidence of any strike occurring. No charge was laid.

Inverleigh v Winchelsea

At the request of Winchelsea FNC, the MRP viewed vision of a bump applied by # 9 Inverleigh on #10 Winchelsea in the 3^rd quarter of the Inverleigh v Winchelsea match on Saturday 25^th June 2022. The bump was not deemed to be reportable. No charge was laid.

Where Set Penalties have been offered, both clubs involved have until 10.00am Tuesday 28^th June  to request the matter be heard at Tribunal, or the Set Penalty will apply as offered.

Anglesea v Newcomb

• At the request of Anglesea FNC the MRP viewed vision of a possible strike in an incident that occurred after the half time siren of the Anglesea v Newcomb Senior match on Saturday 21^st May 2022.

The MRP deemed that whilst it was unnecessary and had the potential to escalate, the action of #33 Newcomb on #50 Anglesea was not deemed reportable.

Torquay v Queenscliff

• At the request of Torquay FNC the MRP viewed vision of potential rough conduct by #8 Queenscliff and a potential striking incident by #1 Queenscliff on #49 Torquay that were alleged to have occurred during a melee at the end of the 2^nd Whilst the official vision did not show the incidents or the melee, unofficial vision provided by Torquay was viewed by the MRP. No striking offences were noted and the action of #8 Queenscliff was not deemed reportable by the MRP.
• Both clubs have been issued fines of $500 of which $250 will be suspended for the remainder of the 2022 season for their respective involvement in the melee.

Geelong West Giants v Bell Post Hill

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of a melee that occurred during the 2^nd quarter of the Geelong West Giants v Bell Post Hill senior match. No reportable offences were noted and the Melee was not deemed sufficient for any penalties to be applied in this instance.

St Albans v North Shore

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of a melee that occurred during the 1^st quarter of the St Albans v North Shore senior match. No reportable offences were noted and the Melee was not deemed sufficient for any penalties to be applied in this instance.

Newtown & Chilwell v South Barwon

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of an incident in the second quarter of the Newtown & Chilwell v South Barwon Senior match on Saturday 21^st May 2022 involving Lachlan Bond #15 Newtown & Chilwell and Todd Smith #28 South Barwon.

It was determined that Lachlan Bond be reported for striking Todd White and have offered a 2 match Set Penalty in this instance.

Inverleigh v Thomson

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of an incident that occurred during the 3^rd quarter of the Senior match Inverleigh v Thomson involving #24 Inverleigh and #43 Thomson. The incident was not deemed reportable. No charge laid.

• At the request of Inverleigh FNC, the MRP viewed vision of an incident that occurred during the 3^rd quarter of the Senior match Inverleigh v Thomson involving #7 Thomson Daniel Freeman and  #8 Inverleigh Lachlan Buyel. The MRP have reported Daniel Freeman for Rough Conduct through a dangerous tackle. A 2 match set penalty has been offered.

Bannockburn v North Geelong

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of an incident in the fourth quarter of the Bannockburn v North Geelong Senior match on Saturday 21^st May 2022 involving Brett Harding #19 Bannockburn and Dylan Fisher #18 North Geelong.

It was determined that Brett Harding be reported for carelessly striking Dylan Fisher and have offered a 1 match Set Penalty in this instance.

Geelong Amateur v Ocean Grove

• At the request of the officiating umpires, the MRP viewed vision of 3 separate melees that occurred during and at the end of the 3^rd The vision as viewed by the MRP indicated a large number of players from both sides involved, which was unnecessarily prolonged through further actions from both sides.

Both clubs have been issued fines of $1250 of which $750 will be suspended for the remainder of the 2022 season for their respective involvement in the melee.

Where reports have been laid, both clubs involved have until 10.00am Tuesday 24^th May  to request the matter be heard at Tribunal, or the Set Penalty will apply as offered.

Reports

St Mary’s v St Joseph’s

• The MRP viewed vision of a report that was laid by the officiating umpire against #16 St Joseph’s Joel O’Dwyer for Carelessly Striking #22 St Mary’s Darcy Chirgwin. They deemed that the vision reflected the action was not reportable by nature and in consultation with the umpire, the charge has been withdrawn.

Torquay v Queenscliff

• The MRP viewed vision of a report that was laid by the officiating umpires against #15 Queenscliff Lachlan Cohen for Rough Conduct on #25 Torquay Chase Loftus. They deemed that the vision reflected the action was not reportable by nature and in consultation with the umpires, the charge has been withdrawn.

Geelong West Giants v Bell Post Hill

• The MRP viewed vision of a report that was laid by the officiating umpire against #16 Bell Post Hill Dylan Witney for Carelessly Striking #1 Geelong West Giants Blake Dye. They deemed that the vision reflected the action was not reportable by nature and in consultation with the umpire, the charge has been withdrawn.

A former powerhouse of the BFNL is returning to finals football after 19 years.

By Ben Andonoudis

A finals drought almost two decades in the making will finally come to an end in Portarlington on Sunday.

The Newcomb Power’s senior side will run onto the field for a finals fixture for the first time since winning the 2007 BFNL premiership.

Since then, the club has endured some of the most challenging years in its history.

This season has been different for the Power. 2026 has seen nine wins which has propelled them into an elimination final against Barwon Heads.

For Newcomb Power senior coach Tony Mirabella Sunday’s game will present a vastly different challenge.

“It's just a completely different story and the intensity lifts, the contest lifts, the energy lifts”, Mirabella said.

While that may be the case, the Power can have confidence that they have performed well against Barwon during the season.

Their last match against the Seagulls saw Newcomb record a 102-point win in round 19. But Mirabella is not looking too much into it.

“The Barwon Heads coach said yesterday that it's a different game when it gets to finals and I completely agree with him having been a part of games where you've dominated in the home-and-away season and then come to finals”, Mirabella said.

A win on Sunday could see the Power face some of the powerhouses in the BFNL on their quest for a premiership. But the feeling among the group is that they can match it with those at the top.

“We're confident that our brand holds up against the best in the league and it's just about being confident enough to make sure that brand and that system is there,” Mirabella said.

The 2026 season has been one of many firsts for the senior squad at Newcomb. This season’s breakthrough has provided several of the club’s senior players with the opportunity to taste finals after some lean times.

“There's certainly a group of players that have done their time at Newcomb and probably haven't tasted that finals feeling for quite a while since they were in juniors,” Mirabella said.

While the 2026 season has seen the senior team progress from ninth to a fifth-place finish and finals football, those at the club know the journey has taken much longer.

“I think that when I took over in 2023 there was a couple of good years where Newcomb showed signs, but before the COVID era there were seasons where there were 200-point losses,” Mirabella said.

These dark times are now very firmly in the rear-view mirror for the Power.

However, Mirabella is conscious that the ultimate success may not come this year. “It can be a three, four, five, six-year journey,” Mirabella said.

No matter what happens on Sunday the Power can be proud of what they have achieved in this drought-breaking season.

After twenty years, they will finally be back where they want to be in the mix for a premiership.

Newcomb midfielder Logan Wagener has capped a remarkable 2026 campaign by claiming the Bellarine Football Netball League’s Les Ash Medal.

Wagener was awarded the Les Ash Medal for the Best and Fairest player in the competition after polling 31 votes in the count.

Wagener had a dominant season where he averaged over 37 disposals a game in the regular season with his strength around the contest on full display.

He racked up 15.8 contested possessions a game while also averaging 9.9 clearances to show he could distribute as well as win possession.

Wagener’s consistency was just as impressive as he was named in the best for Newcomb in every single game he played across the season.

The 2026 season marked a return of a favourite son for Wagener at Newcomb after he had played for the Power during 2019 and then 2021.

His latest stint at the Power has now seen him clock 43 games.

As a junior at Leopold, Wagener was highly regarded and played 26 games for the Geelong Falcons.

In his time at Leopold, Wagener played in three senior premierships which included a best-on ground performance in the 2023 grand final.

His football journey also took him to the second highest level of Australian Football with both the Gold Coast and Werribee in the VFL.

That experience proved invaluable as Wagener’s 2026 season came against the backdrop of Newcomb first finals series in almost two decades.

A comprehensive win against Barwon Heads in the elimination final showed the Power weren’t just there to make up the numbers in September but were there to perform.

Wagener was at the heart of that performance as he inspired Tony Mirabella’s side into the semi-final with 44 disposals.

You could be forgiven for thinking that Wagener’s output may have dropped the in finals after a long season performing so well.

That was not the case though as Wagener racked up 90 disposals over the course of the two finals.

In Newcomb’s 41-point semi-final loss to Geelong Ammo’s, Wagener tallied 46 disposals to go with a goal as he was named best on ground for the Power.

While it was a disappointing end to a successful season for the Power, Wagener’s contribution across the season left little to be desired.

From his supremacy around the contest to his remarkable consistency, Wagener proved himself one of the competition’s most influential players throughout 2026.

His return to Newcomb has delivered more than just a premiership push for the Power, it has produced one of the BFNL’s most memorable individual seasons in recent years.

And with the Les Ash Medal now added to his list of achievements, Wagener’s outstanding 2026 campaign has been deservedly recognised.

Les Ash Medal Leaderboard:

Full list of votes can be found here.

The Don Cole Medal saw a close count with the top honour awarded to Avery Knight of Modewarre with 15 votes.

Knight was named in the best eight times in his 13 games across the season.

Runner up to Knight was Torquay’s Chad Grossman who finished just behind on 14 votes.

Grossman’s 10 reserve games saw him named in the best seven times.

Third place on the podium was a 3-way tie between Troy Anderson of Modewarre, Cody Diana of Ammos and Hugh Mckay of Barwon Heads.

In Anderson’s first season with the club, he compiled 16 reserves games where he found himself in the best nine times.

Diana managed to find the goals 10 times in his 16 games to go with his 10 mentions in the bets.

McKay was named in the best eight times for the Seagulls in his 14 games across the season.

A full leaderboards can be found below.

Don Cole Medal Leaderboard:

Full list of votes can be found here.