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MEDIA RELEASE - 2023 Dow Bellarine Football Netball League Fixture Released

AFL Barwon is excited to announce the Dow Bellarine Football Netball League fixture for the 2023 season.

The 2023 season kicks off on April 1st with repeats of both last season’s A-Grade and Senior Football Preliminary Finals. Torquay host Ocean Grove in the twilight timeslot, while Drysdale takes on Barwon Heads at Mortimer Reserve.

The Round 2 Easter fixtures has two games on Good Friday with Queenscliff heading to Torquay and Modewarre hosting Geelong Amateurs.

Other key fixture highlights include:

  • Round 4 – Traditional ANZAC Day fixture between Drysdale & Portarlington.
  • Round 4 – Ocean Grove host Geelong Amateurs in a repeat of the 2022 A-Grade Grand Finalists.
  • Round 5 - Torquay take on 2022 Senior Premiers Barwon Heads.
  • Round 6 – First edition of the “Battle of the Bridge” for 2023 with Round 13 hosting the return fixture.

The full 2023 Dow Bellarine Football Netball League season fixture can be found HERE.

The 2023 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League and Colac & District Football Netball League fixtures will be released over the next two weeks.

Modewarre champion reaches 300 matches

Born and bred in Moriac, Modewarre champion Josh Finch first began playing for the club when he was just seven years old. He went on to play senior football at the premature age of 17 and was made vice-captain of the team 5 years later, where in which he had an eight-year reign.

Despite plans to make the jump to the victorious South Barwon in 2014 during a time when Modewarre were looking to finish low on the ladder, Finch is forever grateful that his loyalty won when a friend encouraged him not to “jump on a train that is already full steam ahead” and to stay at Modewarre and really make a difference. Finch and his team went on to win a premiership only a few years later. Now aged 36, he has remained a one-club player for his entire football career, celebrating his 300th game this weekend.

Former long-serving Modewarre Club President Michael Fitzgerald describes Finch as a player that is “a true student of the game” and has always been driven to improve. Explaining that he prepares, plays, and recovers more professionally than any country league player that he has come across, Fitzgerald says that there has “never been a lightbulb moment that transformed Josh, he just simply has worked tirelessly to better himself”.

Finch has not only been a captain and a coach during his time at Modewarre but has also always shown interest in the junior selection of the club, including the last 3 years as Auskick coach. To go with his four Les Ash Medal and nine club Best and Fairest awards, Finch has represented Vic Country three times and was part of the BFNL Interleague program on seven occasions. Fitzgerald believes that Finch’s glowing record “speaks for itself, he is simply the best. He has been the most loyal player of not only Modewarre, but of the league in its history.” Solidifying himself as arguably one of the best players to have competed in the BFNL, Finch was also ranked fourth in the 2021 Geelong Advertiser’s “Best 50 Players in the 50 Years of the Bellarine FNL”.

After winning the 2016 Les Ash Medal, Finch acknowledged the achievement as something he will “look back on once his footy career is finished”. He expressed that “there are so many great players in this competition [the BFNL]” and that some of them will never even win an Ash Medal. This emphasises Finch’s understanding of the significance of these awards when it comes to individual success as a community footballer. 

Finch’s long-time friend and teammate, John Meesen, provided AFL Barwon with an insight into Finch’s early days as a Bellarine footballer. Meesen and Finch played all their junior football together but went their separate ways during senior football, where Meesen spent time in the AFL system. When discussing Finch’s early career, Meesen noted that his rise as a Bellarine FNL star only started in his late teens. Explaining that “he wasn’t an elite junior or anything”, Meesen marked Finch's turning point as when he “decided to get super fit around 17-18" and “really began excelling”. This method of hard work combined with desire that Finch began to develop in his late teens became a trademark of his career success. Meesen believes that “what separates him is that desire to get the very best of himself” and that Finch would be the “first to say he got where he is now through hard work and determination rather than God-given talent”.

Meesen ultimately coached Modewarre to Senior Football success when they won the 2018 Bellarine FNL Premiership. Despite always remaining incredibly humble, Meesen expressed that team success has always remained at the forefront for Finch and that the achievement in 2018 was “pretty special for everyone, but none more than him”.

Although Finch’s success is attributed to his immense hard work determination, it also couldn’t have been done without the unwavering support of his children and wife Emma, who also happens to be a talented netballer at Modewarre that Finch met in his teens. The success of the Finch family at Modewarre is something that may not ever be seen again in community sport and is widely admired by the Bellarine FNL community.

Congratulations Josh Finch on an outstanding 300 games!

 

No photo description available.

 

Authors: Cam Sheehan & Sean Atkinson

Sources:

Michael Fitzgerald, Modewarre Football Netball Former Club President (Interview)

John Meesen, Modewarre Football Netball Club Former Player & Coach (Interview)

Ratcliffe, D. (2019) BFL 2019: Modewarre champ Josh Finch looks back on stellar career, Geelong Advertiser.

Netball Victoria Umpire Workshops and Development Opportunities

Please see below the list of upcoming umpire workshops and development opportunities that Netball Victoria are running in our region.

 

MENTOR WORKSHOP

Focuses on the mentor/mentee relationship and responsibilities, constructive feedback skills, the do’s and don’ts of mentoring, and expectations of beginner umpires.

Sunday 29 January

Kardinia Park, Geelong

5:00pm-7:00pm

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

YOUR DECISION COUNTS

Covers topics such as Contact vs Contest, Obstruction and Advantage, bio-mechanics, and how positioning and vision effect decision making.

Friday 3 February

5:15pm-7:15pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

INTRODUCTION TO UMPIRING

Learn the basic characteristics of becoming an umpire, using your whistle and hand signals effectively, infringements and sanctions, and positioning on the court.

Wednesday 1 March

4:45pm-6:45pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

MENTOR WORKSHOP

Focuses on the mentor/mentee relationship and responsibilities, constructive feedback skills, the do’s and don’ts of mentoring, and expectations of beginner umpires.

Wednesday 8 March

6:00pm-8:00pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

MENTOR WORKSHOP

Focuses on the mentor/mentee relationship and responsibilities, constructive feedback skills, the do’s and don’ts of mentoring, and expectations of beginner umpires.

Friday 31 March

6:00pm-8:00pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

INTRODUCTION TO UMPIRING

Learn the basic characteristics of becoming an umpire, using your whistle and hand signals effectively, infringements and sanctions, and positioning on the court.

Wednesday 5 April

4:45pm-6:45pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

Save the dates – confirmation and registration links available soon.

Game and Match Management - Geelong, Friday 5 May

Game and Match Management - Colac, Tuesday 9 May

Netball Victoria Upcoming Development Coaching Course

Please see below upcoming date for Development Coaching Course being ran in our region. 

DEVELOPMENT COACHING ACCREDITATION COURSE – Practical Component

Saturday 18 February

Wurdi Baierr Stadium, Torquay
12:30pm-5pm

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#148

 

This course has pre-requisites and more detail can be found https://vic.netball.com.au/how-become-coach-accreditation

Use this link to assist in finding the course to register: https://support.netball.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/4408375692825-Enrolling-in-a-Course-or-Accreditation

Pickard scores perfect game | Round 11 BFNL Geelong Advertiser Coaches Votes

Portarlington's Kelly Pickard continued his outstanding form this season with a 10-vote game in the Demon's third win. The yoyo at the top between Geelong Amateurs teammates, Riley Ferguson & Patrick Dowling continued with Ferguson moving back to the top of the leaderboard.

The votes from Round 11 and the overall leaderboard can be found below.

Round 11

Anglesea v Barwon Heads

8 Jack Rice (Anglesea)

7 Noah Collins (Anglesea)

4 Noah McGregor-Dawson (Anglesea)

4 Kallum Hinchcliffe (Barwon Heads)

3 Ryley Stuhldreier (Barwon Heads)

2 James Syddall (Barwon Heads)

2 Will Batson (Anglesea)

Drysdale v Torquay

9 Oscar Lewis (Torquay)

8 Ben McNamara (Torquay)

4 Jack Thompson (Torquay)

3 Jesse Dawson (Torquay)

3 Sheldon Ham (Torquay)

2 Jack Jenkins (Drysdale)

1 Charlie Ham (Torquay)

Geelong Amateur v Modewarre

9 Riley Ferguson (Geelong Amateur)

5 Michael Harper (Modewarre)

4 Oscar Cooke (Modewarre)

4 Samuel Bain (Geelong Amateur)

3 Harry Kershaw (Geelong Amateur)

3 Matt Farrelly (Modewarre)

1 Tom Zeitz (Geelong Amateur)

1 Tom Hornsey (Modewarre) 

Newcomb v Portarlington

10 Kelly Pickard (Portarlington)

4 Mitchell Turbull (Portarlington)

4 Max Ruiter (Portarlington)

3 Jude Poyser (Newcomb)

3 Jack Duke (Newcomb)

2 Jarrad Stafford (Newcomb)

2 Daniel Riosa (Portarlington)

1 Teia Miles (Portarlington)

1 Dylan O’Brien (Portarlington)

Queenscliff v Ocean Grove

7 Zac Henderson (Queenscliff)

6 Benjamin Bennett (Ocean Grove)

5 Brady Pritchard (Ocean Grove)

4 Max Sutton (Ocean Grove)

3 Glenn Campbell (Ocean Grove)

2 Lachie Kidd (Queenscliff)

2 Che Durran (Queenscliff)

1 Jye Walker (Ocean Grove)

 Round 11 Leaderboard

57 Riley Ferguson (Geelong Amateur)

50 Patrick Dowling (Geelong Amateur)

41 Matthew Boag (Torquay)

41 Ryley Stuhldreier (Barwon Heads)

40 Luke Preece (Drysdale)

40 Blake Sutterby (Geelong Amateur)

39 Kelly Pickard (Portarlington)

The Geelong Advertiser Coaches Player of the Year is an award voted by each Senior coach on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home and away game, acknowledging outstanding effort by an individual player in a season.

There are individual awards for the Bellarine FNL Seniors, Geelong FNL Seniors, and the Division 1 Senior Female Football competitions.

Latest News

SEN Geelong to broadcast the Bellarine Senior Football Grand Final

AFL Barwon is thrilled to announce a landmark partnership with Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) to broadcast the 2024 Dow Bellarine Football Netball League Senior Football Grand Final live from Leopold Memorial Park. This exciting collaboration marks a significant moment for local football, offering unprecedented exposure and coverage for one of the most popular days on the AFL Barwon calendar.

Securing SEN, a leading voice in sports broadcasting across Australia, to call the Bellarine FNL Senior Grand Final is a huge coup for the entire AFL Barwon region. The live broadcast will bring the atmosphere and intensity of the day and will showcase the exceptional talent and community connections that defines the Bellarine FNL.

AFL Barwon Regional General Manager, Edward Wilson, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, "This is a monumental step forward for our league and community. Having SEN on board to broadcast the Senior Male Football Grand Final, not only elevates the status of this League and the BFNL Clubs, but also recognises the strength that our region presents across the state of Victoria".

Sam Thompson, Group Radio Director, Sports Entertainment Network said “We are excited to strengthen our partnership with AFL Barwon for the BFNL Grand Final 2024. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to bringing premier sports coverage to local communities. Through SEN’s extensive network of regional stations and digital platforms, we are committed to delivering comprehensive and engaging content that brings the excitement of the BFNL Grand Final to fans everywhere. Partnering with AFL Barwon allows us to elevate the game-day experience for all, whether they are in the stands or following the action from afar.”

Listeners will be able to tune in via SEN Geelong station on SEN’s iPhone and Android app with the simulcast and live stream of the match being available on AFL Barwon TV. This will allow the 2024 Dow Bellarine FNL Senior Grand Final reach greater audiences.

AFL Barwon is proud to bring this exceptional coverage to the wider community and looks forward to a thrilling Grand Final event at Leopold, made even more special by SEN’s involvement.

 

To download the SEN App, simply click on the relevant app store

Download the iOS app - https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/sen-1116/id1147923999?mt=8

Download the Android app - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.deepend.sen&hl=en

Latest News

Smith, Dowling and Fennell secure maximum votes | BFNL Round 6 Coaches Votes

There were three perfect games according to the Bellarine coaches this week with Lachlan Smith, Ben Fennell and Patrick Dowling also securing 10 votes. 
 
Dowling's 10 votes keeps him at the top of the leader board as a third of the season passes in the BFNL.
 

Check out all the coaches votes from Round 6 the Bellarine Football Netball League.

Barwon Heads v Portarlington

5 Tom Swift (Barwon Heads)

5 Luke Davis (Barwon Heads)

4 Ryley Stuhldreier (Barwon Heads)

4 Teia Miles (Portarlington)

3 Reid Adams (Barwon Heads)

3 James Syddall (Barwon Heads)

2 Charlie Perks (Barwon Heads)

2 Dylan O’Brien (Portarlington)

1 Archie Hildebrandt (Barwon Heads)

1 Charlie Hurst (Barwon Heads)

Drysdale v Queenscliff

10 Ben Fennell (Drysdale)

8 Luke Preece (Drysdale)

4 Flynn Chirgwin (Drysdale)

4 Jack Preece (Drysdale)

3 Jordan McGivor Clark (Queenscliff)

1 Caleb Whitley (Queenscliff)

Geelong Amateur v Ocean Grove

10 Patrick Dowling (Geelong Amateur)

8 Riley Ferguson (Geelong Amateur)

3 Max Sutton (Ocean Grove)

3 Tom Zeitz (Geelong Amateur)

3 Blake Sutterby (Geelong Amateur)

2 Tom Gribble (Geelong Amateur)

1 Brady Pritchard (Ocean Grove)

Newcomb v Anglesea

10 Lachlan Smith (Anglesea)

7 Jordan Keras (Anglesea)

4 Jack Rice (Anglesea)

4 James Carr (Anglesea)

3 Ryan Jackman (Newcomb)

2 Peter Gordon (Newcomb)

Torquay v Modewarre

8 Sheldon Ham (Torquay)

7 Oscar Lewis (Torquay)

5 Matt Farrelly (Modewarre)

4 Matt Boag (Torquay)

2 Baxter Anderson (Modewarre)

2 Weylin Doyle (Torquay)

1 Tom Grace (Torquay)

1 Baxter Mensch (Torquay)

Round 6 Leaderboard

37 Patrick Dowling (Geelong Amateur)

32 Riley Ferguson (Geelong Amateur)

31 Luke Preece (Drysdale)

27 Blake Sutterby (Geelong Amateur)

26 Matthew Boag (Torquay)

20 Ryley Stuhldreier (Barwon Heads)

The Geelong Advertiser Coaches Player of the Year is an award voted by each Senior coach on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home and away game, acknowledging outstanding effort by an individual player in a season.

There are individual awards for the Bellarine FNL Seniors, Geelong FNL Seniors, and the Division 1 Senior Female Football competitions.

Latest News

Suns to enter BFNL Junior Netball teams in 2025

AFL Barwon are excited to announce that the Surf Coast Football Netball Club will be participating in the Bellarine FNL Netball 13&Under Division 1, 15&Under Division 1, 17&Under Division 1, and 19&Under competitions in 2025.

Following proactive and collaborative conversations by Newcomb Football Netball Club, they had indicated to AFL Barwon that they would not be able to field teams in these competitions in the 2025 winter season. This has therefore provided Surf Coast FNC with the opportunity to allow their players to be part of these junior netball competitions a season earlier then their full club introduction in 2026.

Please note that all games in this competition involving Surf Coast FNC will be aligned to the Newcomb FNC BFNL home and away fixture in 2025.

This is great outcome for all players in these competitions as it allows teams to play 2 additional matches where a bye would have been scheduled. This also maximises the home game fixtures for clubs excluding gaps in the day’s fixtures.

The 2025 Dow Bellarine FNL season fixtures on PlayHQ will reflect this upon their completion.

AFL Barwon extends its gratitude to Newcomb FNC and Surf Coast FNC, for being proactive in their respective involvements and contributions in this outcome.

Latest News

Surf Coast FNC Bellarine FNL Application Outcome

The AFL Barwon Commission issues this release, to provide an update on the status of Surf Coast FNC’s application to join the Bellarine FNL.

Surf Coast FNC’s application for entry in 2026 has been ratified by the AFL Barwon Commission.

This update comes following significant deliberation between AFL Barwon and the Surf Coast FNC, assessing their application for entry into the Bellarine FNL.

This review has taken place through several face-to-face engagements, in-line with League Entry criteria, including but not limited to:

  1. Facilities;
  2. Financials;
  3. Participation; and
  4. Club Development.

In addition to these engagements, the Commission have conversed in depth with Surf Coast FNC to understand in appropriate context:

  1. Surf Coast FNC’s Strategic Plan for the future, to support their growth and sustainability;
  2. How Surf Coast FNC’s Male Football & Netball programs will expand to encompass Senior disciplines; and
  3. How Surf Coast FNC plan to become a viable Club within to the Bellarine FNL, providing mutual benefits to the Bellarine FNL with their inclusion.

As part of this process, the AFL Barwon Commission have been steadfast in ensuring all Bellarine FNL Clubs have been provided the opportunity to be consulted and engaged, as part of this process. A meeting with Club representatives on 22 April 2024, as well as last night (29 May 2024), has provided these opportunities, in addition to the AFLB Future of Football & Netball Project works that commenced in September 2023.

Following last night’s (29 May 2024) meeting with Bellarine FNL Club representatives, the AFL Barwon Commission convened a Special Commission Meeting to review the final discussions with the Bellarine FNL Club representatives, and come to a decision on Surf Coast FNC’s application to the Bellarine FNL.

The AFL Barwon Commission during this special meeting, passed a motion unanimously in favour of accepting Surf Coast FNC’s application into the Bellarine FNL, for 2026.

This decision marks a significant moment for both the Bellarine FNL, and the Surf Coast FNC. With a total participant base across Male Football & Netball programs exceeding 400, an U18 Male Football side and several years of top-age Netballers’ participation restricted, this decision provides Surf Coast FNC a platform for the future, and will contribute significantly to the future success of the Bellarine FNL.

AFL Barwon extends its gratitude to all Bellarine FNL Clubs and the Surf Coast FNC, for their respective involvements and contributions to this process.

Latest News

Ten Goal Joseph earns perfect game | Round 8 BFNL Coaches Votes

Modewarre forward Connor Joseph's 10 goal game earnt him the the 10 coaches votes in Round 8.

Geelong Amateurs midfielders continue to lead the award with 4 players on the leaderboard. Riley Ferguson leads on 45 votes, with his teammate Paddy Dowling now 5 votes behind him.

Check out all the coaches votes from Round 8 of the Bellarine Football Netball League.

Anglesea vs Geelong Amateur 

5 Jordan Keras (Anglesea)

5 Tom Gribble (Geelong Amateur)

4 Harrison Veale (Anglesea)

4 Daniel Grose (Geelong Amateur)

4 Riley Ferguson (Geelong Amateur)

3 Dylan Pettingill (Anglesea)

2 Tom Couch (Anglesea)

2 Harrison Orr (Geelong Amateur)

1 Jackson Williams (Geelong Amateur)

Barwon Heads vs Queenscliff

8 Luke Davis (Barwon Heads)

7 Angus Ford (Barwon Heads)

5 Max Scott (Queenscliff)

4 Kyle Polley (Barwon Heads)

4 Lachlan Wilson (Barwon Heads)

1 James Syddall (Barwon Heads)

1 Harry Gower (Queenscliff)

Modewarre vs Newcomb

10 Connor Joseph (Modewarre)

6 Josh Finch (club)

4 Oscar Cooke (club)

3 Matt McKim (club)

3 Matthew Farrelly (club)

3 Fin Anscome (Newcomb)

1 Ryan Jackman (Newcomb)

Ocean Grove vs Drysdale

9 Ben Fennell (Drysdale)

9 Luke Preece (Drysdale)

3 Matt Piggott (Drysdale)

3 Jacob Talarico (Ocean Grove)

3 Josh Lange (Ocean Grove)

2 Jacob Talarico (Ocean Grove)

1 Jack Jenkins (Drysdale)

Portarlington vs Torquay

8 Will Tamassy (Torquay)

5 James Goatz (Portarlington)

5 Matt Boag (Torquay)

4 Teia Miles (Portarlington)

3 Baxter Mensch (Torquay)

3 Nathan Mifsud (Torquay)

1 Dylan O’Brien (Portarlington)

1 Tom Hooper (Torquay)

 Round 8 Leaderboard

45 Riley Ferguson (Geelong Amateur)

40 Patrick Dowling (Geelong Amateur)

40 Luke Preece (Drysdale)

27 Blake Sutterby (Geelong Amateur)

26 Ryley Stuhldreier (Barwon Heads)

The Geelong Advertiser Coaches Player of the Year is an award voted by each Senior coach on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home and away game, acknowledging outstanding effort by an individual player in a season.

There are individual awards for the Bellarine FNL Seniors, Geelong FNL Seniors, and the Division 1 Senior Female Football competitions.

Photo: South Barwon vs Colac: Pixled Sports Media

Latest News

Thank you Steve Keating

AFL Barwon would like to thank Steve Keating for his many years of dedicated service to AFL Umpiring in our Region. 

 

A message from Jock Hillgrove, AFL Barwon Regional Director of Umpiring:

Steve leaves us to take up an exciting Umpire opportunity with our neighbours at the WRFL, a role I know Steve will hit the ground running with and make a positive footprint to their competitions. Steve is a big loss to us at AFL Barwon and Geelong Umpiring; however, he is a true friend and won’t be a stranger to us I’m sure.

I have been lucky enough to have worked with Steve from 2009 through to today in different capacities. Steve was DOU at Geelong Umpires back in 2009 when I returned as an assistant field coach and has ever since been a confidant, mentor and friend. He is always someone I lean on for advice and with his positive and supporting outlook certainly bodes well for any coaching role he has had. 

I was fortunate enough to start my full time umpiring career in Canberra 2010 and not long after Steve achieved the role as NSW State Umpiring talent Manager bringing us back together in a working relationship as he steered the NEAFL and AFL Umpires (NSW) on their pathways. When I returned to Geelong and the role of Regional Director of Umpiring for AFL Barwon, I was so pleased to have Steve available and return in 2016 to AFL Barwon as Head Field Umpire Coach (Geelong) which he has held till this season.

Steve has been an absolute champion of umpiring to many aspiring umpires and for those that have been around for a while, he has progressed many umpires in their umpiring development whether they be new or experienced. His open engaging style fits so well with our umpiring fraternity in what can be a very challenging environment from time to time. Steve has not only dedicated his time locally, but is still heavily involved at State League level and the various Talent programs.

 

Thank you Steve, as well as your wife Andrea and the girls to allow us to be part of your journey so far. From all of us at AFL Barwon, Geelong Umpires and our clubs, it has been a job well done and we wish you the best of luck in the future!