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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Drysdale vs Anglesea 

7 Nicholas Egan (Drysdale)

5 Luke Preece (Drysdale)

4 Christopher Tainton (Drysdale)

4 James Breust (Drysdale)

3 Lachlan Smith (Anglesea)

3 Jack Jenkins (Drysdale)

2 Cameron Delaney (Drysdale)

1 Will Batson (Anglesea)

1 Matt Piggott  (Drysdale)

Modewarre vs Queenscliff

8 Nat Matthews (Modewarre)

8 Josh Finch (Modewarre)

6 Matt McKim (Modewarre)

4 Caleb Whitley (Queenscliff)

2 Zac May (Modewarre)

1 Will Thrum (Modewarre)

1 Jonty Rush (Queenscliff)

Geelong Amateur vs Portarlington

9 Paddy Dowling (Geelong Amateur)

7 Blake Sutterby (Geelong Amateur)

5 Tom Zeitz (Geelong Amateur)

3 Brayden Poole (Portarlington)

3 Riley Ferguson (Geelong Amateur)

2 Cameron Lewis (Geelong Amateur)

1 Kelly Pickard (Portarlington)

Torquay vs Ocean Grove

9 Ben McNamara (Torquay)

6 Patrick Hughes (Torquay)

5 Jacob Talarico (Ocean Grove)

4 Matt Boag (Torquay)

3 Baxter Mensch (Torquay)

2 Max Hurley (Torquay)

1 Billy Henderson (Torquay)

Barwon Heads vs Newcomb

10 Cooper Ward (Barwon Heads)

7 Mason Andrews (Newcomb)

6 Riley Stuhldrier (Barwon Heads)

5 Luke Davis (Barwon Heads)

1 Charlie Harvey (Newcomb)

1 Michael Philp (Barwon Heads)

 Round 3 Leaderboard

19 Riley Ferguson (Geelong Amateur)

17 Patrick Dowling (Geelong Amateur)

14 Edward Dayman (Ocean Grove)

13 Blake Sutterby (Geelong Amateur)

13 Luke Davis (Barwon Heads)

12 Teia Miles (Portarlington)

12 Patrick Hughes (Torquay)

AFL Barwon has announced the introduction of an innovative White Card Policy aimed at enhancing the match day experience for all stakeholders. This comprehensive policy, developed in alignment with Rule 8 "Coaches" and 17.3 "Officials" of the AFL Barwon Handbook, is poised to play a pivotal role in fostering a safer, more inclusive, and positive environment within the sport.

The primary objective of the AFL Barwon White Card Policy is to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone involved in the game through the implementation of a structured approach to address unacceptable behaviour directed at umpires from the coaching box area.

At the heart of the policy lies a three-phase system designed to address instances of unacceptable behaviour promptly and effectively. This system provides field umpires with the necessary tools to intervene in real-time, with warnings (white cards) issued to offending coaches during the first two phases and escalating penalties for repeated infractions. The ultimate sanction, a red card resulting in ejection from the match, underscores the seriousness of any breaches of conduct.

Field umpires are empowered to implement the appropriate phase of the policy upon observing or hearing unacceptable behaviour from the coaching box area. Importantly, the process is characterised by clarity and decisiveness, with umpires instructed not to engage in conversation or debate during card issuance. By adhering to these procedures, AFL Barwon aims to maintain order and always uphold the integrity of the game.

Instances of white and red card issuance are recorded by timekeepers and documented in umpire match reports for further review if necessary. Cases involving breaches of the policy are subject to scrutiny by the Match Review Panel (MRP), ensuring that any disciplinary action taken is fair and consistent with the values of the organisation.

The AFL Barwon White Card Policy represents a significant step forward in promoting a culture of respect toward players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, and spectators of community football. In addition to addressing behaviour within the coaching box area, the policy also emphasises the responsibility of clubs to address spectator conduct. By holding clubs accountable for the actions of their supporters, AFL Barwon seeks to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all attendees.

As AFL Barwon prepares to roll out the policy for the 2024 season and beyond, stakeholders can anticipate a renewed focus on ensuring that every match is conducted in a manner that reflects the values of fairness, integrity, and camaraderie that define the sport.