GFNL

Swans take out remarkable Mathieson Medal double

South Barwon big men, Fraser Fort and Matt Caldow have tied in a Mathieson Medal coup for the Grand Finalists. It is second time in Mathieson Medal history that two players had tied for the award, with the other being in 1995 with North Shore Jason McGowan and Glenn Keast sharing a 4-way tie.

Fort held a two-vote lead over his teammate coming into the last round, with Caldow polling the two votes he required to tie the award.

In the A Grade Netball, St Joseph's goaler, Emma Buwalda held off last year's winner Ellen Doyle to win her first medal. Buwalda stormed home in the count to win by 7 votes. The count was a role reversal to 2022 where Doyle took out the medal with Buwalda finishing runner up.

The Jim and Bill Allthorpe medal was also a tie with Newtown & Chilwell's Archie Lazzaro and Leopold's Kyle Bumpstead taking home the medal.

The full list of award winners and full leaderboards can be found below.

Football

Blood Toyota Senior Cup

Mathieson Medal - Fraser Fort (South Barwon)

Mathieson Medal - Matt Caldow (South Barwon)

Geelong Advertiser Player of the Year Award - Ryan Abbott (Grovedale)

Leading Goal Kicker - Sam Dobson (St Mary's)

Rookie of The Year - Hunter Lewis (St Josephs)

K rock Player of the year - Paddy De Grandi (St Josephs)

Full Leaderboards

Buckley's Reserves Cup

Allthorpe Medal - Archie Lazzaro (Newtown & Chilwell)

Allthorpe Medal - Kyle Bumpstead (Leopold)

Leading Goal Kicker - Sam Hosking (St Mary's)

Full Leaderboards

Club Awards

Football Club Champion - St Marys

Overall Club Champion - Newtown & Chilwell

K rock Team of the Year

Backs

Jack Driver (South Barwon)

Jack Melican (Colac)

Tevan Nofi (Leopold)

Half Backs

Daniel Weigl (Lara)

Jarryn McCormack (Colac)

Alex Hickey (St Joseph's)

Centre

Bailey Scott (Colac)

Marcus Thompson (Leopold)

Darcy Lang (Colac)

Half Forwards

Mitch Chafer (Grovedale)

Matt Caldow (South Barwon)

Phillip Moimoi (GWG)

Forwards

Adam Garner (Colac)

Sam Dobson (St Mary's)

Paddy De Grandi (St Joseph's)

Rucks

Zachary Zdybel (Colac)

Jarryd Garner (St Marys)

Lachlan Patten (Bell Park)

Interchange

Fraser Fort (South Barwon)

Tanner Lovell (GWG)

Logan Wagener (Leopold)

Ryan Abbott (Grovedale)

Netball

GFNL A Grade Cup

Best & Fairest - Emma Buwalda (St Joseph's)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Ellen Doyle (South Barwon)

Hotshots - Ellen Doyle (South Barwon)

Full Leaderboards

Buckley's B Grade Cup

Best & Fairest - Ebony Coppock (Bell Park)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Monika Hammond (Colac)

Hotshots - Yolande Miller (South Barwon)

Full Leaderboards

Blood Toyota C Grade Cup

Best & Fairest - Abbey Chapman (GWG)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Candice Bull (Leopold)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Cassidy Moore (Newtown & Chilwell)

Hotshots - Candice Bull (Leopold)

Full Leaderboards

Epworth D Grade Cup

Best & Fairest - Sophie King (St Joseph's)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Jessica Geary (Newtown & Chilwell)

Hotshots - Tracey Hall (Lara)

Full Leaderboards

gforce E Grade Cup

Best & Fairest - Joanne Greagan (Lara)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Elsa Rauter (St Mary’s)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Peta Nicholls (Grovedale)

Hotshots - Peta Nicholls (Grovedale)

Full Leaderboards

Club Awards

Rookie of the Year - Chantelle Brundall (St Albans)

Netball Club Champion - South Barwon

Team of the Year

Goalers

Emma Buwalda (St Joseph's)

Ellen Doyle (South Barwon)

Uneeq Palavi (Newtown & Chilwell)

Mid Court

Elli Leydin (St Joseph's)

Zara Walters (Colac)

Alahria Smith (Geelong West Giants)

Kiahna Fallon (South Barwon)

Defenders

Brooke Allan (Colac)

Tori Honner (St Joseph's)

Indya Forde (Colac)

Coach

Courtney Cuolahan (Colac)

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!

White Card Policy | AFL Barwon

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.

View White Card Policy Here

What is the White Card Policy?

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.

Community-First Focus

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.

Latest News

Zdybel joins Benson | GFNL Geelong Advertiser Vote

Colac's Zachary Zdybel and St Mary's Harry Benson lead the 2024 Geelong Advertiser Coaches Player of the Year award.

Find out all the coaches votes from round 5 the Geelong Football Netball League.

Bell Park v St Joseph's

10 Oliver Northam (St Joseph's)

8 Jack Mullen (St Joseph's)

5 James Gow (St Joseph's)

5 James Hickey (St Joseph's)

1 Hunter Lewis (St Joseph's)

2 Ben Worme (Bell Park)

Colac v North Shore

10 Adam Garner (Colac)

4 Chaise Murray (Colac)

4 Jonathan Simpkin (Colac)

4 Zackary Zdybel (Colac)

3 Aaron Hawker (Colac)

3 Joel Cooper (Colac)

1 Kody Spokes (Colac)

1 Dustin Walters (Colac)

Leopold v Grovedale

9 Tom Feely (Leopold)

9 Tate Porter (Leopold)

4 Harrison Whyte (Grovedale)

3 Connor Giddings (Leopold)

2 Billy Ford (Grovedale)

2 Andrew Pepper (Leopold)

1 Harris Jennings (Leopold)

Newtown & Chilwell v Lara

10 Brayden Hocking (Newtown & Chilwell)

8 Will O'Dywer (Newtown & Chilwell)

4 Dylan Jose (Lara)

4 Luke Maddock (Newtown & Chilwell)

3 Charlie Harris (Newtown & Chilwell)

2 Connor Lineham-Cunning (Lara)

St Albans v Geelong West Giants

9 Emmanuel Ajang (Geelong West Giants)

7 Patrick Eastman (Bell Park)

5 Tanner Lovell (Geelong West Giants)

4 Lachlan Taylor (Geelong West Giants)

2 Max Kelly (Geelong West Giants)

1 Fletcher Keck (St Albans)

1 Ben Miller (St Albans)

St Mary's v South Barwon

5 Ben Kellett (South Barwon)

5 Harry Benson (St Mary's)

4 Patrick Kelly (South Barwon)

4 Nick Connors (St Marys)

3 Chris Hughes (South Barwon)

3 Todd White (South Barwon)

2 Tom Peirce (South Barwon)

2 Jarryd Garner (St Marys)

1 Zac Sherman (St Marys)

1 Matt Keast (St Marys)

Round 5 Leaderboard

23 Zachary Zdybel (Colac)

23 Harry Benson (St Mary's)

22 Tanner Lovell (Geelong West Giants)

21 Jack Sarcevic (Bell Park)

20 Flynn Young (Newtown & Chilwell)

19 Max McLachlan (St Josephs)

18 Luke Webb (St Josephs)

17 James Gow(St Josephs)

16 Trent Thompson (Leopold)

16 Oscar Morrison (St Josephs)

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: Newtown & Chilwell Flynn Young: Great Ocean Road Photography