This year saw record numbers trial for our eight AFL Barwon teams across Bellarine FNL and Geelong FNL, with one 13&U team, two 15&U teams, and one 17&U team in each league.

Congratulations to all athletes, coaches, and umpires for their dedication and achievements, making this a standout year for AFL Barwon.

Three coaches from the program have outlined the highlights of their experiences, with all results listed below. 

GFNL 15&U Championship Recap

Author: Jill Leader (Coach)

The GFNL 15&U team went through the Barwon Junior Competition undefeated. We had a very talented group of players who were all extremely versatile and we made the most of the time we had together. We developed strong connections on and off the court and I was honoured to be part of such a special group of players.  

The highlight of our season was when Bellarine pushed us into on overtime game for the Grand Final.  The girls were able to call on those connections and get the job done, finally winning after a tense and exciting match. 

The Association Championships was a challenge for us, having to replace our starting GD a week before the tournament and having no practice time, but again the girls faced the challenge with gusto.  We played really well against the top teams, just falling short and showed that the experience will be incredible for all the players. 

We had 6 of our girls Talent Identified and I’m so excited to see all the players develop over the next couple of seasons. 

GFNL 15&U Reserve Recap

Author: Jade Bartz (Coach)

Coming into this program for the very first time, has been one of the best experiences. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this team become very close, very quickly and this bond only grew stronger throughout the season. They motivated each other and every game, training session and the Association Championship’s displayed the closeness.  

Coaching these girls was a privilege and was something I looked forward to every week. They never failed to put a smile on my face, and we were guaranteed to have a laugh. From the first game it was clear this team had depth, it didn’t matter who was on the court, they looked like they had been playing together for years. It was amazing to see their netball knowledge expand over the season. 

These girls made it to the semi-finals of the Monday night competition and despite not making the Association Championship finals, displayed a team brand of netball, every single game. I am beyond proud of these girls and being able to form strong bonds with them all. I absolutely hope to do this again next year! 

This program is nothing but positive and uplifting for their netball journeys and an opportunity to grow at a coaching level. 

GFNL 17&U Recap

Author: Lisa Van Halen (Coach)

What an enjoyable and successful BJNC season for the U17’s GFL rep side. We started the season strong playing Colac and Bellarine in the first 2 rounds, coming away with strong wins. After round 3, we only had one more win for the season and finished 3rd on the ladder. We had a few injuries and illnesses throughout the remainder of the season and did not play with our whole team again until the first final. It was great to see the girls come together and win the 1st final against Bellarine and make it into the Grand Final. Going into the Grand Final we did not win against GDFL Raiders, who finished top of the ladder undefeated. The Grand Final was close all game, but we came away with the win!!! The Premiership was ours!! 

What a big day it was at Associate Champs on Sunday 25th May. Our first of 9 games was at 9am. We won 4 games against some strong and talented teams for the day. The team showed their skills and talent and came close to winning a few games against the top sides. 

It has been enjoyable and rewarding to coach all 11 girls and watch them develop as individuals and as a team over the 4-month season/program. 

Three teams from each league competed in the Barwon Junior Netball Championships, a competition entered into by representative teams in the region. This competition helps our players, coaches and umpires develop their skills against the very best in the region. All six teams made finals for this competition with some hard-fought battles during the final’s series, including extra time. We had 4 teams make the Grand Finals with the Geelong FNL 15&U and 17&U teams both taking out the Championship.

Our two 15&U reserves teams competed in GCNA’s Monday Night Junior competition. This competition is an open junior competition, with our teams graded in the highest division, often playing against older opposition. Both teams had amazing seasons, playing against each other in the first round of finals, before Bellarine FNL continued to play in the grand final. 

All eight representative teams took part at Association Championships this year, with some tough battles against strong teams throughout the day. Congratulations to our BFNL 15&U Reserves team for making it to the first round of finals. We were fortunate to have 12 athletes’ talent identified in the 15&U age group and invited to trial for the 2024 Talent Academy later this year. Eight umpires also officiated for Association Championships with multiple officiating Finals and invited to the junior umpire program. 

Congratulations to all athletes and coaches involved in this program, as well as the umpires who represented the Leagues. 

This year AFL Barwon also took an inaugural All Abilities team to compete in Association Championships. Congratulations to the players that were selected from each club. It was a fantastic day for the team, with some very competitive games. The team made it through to finals, taking out third place in a down to the wire match. Everyone loved it and we will certainly continue this into the future.

The AFL Barwon Commission and Staff send their condolences to the family and friends of Bill Brebner who passed yesterday at the age of 72. 

Bill had a significant influence on the local football community through involvements as President at of the South Barwon Football Netball Club, VCFL West Coast Regional Manager, Buckleys Chair and he served on the AFL Barwon Match Review Panel.

Bill spent 3 years as President of the South Barwon Football Netball Club from 1997 until 1999, which was a critical period of time for the club. He was recognised for his service at the club with a Life Membership.

He was part of the Buckleys Entertainment Centre Board where for 26 years, with several as the Chair. Bill was a strong advocate for giving back to the Football and Netball clubs across the Region and was a regular representative at AFL Barwon Functions and Grand Final Events.

Bill was a respected member of the Match Review Panel until recently, where his health forced him to resign.

A celebration of his life will be held at Buckleys on Friday, July 12, at 1pm.

The AFL Barwon Commission has released the venues for the 2024 Finals Series across our affiliated competitions.

This year's selection process for hosting venues was carried out by the AFL Barwon Staff and Commission. All AFL Barwon clubs were invited to express their interest in hosting, ensuring a diverse and inclusive selection. This opportunity allows clubs to highlight their club and showcase their dedicated volunteers and club facilities.

The 2024 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League Grand Finals as previously announced, will be played at GMHBA Stadium and the Kardinia Park Netball Complex. After the success of the 2023 finals series, the initial three weeks of the Geelong FNL Finals will again be held at West Oval.

For the first time in Bellarine Football Netball League history, the 2024 Grand Final matches will be held outside of a current BFNL venue, with Leopold Memorial Reserve being selected to host the last two weekends of the Dow Bellarine Football Netball League Finals Series. The success of the 2023 Geelong Football Netball League Finals being held at Leopold provides a blueprint for an outstanding spectacle in 2024. Portarlington Recreation Reserve will continue to host the first two weeks of the BFNL Finals.

The details on all other competitions can be found below:

• The Under 18 finals will be aligned to the Senior Leagues as per previous seasons. Division 1 Under 18 will be played at the GFNL Finals venues, Division 2 Under 18 at the BFNL Finals venues, Division 3 Under 18 at the GDFNL Finals venues, and Division 4 is TBC at this stage.
• The 2024 Kardinia Park Stadium Trust All Abilities Football Netball League Finals Series will be played across separate days for Football and Netball. The two-week Netball Finals will be played at Kardinia Park Netball Precinct with the Football Grand Finals played at Grinter Reserve.
• The 2024 Epworth Female Football Senior and Junior Finals venues will be announced over the coming weeks.
• The 2024 Kempe AFL Barwon Junior Football Finals venues will be announced over the coming weeks.
• The 2024 Kempe AFL Barwon Junior Netball Finals Series will all be played at Kardinia Park Netball Precinct on Friday, August 23.

AFL Barwon Regional General Manager, Edward Wilson expresses that “AFL Barwon is enthused by the on-court and on-field action that has transpired so far in 2024, and the Finals Series is shaping up to be exceptional, thanks to the generous and committed support of affiliated Clubs, in hosting Geelong FNL, Bellarine FNL, Junior Male (TBA), Female Football Finals (TBA) and All Abilities FNL Finals. These Finals promote local Clubs and the communities in which they represent, and we encourage all members of the community to be part of these celebrations, in concluding the 2024 Football & Netball seasons”.

All venues are subject to continual review to ensure the safety of participants is at the forefront of all decisions.

The full schedule of finals dates and venues can be found below. 

2024 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League Finals Series

Week 1 – West Oval

Saturday, September 7 - Qualifying Finals

Sunday, September 8 - Elimination Finals

Week 2 – West Oval

Saturday, September 14 - Second Semi Finals

Sunday, September 15 - First Semi Finals 

Week 3 – West Oval

Saturday, September 21 - Preliminary Finals

Week 4 – GHMBA Stadium

Friday, September 27 - Grand Finals

2024 Dow Bellarine Football Netball League Finals Series

Week 1 – Portarlington Recreation Reserve

Saturday, August 17- Qualifying Finals

Sunday, August 18 - Elimination Finals

Week 2 – Portarlington Recreation Reserve

Saturday, August 24 - Second Semi Finals

Sunday, August 25 - First Semi Finals

Week 3 – Leopold Memorial Reserve

Saturday, August 31 - Preliminary Finals

Week 4 - Leopold Memorial Reserve

Saturday, September 7 - Grand Finals

Kempe AFL Barwon Junior Netball Finals Series

Week 1 - Kardinia Park Netball Precinct 

Friday, August 23 - Semi Finals

Week 2 - Kardinia Park Netball Precinct 

Friday, August 30 - Preliminary Finals

Week 3 – Kardinia Park Netball Precinct 

Friday, September 6 - Grand Finals

 Kardinia Park Stadium Trust All Abilities Football Netball League Finals Series

Week 1 – Kardinia Park Netball Precinct (NETBALL ONLY)

Tuesday, August 6 - Preliminary Finals

Week 2 – Kardinia Park Netball Precinct (NETBALL ONLY)

Tuesday, August 13 - Grand Finals

Week 1 – Grinter Reserve (FOOTBALL ONLY)

Saturday, August 17 - Grand Finals

2024 Colac RSL Colac & District Football Netball League Finals Series

Week 1 – Central Reserve

Saturday, August 31- Qualifying Finals

Sunday, September 1 - Elimination Finals

Week 2 – Central Reserve

Saturday, September 7 - Second Semi Finals

Sunday, September 8 - First Semi Finals

Week 3 – Central Reserve

Saturday, September 14 - Preliminary Finals

Week 4 - Central Reserve

Saturday, September 21 - Grand Finals

Article header image by Great Ocean Photography.

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