Dow Bellarine Football Netball League Finals Series Venues Announced

AFL Barwon is excited to announce that Newcomb and Portarlington will be the two venues hosting the Dow Bellarine Football Netball League Finals Series in 2023.

All clubs were given the opportunity to submit applications to host finals earlier this year, with the AFL Barwon Commission deciding that after successful 2022 events at both venues, it would replicate the schedule for the 2023 Dow BFNL Finals Series.

The schedule sees Weeks 1 and 2 of the Finals being played at Portarlington Recreation Reserve with the Preliminary Finals and Grand Finals being held at Grinter Reserve.

AFL Barwon Region General Manager, Edward Wilson believed last year’s finals had laid the platform for 2023 to be a huge success. Stating that “We’re fortunate to continue our partnership with both Portarlington FNC & Newcomb FNC in hosting the final four weekends of the 2023 DOW Bellarine FNL season," Wilson believes that both clubs "showcased excellence in hosting the 2022 Finals and are deserving hosts, to build on last year’s success, with community engagement above expectation”.

Newcomb Football Netball Club President, Matt Farrow was proud that their club was given the chance to host again after last year’s successful event. Farrow explained that the club is "extremely proud to host the final two weeks of the Bellarine FNL Finals Series once again. We have worked hard as a club to create a facility that has the ability and capacity to host such events. All we now hope for is great weather to build on what we will be successful finals series for the competing clubs.”

Portarlington Football Netball Club President Steve Cogger expressed his excitement for his club to get another chance to showcase their facilities by saying that it "represents another opportunity for Portarlington FNC, and its community to promote itself in the arena of regional sport. Our town is growing and with that comes the responsibility of local sporting clubs to provide facilities, equipment, coaching and mentoring to an inclusive community." Cogger also emphasised that Portarlington FNC’s "investment in their club will be on display to demonstrate that we are a club worthwhile of any person seeking to be a part of a club that will celebrate 150 years of age in 2024”.

The full schedule for the Dow Bellarine Football Netball League Finals Series is as follows:

Week 1 – Portarlington Recreation Reserve

Saturday, August 19

Qualifying Finals

Sunday, August 20

Elimination Finals

Week 2 – Portarlington Recreation Reserve

Saturday, August 26

Second Semi Finals

Sunday, August 27

First Semi Finals

Week 3 - Grinter Reserve

Saturday, September 2

Preliminary Finals

Week 4 - Grinter Reserve

Saturday, September 9

Grand Finals