GFNL Grand Final | South Barwon win U18 Div 1 Gforce Cup

South Barwon are the 2025 Under 18 Division 1 gforce Cup premiers after a dominant 77-point victory against Ocean Grove at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.

First Quarter

The opening term set the tone for a fiercely contested Grand Final. South Barwon’s relentless pressure paid off as they hit the scoreboard four times, highlighted by Zach Stevens’ classy goal from just inside the 50-metre arc.

Up forward, Oscar Denny was a constant threat, creating repeat opportunities for the Swans.

For Ocean Grove, Edward Clark provided a strong aerial presence, clunking several key marks and finishing with a crucial goal to keep the Grubbers in touch.

Second Quarter

South Barwon came out firing after the break. A bone-rattling tackle in the centre square by ruckman Tyla Hanscomb sparked a brilliant running goal from Jai Hobson, setting the crowd alight.

Moments later, Jaxon Elzinga lifted the intensity with a fierce tackle in front of the home fans, while Zach Stevens showcased his class again, selling some candy and finishing truly for his second major to stretch the margin to 20 points.

The Swans’ dominance continued when Patrick Shirlow added another, putting Ocean Grove under serious pressure.

The Grubbers struggled to find clean entries inside 50, with captain Taj Hinkley and Damien Hewson repeatedly intercepting and repelling attacks for the Swans.

But the tide began to turn late in the quarter. At the 14-minute mark, Byron Hansford soared for a strong contested grab and converted to cut the margin to 32 points. Just two minutes later, Fraser Stow added another, giving Ocean Grove back-to-back goals for the first time, reducing the deficit to 26 points.

The Grubbers’ faithful roared to life, sensing a possible momentum shift heading into the main break.

Third Quarter

South Barwon picked up exactly where they left off.

Samuel Meaney opened the second half with a miraculous dribbling goal from deep in the pocket, sparking immediate celebrations.

Soon after, Patrick Shirlow narrowly missed a chance to add to the lead and push the margin to a game high 37 points.

Ocean Grove briefly steadied as Zach Casamento announced himself with a strong contested mark, but the Swans’ midfield class kept the game on their terms.

Zach Stevens continued to dominate through the middle, highlighted by a pinpoint pass inside 50 to Patrick Shirlow, who slotted his second major to push the margin out to a game-high 39 points midway through the premiership quarter.

The Grubbers tried to inject some life through Lenny Honner’s pace along the wing, but South Barwon’s pressure was relentless.

At the 13-minute mark, Jaxon Elzinga produced one of the moments of the day—winning a crucial two-on-one contest and finishing superbly from outside 50 on his non-preferred foot—lifting the Swans’ lead to 45 points.

Sensing the kill, South Barwon kept coming.

Samuel Meaney capitalised on the momentum, slotting his second and then his third goal with a classy late snap, stretching the margin to a commanding 57 points by three-quarter time.

With South Barwon in full control, Ocean Grove faced a near-impossible task, needing a final-quarter masterclass to turn the tide.

Fourth Quarter

South Barwon put the finishing touches on a dominant performance with another powerful display in the last term.

Jai Hobson opened proceedings perfectly, nailing a tough set shot from the pocket to extend the Swans’ advantage.

Ocean Grove responded almost immediately, a dribbling goal giving the Grubbers’ faithful a brief spark of hope. But any chance of a comeback was quickly extinguished.

At the six-minute mark, Zach Stevens—outstanding all day—slotted his third goal from 35 metres directly in front, celebrating in style as the margin ballooned again.

From there the Swans turned the final quarter into a celebration.

Vice-captain Jai Natonewski joined the scorers with a strong finish, before Ocean Grove’s Zach Casamento delivered a long-range highlight of his own, drilling a massive set shot from outside 50 to briefly reduce the deficit to 64 points.

South Barwon, however, refused to take the foot off the pedal.

Blake Boreham danced past defenders in the goal square for a classy snap, and Damien Hewson followed up with a composed left-foot finish from the forward pocket to delight the Swans’ supporters.

Ocean Grove’s Lenny Honner added a late goal, but it was little more than consolation.

Defender Taj Burgoyne continued to battle bravely for the Grubbers, his spoiling and tackling a rare highlight in a tough afternoon.

Fittingly, ruckman Tyla Hanscomb capped the day with a goal after the final siren as celebrations erupted.

South Barwon proved far too strong in the key moments and across the ground, running out 77-point winners to claim a commanding U18s premiership triumph.

Final Score

South Barwon 18.10 (118) defeated Ocean Grove 6.5 (41)