GFNL Football Preview | Round 16
AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this weekend’s Senior Football matches in the Geelong Football Netball League.
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St Mary’s vs South Barwon
Anthony Costa Oval, 1:10PM, Saturday 16th August, 2025
Must win game for either club, St Mary’s returned to form with a prolific performance against Grovedale last weekend.
South Barwon, currently sitting half a game outside the five, continue to put pressure on Bell Park, a win for the Swans could shake up the ladder with only three games to spare.
Luke Rayner’s squad responded with 60 inside 50’s after having 45 the week prior, a figure he’ll be hoping to replicate this week. Jarryd Garner and Chris Jansen lead their squad, averaging 5.0 and 4.5 inside 50’s respectively.
The last three weeks, Mark Neeld’s men have averaged 60.7 turnovers per game, a statistic he would be pleased with, albeit finding ways to keep this number at a low figure. Doyle Madigan and Dylan Starkie lead their side, averaging 75.0 and 73.0 percent disposal efficiency.
Tune into AFL Barwon TV from 1.10pm on Saturday to watch live coverage of this big clash!
Colac vs Geelong West Giants
Central Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 16th August, 2025
After last weekend’s loss, Colac will want to come out with a point to prove. Currently sitting on the same points as St Mary’s for third position, banking wins in these last three weeks is crucial in terms of a top three spot come September.
Much like the Tigers, Geelong West Giants will also be looking to respond, after missed opportunities in front of goal cost them hopes of defeating St Albans last weekend.
Jason Armistead’s side average an elite 101.9 marks per game, however against Bell Park, they only totalled 75 marks for the game. A response in this area should hold the Tigers in good stead. Samuel Giblett and Jarryn McCormick average 6.6 and 6.3 marks per game respectively.
A strength of Greg Mellor’s squad is their ability to create overlap by hand, averaging 143.4 handballs per game, rating above average in the competition.
However, last weekend, they totalled 114 handballs for the entire game, well below their season average. A clean up in this figure could help put more speed on the ball for the Giants in attack. Prolific ball-winners, Ethan Liddle and Tanner Lewis average 13.3 and 11.9 handballs per game.
Grovedale vs Leopold
Burdoo Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 16th August, 2025
Grovedale will be looking to respond after a disappointing performance against St Mary’s. The reigning premiers are in a difficult predicament, currently sitting seventh, six points outside, fifth place Bell Park.
Leopold will need to win their final three games of the season to have any chance of a historic three-peat, with Bell Park their round 18 encounter, finals scenarios start to heat up. Back in round 8, the Lions were given a major scare in the final quarter against the Tigers, who are hungry for a late season scalp.
Grovedale has yet to surpass 100 handballs from their previous three games, Currently ranking below average in the competition, Jacob Spolding will be looking to add to this figure in hopes of some much-needed run and carry. Jak Tute figures to see plenty of the football, averaging 7.8 handballs per game.
Luke Kelly’s sides efficiency going inside 50 last week was at an incredible 74 percent efficiency, with 40 marks inside 50, from 61 entries. A figure close to this should have the Lions forwards licking their lips this weekend.
Connor Giddings and newly appointed Portarlington coach, Sam Scott lead their side, averaging 3.9 and 1.8 marks inside 50.
Lara vs St Joseph’s
Lara Recreation Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 16th August, 2025
After a late season bye, St Joseph’s should be fresh and ready to go against a Lara opponent, they have yet to face.
Currently sitting second on the ladder, by percentage to Newtown, Ron Watt will be hoping to put in a strong performance to gain important percentage that could come in handy for a week one finals bye.
The Cats currently average 36.6 clearances per game, ranking below average in the competition. Last week, they totalled 42 clearances, 17 of those centre clearances, a number Brett Henderson would be pleased with.
An emphasis on hunt and aggression for the Cats could spark the ball forward, Darby Henderson and Thomas Gunther lead their club, averaging 9.8 and 4.4 clearances per game.
St Joseph’s are currently averaging 105 marks over their last three games: they’re plus ten on their season average. A figure, Ron Watt would like to continue to hone in on with their quick ball movement supported by this.
Up and coming stars, Liam Kershaw and Joel Edwards, are both averaging 5.2 marks per game.
North Shore vs Bell Park
Windsor Park, 2:10PM, Saturday 16th August, 2025
In a must-win game against a strong opponent, Bell Park were able to come away with an important win. Currently sitting inside the five by two points, the Dragons need to continue winning games at all costs.
The last time both sides played each other back in round two, the Dragons were convincing winners. A lot will need to change for North Shore if they’re going to cause a major upset.
The Seagulls hunt around the contest has been below average this season, averaging 114.5 contested possessions per game.
An uptick in strength around stoppages for Mark Hounslow’s squad should provide optimism for this weekend and beyond. Bradlee Tregenza and Harry Purcell average 8.4 and 9.7 contested possessions per game respectively.
Bell Park’s pressure around the contest has been successful in forcing turnovers. The Dragons averaging an elite 52.5 effective tackles, last week they laid 77 tackles, 59 of those effective, a strength of James Saker’s squad could cause issues for North Shore.
Fraser Marris and Hamish Dawson lead their side, averaging 6.5 and 5.2 tackles per game respectively.
St Albans vs Newtown & Chilwell
St Albans Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 16th August, 2025
An important win for the direction of St Albans last week, defeating Geelong West Giants. Looking to sure up eighth position on the ladder, the highest they have finished since 2019 when they finished eighth on the ladder.
Last time both sides played each other, St Albans were right in the contest but faded late.
Steve Johnson’s squad will be looking to continue the ball rolling as they have their sights on a week one bye opportunity. Newtown currently ranks above average for inside 50’s, averaging 54.7 per game,
Mitchell Dodos and Connor Fopiani should be prevalent inside 50, averaging 2.6 and 2.4 marks inside 50, respectively.
Rick Munn’s side has averaged 71.6 turnovers per game, a pleasing number for the improved squad, while their last three weeks, they have bumped that number down to 68.3. Bailey Coutts leads his squad, averaging 74.0 percent, disposal efficiency.
