Match Previews

Finals have arrived for the Geelong Football Netball League and AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews the two big games to kick off Senior Football fixtures in September.

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Qualifying Final - Newtown & Chilwell vs Colac

This clash isn't just another finals game — it’s layered with history, heartbreak, and hope.

Colac hasn’t featured in a grand final since 2019, and they’re desperate to return to the big stage.

With a powerful, hard-running side and finals experience in their core, the Tigers are looking to make a definitive statement that they’re back in contention.

Newtown are chasing something much bigger; a premiership drought that dates all the way back to 1986.

This is the start of what they hope is a finals campaign to remember — and with club legend and former AFL star Steve Johnson at the helm, belief is high that 2025 could finally be the year.

Back in Round Nine both sides faced in a finals like preview, the result will still be fresh in the minds of both camps,

With Colac hungry for revenge after letting one slip.

A win for either side sets up a show-down against St Joseph’s.

Last time they met
Round 9 – Colac 12.12 (84) defeated by Newtown 14.11 (95)

Match Details
Date: Saturday 6th September
Location: West Oval Reserve
Time: 2:10pm

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Elimination Final - St Mary's vs Bell Park

 With no second chances, it’s all or nothing for St Mary’s and Bell Park in this cutthroat elimination final.

Both clubs know exactly what’s on the line — a loss ends the season, while a win keeps the long road to the Grand Final alive.

After a strong middle stretch of the season, Bell Park finds themselves in September with renewed belief.

Their most defining moment, a thumping 73-point win over St Mary’s in Round 14, a game where they dismantled the Saints with pace, pressure and scoreboard dominance.

That result gives them plenty of confidence heading into this weekend — but finals football is a different beast.

The Saints have tasted recent success in 2022 and want to be back in the spotlight.

Despite some inconsistency this year, they’ve got finals experience in spades and know how to rise when it matters most.

They’ll be stung by that Round 14 embarrassment — and you can bet they’ve been waiting for a chance to make things right.

Get the popcorn ready.

Last time they met
Round 14 – Bell Park 21.7 (133) defeated St Marys 8.12 (60)

 Match Details
Date: Sunday 7 September
Location: West Oval Reserve
Time: 2:10pm

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Watch: AFL Barwon TV
Listen: K rock Football

AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this weekend’s Senior Football matches in the Bellarine Football Netball League.

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Geelong Amateur vs Torquay

Top of the table clash between Geelong Amateur and Torquay this weekend, as both clubs vie for a spot in the Grand Final.

Geelong Amateur is come in fresh after a surprising Round 18 defeat to Newcomb, finishing as Minor Premiers.

They should enter the game with plenty of confidence, nonetheless, following a season showcased by their consistency, finishing the home and away season with fifteen wins, and three losses.

One of their losses, coming in Round 16 against their opponent this weekend, the reigning premiers who are full of momentum after piling on a big score against Queenscliff last weekend.

Torquay are on the verge of a fifth consecutive Grand Final appearance with a win this weekend.

Both sides have split the ledger this season, with Ammos defeated Torquay back in round one.

Previous Outings
RD1  Geelong Amateurs 15.15 (105) v Torquay 8.14 (62)
RD16  Geelong Amateurs 9.9 (63) v Torquay 16.16 (112)

Match Details
Date: Saturday 30^th August
Location: Portarlington Recreation Reserve
Time 2:10pm

Tickets available here

Coverage
Tune into AFL Barwon TV from 2pm on Saturday to watch live coverage of this big clash! 

Follow aflbarwon on Instagram and Facebook or visit aflbarwon.com.au for the latest news and results.

Queenscliff vs Anglesea

It’s do or die for Queenscliff and Anglesea who have unfinished business to attend to.

Only a fortnight ago both sides played in a controversial draw that may have one final twist.

The Coutas season has been represented by their vast improvement against contending sides, which should have fans confident of their chances.

Queenscliff this season has the head-to-head record over Anglesea, defeating the Roos back in round ten.

Could we see Anglesea take advantage of their late-season resurgence and continue their winning ways after Queenscliff were given a reality check by the reigning premiers.

The Roos are on the rise to making back-to-back Grand Final appearances, as they look to achieve a historic Premiership, 26 years in the making.

Previous Outings
RD 10  Queenscliff 15.19 109 v 8.5 53 Anglesea
RD 18  Queenscliff 11.15 81 v 12.9 81 Anglesea

Match Details
Date: Sunday 31^st August
Location: Portarlington Recreation Reserve
Time 2:10pm

Tickets available here

Coverage
Tune into AFL Barwon TV from 2pm on Sunday to watch live coverage of this big clash! 

Follow aflbarwon on Instagram and Facebook or visit aflbarwon.com.au for the latest news and results.

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AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this weekend’s A Grade Netball matches in the Bellarine Football Netball League.

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Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove

Grand Final rematch to book one of two spots into the Grand Final.

Geelong Amateurs are fresh and raring to go as they embark on a tenth consecutive Grand Final appearance.

The Minor Premiers come in, full of confidence, currently on an eleven-game win streak.

One of those wins coming against the reigning premier.

The minor premier’s solitary loss of the season came from the Grubbers back in round seven.

With the ledger split between the two, expect tensions to flare in high pressure situations.

The Grubbers are looking to make it three consecutive premierships after coming short in 2022.

Previous Outings
RD 7 Geelong Amateur 35 v Ocean Grove 51
RD 17 Geelong Amateur 48 v Ocean Grove 46

Match Details
Date: Saturday 30th August
Location: Portarlington Recreation Reserve
Time 2:30pm

Tickets available here

Coverage
Tune into AFL Barwon TV from 2.30pm on Saturday to watch live coverage of this big clash! 

Follow aflbarwon on Instagram and Facebook or visit aflbarwon.com.au for the latest news and results.

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Queenscliff vs Torquay

The season is on the line for both clubs, with a preliminary final at stake.

Queenscliff will be looking to respond after a disappointing final quarter cost themselves a chance to defeat the reigning premier.

The Coutas will bring plenty of confidence from that performance and match-up well against Torquay, having won their two home-and-away encounters, most recently in Round 17.

The Tigers took care of business against Newcomb as they look to make their first grand final appearance since 2019.

Torquay’s last month has them well prepared, having played all finals sides prior to this weekend.

Both sides have a wealth of finals experience, this time last year, both clubs played each other in a semi-final with Torquay coming out on top.

Previous Outings
RD8 Queenscliff 60 v Torquay 50
RD17 Queenscliff 52 v Torquay 43

Match Details
Date: Sunday 31^st August
Location: Portarlington Recreation Reserve
Time 2:30pm

Tickets available here

Coverage
Tune into AFL Barwon TV from 2.30pm on Sunday to watch live coverage of this big clash! 

Follow aflbarwon on Instagram and Facebook or visit aflbarwon.com.au for the latest news and results.

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As we head into the final round of the GFNL Senior Football home and away competition, AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence provides an insight into the different scenarios facing the teams in contention to secure a finals berth.

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1. Newtown & Chilwell (14-3, 217.19%)

Opponent: St Mary’s

• ✅ Win → Finish 1st (Minor Premiers) and get the week one bye.
• ❌ Lose, but St Joseph’s also lose → Still Minor Premiers.
• ❌ Lose, and St Joseph’s win → Drop to 2nd and face St Mary’s again in a Qualifying Final, most likely.

2. St Joseph's (14-3, 180.10%)

Opponent: Geelong West Giants

• ✅ Win, and Newtown lose → Finish 1st (Minor Premiers).
• ❌ Lose → Still finish top two and play in Qualifying Final next week.

3. St Mary's (12-5, 198.35%)

Opponent: Newtown & Chilwell

• ✅ Win → Finals spot confirmed.
• If Colac lose → St Mary’s play in Qualifying Final.
• If Colac win → Likely still a Qualifying Final vs Newtown, unless Colac can make up a 3.4% difference.
• ❌ Lose →
• If Colac, Bell Park AND South Barwon all lose → Still make Qualifying Final vs St Joseph’s.
• If any one of Colac, Bell Park or South Barwon lose → Likely finish 5th, play Elimination Final.
• If all three win → Miss finals completely.

4. Colac (12-5, 194.95%)

Opponent: Grovedale

• ✅ Win → Finals secured.
• If St Mary’s lose → Colac plays in Qualifying Final vs St Joseph’s.
• If St Mary’s win → Colac needs to make up 3.4% to jump into the top 3.
• ❌ Lose →
• If any of St Mary’s, Bell Park or South Barwon lose → Colac still makes finals.
• If all three win → Miss finals.

5. Bell Park (12-5, 184.89%)

Opponent: Leopold

• ✅ Win → Finals spot locked in, most likely play Elimination Final.
• If Colac and St Mary’s both lose → Bell Park can jump into the top 3 and play a Qualifying Final vs St Joseph’s.
• ❌ Lose →
• Needs any one of St Mary’s, Colac or South Barwon to lose to stay in finals.
• If St Mary’s, Colac and South Barwon win, miss finals.

6. South Barwon (11-5-1, 217.19%)

Opponent: St Albans

• ✅ Win →
• Needs one of St Mary’s, Colac, or Bell Park to lose to make the top five.
• If all three lose → Could jump to 3rd and play Qualifying Final vs St Joseph’s.
• ➖ Draw →
• Needs Bell Park to lose to sneak into 5th (currently lead them on % by 0.56).
• ❌ Lose → Miss finals.