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GFNL Football Preview | Grand Final

This Friday, two powerhouse clubs of the Geelong Football Netball League will go head-to-head in a blockbuster Grand Final with St. Joseph’s taking on St. Mary’s.

In what shapes as another classic chapter in their storied rivalry.

For St. Joseph’s, the stakes are clear – they’re chasing a fifth premiership in their clubs history and their first since 2018.

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Fittingly, that 2018 triumph came against none other than St. Mary’s, capping off back-to-back flags after also defeating the Saints in 2017.

Now, after several seasons on the hunt, Joeys have the chance to write another golden page into their history books and re-establish themselves as the competition’s top dog.

Captain Alex Hickey is looking to create history at the club with a record fourth premiership, the skipper is raring for his sides hopes this Friday.

“[We’re] calm, focused and ready to get down to business on Friday”.

“We’ve really hit our form coming into the backend of the year, are really confident we have a really healthy list”.

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On the other side, St. Mary’s enter the Grand Final with the confidence and experience that comes with success.

The Saints are aiming to secure a seventh premiership, a mark that would further cement their reputation as one of the GFNL’s most decorated clubs.

Their most recent taste of glory came in 2022, when they powered past Leopold to lift the cup, and they’ll be desperate to add another to their already impressive collection.

Both sides boast plenty of star power, depth across the ground, and big-game performers who thrive under pressure.

Saints skipper Brayden Ham is confident his sides lead up will hold them in good stead for Friday.

“We’re very confident, we’ve had a different sort of lead up to what St Joeys have had, but we’re very confident for what Friday beholds”.

With the added spice of their rich finals history against one another, this clash has all the makings of a thrilling and fiercely contested battle.

Will it be St Joseph’s breaking through for their first flag in seven years, or St Mary’s extending their dynasty with premiership number seven?

Fans won’t want to miss a second when the first bounce comes this Friday.

Previous Results

Round 6 – St Joseph’s 16.15 111 v St Mary’s 16.10 106

Round 12 – St Mary’s 14.7 91 v St Joseph’s 6.7 43

Match Details

Start Time Grand Final Competition
9.15am Under 18 Division 1 gforce Cup
South Barwon vs Ocean Grove
11.30am Reserves Buckleys Cup
Newtown vs St Marys
2.10pm Seniors Blood Toyota Cup
St Josephs vs St Marys

LOCATION

GMHBA Stadium

TICKETS

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GFNL Netball Preview | Grand Final

This is a truly fascinating Grand Final rematch, and one loaded with storylines.

Newtown come in chasing back-to-back premierships and are looking to add a historic ninth premiership to their already incredible trophy cabinet.

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In what can continue an incredible dynasty run in GFNL netball. Newtown will leave no stone unturned.

For St Joseph’s, this is redemption: they fell agonisingly short last year and haven’t tasted premiership success since 2008.

A win on Friday will break a long-awaited drought for St Joeys faithful and erase last season’s heartbreak.

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St Joseph’s will come in with confidence after claiming a vital win over Newtown (46 to 41) in their Qualifying Final clash.

St Joseph’s captain, Tori Honner is feeling all the emotions of Grand Final week as her side embarks on a historic premiership.

“Feeling really excited, sort of taking it week by week, and now that it’s actually here, obviously a bit of nerves, but I think we’re just really excited and ready to give it another crack”. 

“I think the way, that we have been playing, we’ve meshed together really well, the back half of the season, if we can play our  best, I think we should have the confidence to go out there and win”.

Newtown, meanwhile, have had to regroup and bounce back — their finals pathway has demanded resilience and adaptation.

Newtown captain, Vanessa Augustini remains excited by the opportunity with a host of stars returning throughout their finals campaign in what could be pivotal for their hopes of adding to their history.

“Excited, we had the opportunity to build last week, and our team is coming into form again which is really nice”.

“The eleventh straight Grand Final, that’s just exciting in itself, but to get the win would be the icing on the cake”.

Will it be redemption day for St Joseph’s?

Or will Newtown’s experience prevail as they look to add a ninth premiership?

 

Previous Results

Round 0 – Newtown 43 v St Joseph’s 41

Round 7 – St Joseph’s 44 v Newtown 33

Qualifying Final 2 – St Joseph’s 46 v Newtown 41

Match Details

Start Time Grand Final Competition
8am Brazillian Butterfly Cup 13/U Div 1 grand final
Bell Park v South Barwon   
8am The Athlete’s Foot Cup 13/U Div 2 grand final
Bell Park v South Barwon    
9.15am Brazilian Butterfly 15/U Div 2
St Marys vs Bell Park
9.15am Grill’d Cup 15/U Div 1
Bell Park vs South Barwon
10.30am Kempe 17/U Div 1
Geelong West vs South Barwon
10.30am Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong Cup D Grade
St Josephs vs South Barwon
11.45am P&R Foods Cup 17/U Div 2
St Josephs vs South Barwon
11.45am Town and Country Pizza Cup C grade
St Marys vs South Barwon
1.05pm gforce 19 /U & Buckleys B Grade
Newtown & Chilwell   v South Barwon   
1.05pm Buckleys B Grade Cup Grand Final
South Barwon v St Mary’s    
2.10pm Epworth Cup E grade – court 7
Grovedale v Leopold    
3.10pm Blood Toyota A Grade
St Josephs vs Newtown & Chilwell

TICKETS

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HOW TO WATCH

Watch: AFL Barwon TV

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GFNL Football Preview | Preliminary Final

AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this Saturday's GFNL Senior Football Preliminary Final.

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Preliminary Final - Colac vs St Mary's

The stage is set for a blockbuster preliminary final as St Mary’s and Colac prepare to reignite a fierce finals rivalry with everything on the line — a place in the 2025 GFNL Grand Final beckons against the waiting St Joseph’s.

These two clubs have history, and it runs deep.

The last time they clashed in a final was the 2019 Grand Final, a heart-stopper remembered for Nick Connors’ unforgettable match-winning goal that sealed a famous win for St Mary’s.

Since then, both sides have taken different paths, but their hunger for success remains undiminished.

The Saints have been a dominant force in recent years, lifting their most recent premiership cup in 2022. With finals experience, and a game style built for September football, St Mary’s will lean on its experienced midfield brigade to shoulder the load.

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For Colac, the hunger is real.

Their last premiership came back in 2014, and after a strong 2025 campaign, they’ve shown they’re not just here to make up the numbers. Their run to the prelim has been built on grit, pressure, and a spread of contributors across the park.

This is a side with something to prove — and perhaps a score to settle after the heartbreak of 2019. Expect them to bring relentless pressure and look to catch St Mary’s off guard early.

Another chapter to be added to an already historic rivalry.

 

Last time they met

Round 8 – Colac 19.8 122 v St Mary’s 10.10 70

 

Match Details

Date: Saturday 20th September

Location: West Oval Reserve

Time: 2:10pm

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GFNL Netball Preview | Preliminary Final

AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews Saturday's GFNL A Grade Netball preliminary final, where the winner will advance to this year's Grand Final.

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Preliminary Final - Newtown & Chilwell vs Geelong West Giants

The stakes couldn’t be higher as Geelong West Giants and Newtown face off in a thrilling preliminary final showdown — with a coveted spot in the 2025 GFNL Grand Final up for grabs.

The Giants are no stranger to upsets after last week’s incredible second quarter performance against South Barwon catapulted them into a preliminary final.

The Giants are hungry for more with a similar performance against the reigning premier, not out of the equation.

Since rebranding as the Giants, this is their first-ever chance to reach a Grand Final, and they’ll be desperate to seize the opportunity.

Geelong West’s rise has been built on a strong team culture, fast-paced ball movement, and a defensive unit that thrives under pressure.

With momentum on their side, the Giants are a team that believes — and belief might be their most powerful weapon.

What more can you say about Newtown?

They’re the powerhouse of the competition for a reason.

Aiming to reach an astonishing 11th consecutive Grand Final, dating all the way back to 2013. Finals footy is in their DNA.

With a core of experienced and composed leaders, Newtown knows exactly what it takes to win in September.

Their ball control, disciplined structures, and ability to stay calm under pressure make them a massive threat — and favourites on paper.

Awaiting the winner is a Grand Final against St Joseph’s which will be an epic test.

 

Previous Results

Round 3 - Newtown 68 v Geelong West Giants 44

Round 10 - Geelong West Giants 37 v Newtown 67

 

Match Details

Date: Saturday 20 September

Location: West Oval Reserve

Time: 2:30pm

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BFNL Football Preview | Grand Final

AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this weekend’s Senior Football Grand Final in the Bellarine Football Netball League between Geelong Amateur and Anglesea.

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Geelong Amateur vs Anglesea

The stage is set for a blockbuster Grand Final in the Bellarine Football Netball League this weekend, as Geelong Amateur take on a surging Anglesea outfit with everything to play for.

After a season of highs, challenges, and momentum swings, two of the competition’s most passionate clubs will battle it out for premiership glory – with plenty of history on the line.

For Anglesea, this Grand Final means more than just silverware – it’s a chance to break a 26-year premiership drought, with their last senior flag coming way back in 1999.

The Roos have the backing of their hometown, Co-Captain, Jack Walters has emphasised the support from the Anglesea community,

“Anglesea being a small town, we’ve got the whole community behind us so it’s a really exciting time.”

Geelong Amateur are no strangers to the big stage. The Ammos are chasing their sixth BFNL premiership, having last tasted glory in 2016 after a golden run of flags in 2014 and 2015.

They’ve been the league’s benchmark side this year, earning direct passage to the Grand Final with a strong performance against Torquay.

Playing two games in a month, Ammos Captain, Harry Kershaw is confident his squad will be ready for the first bounce,

“We are really excited and nice and well-rested. We obviously haven’t played a lot of football in the last month but really excited and keen to get out there.”  

Both Captains emphasised adapting to the pressure of the weekend.

Walters mentioned, “It’s going to be super-important to bring the heat early, and I think pressure will be the main thing that will (go toward) winning the game for us”.

Kershaw stated, “Finals footy (is important) because it’s obviously going to be a contested game of footy, so it starts in the contest (for us).”

Both sides played back in Round 9 most recently, with Ammos coming out on top.

Will the minor premiers be too strong?

Or will the Roos wave of momentum continue for one last dance?

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Previous Results

Round 2 – Geelong Amateur 17.10 112 v Anglesea 13.9 87

Round 9 – Geelong Amateur 15.7 97 v Anglesea 12.11 83

Match Details

Date: Saturday 13 September

Location: Grinter Reserve

Time: 2:00pm

 

How To Watch

AFL Barwon TV will exclusively live stream the Grand Final.

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