May 24th Preview: The Grand Final rematch highlights Indigenous Round matches
AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this weekends men's football matches accross the Geelong and Belarine FNL competitions.
Geelong Football Netball League
Bell Park vs Geelong West Giants
Hi Sushi Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 24th May, 2025
Both sides come into the match with a 2-3 record, and an opportunity to push their way into the top 5 with a win.
Bell Park came in with a strong performance against Lara, where they were victors by 142 points.
The Giants will be hoping to respond after they were gallant in defeat against South Barwon in tricky conditions.
For the Dragons major ball winners, Fraser Marris, Isaac Wareham and Jeff Bermingham will be very important at the weekend.
For the Giants, Ethan Liddle, who’s averaging 31.5 disposals, and Finley O’Keefe averaging 115.5 ranking points will both have a say in the result of the game.
Geelong West Giant’s Guernsey will be on display with Indigenous Round covering this week’s round. Ethan Liddle has designed the jumper within the middle of G, an emphasis on the Geelong West community, coaches, members, filtered down to those running water.
Colac Tigers vs Lara
Australian Lamb Company Stadium, 2:10PM, Saturday 24th May, 2025
Colac will be looking to respond after a hard-fought loss against ladder leader St Joseph’s. Lara is looking for their first win of the season and will be playing with plenty of emotion.
Colac’s experienced heads will be hoping to take control in the midfield and cement a position in the top 5, Colac currently holds a 3-2 win-loss record.
Colac’s wide variety of goal scorers, Darcy Lang, Jonathan Simpkin and Luke Hillman all who have kicked eight goals or more will be dangerous inside 50.
Lara’s own Darby Henderson should have a major influence in the game averaging an extraordinary 49.6 disposals per game, while averaging just under 10 marks per game. The Cats will be looking to him through the midfield.
Newtown & Chilwell vs St Albans
Jardon Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 24th May, 2025
The towners are eyeing a 4th consecutive win against the surprise team of the GFL competition in the Saints.
The towners have taken multiple large scalps over the past few weeks and will be looking to consolidate themselves at the top of the table.
Albeit, the Saints have made tremendous improvements over the first quarter of the season and will also be looking to prove to the competition they’re a threat against the top of the table sides.
Newtown’s Connor Fopiani will be dangerous up forward having kicked 15 goals in six games, with a bag of eight against Grovedale last week.
St Alban’s own Tom Higgins is leading the way with 19 goals in five games posing a threat for Newtown’s defense.
Newtown’s football and netball will be wearing their indigenous jumpers from 2022, in celebration of the community coming together through sport, paying homage to the first nations people.
North Shore vs Grovedale
Windsor Park, 2:10PM, Saturday 24th May, 2025
Grovedale will be looking to respond after a tough loss against Newtown and showcase their forward brigade against a Seagulls outfit who’re in a development phase.
North Shore, however, can jump Lara with a win against the Tigers and be on the same win-loss ratio as the Tigers.
Seagulls skipper Jacob Sammut-Mijevic will be important around the ground in nullifying his opponents as well as Connor Walmsley, averaging 33 disposals per game, with 6 of those intercept possessions.
Grovedale’s Ryan Abbott has had a red-hot start to his campaign averaging a whopping 144 ranking points and should have an influence on the game, as well as William Ford and Harrison Whyte, who are both averaging over 20 disposals per game.
North Shore’s netball sides will run out with their own indigenous dress, designed by L Kailee Kennedy, the artwork tells a story of the turtle’s journey by water to the sands of the traditional lands of the first nation people.
South Barwon vs Leopold
McDonald Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 24th May, 2025
One of the matches of the round, the Swans will be looking at 3 wins in a row and an opportunity to consolidate their place in the top 5.
The reigning premiers need a response, sitting eighth on the ladder with a 2-3 win-loss record and staring at a 3rd straight loss, we expect plenty of fireworks to be held at this game.
South Barwon’s star forward Fraser Fort, averaging 3.4 goals per game could give headaches to Leopold’s defense.
Leopold’s on-ball brigade could dictate the outcome of the game with Marcus Thompson, Logan Wagener and Brock Williamson all averaging over 26 disposals per game.
South Barwon will be wearing their indigenous jumper in both football and netball. Both designs were centered around the club’s traditional colors and integrating the light blue into a sign to the rich history of the club transferring from the Barwon Football Club.
Bellarine Football Netball League
Drysdale vs Torquay
Mortimer Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 24th May, 2025
Drysdale were given an almighty scare against improving squad, Newcomb Power, and will need to vastly improve against a tiger’s outfit looking to make it five wins in a row after their defeat to the Power in round 2.
The Hawks will need to put speed on the ball out of the back half of the ground with Jack Jenkins averaging 7.3 rebound 50’s per game proving a vital cog of their team.
Star midfielder James Boag should have a major influence for the Tigers through the midfield averaging 27.2 disposals per game.
Drysdale football squad will be wearing their indigenous guernsey, with the boomerang demonstrating the strength of the club’s junior program, and progression to the senior level.
Torquay’s Female Football squad will be wearing their own indigenous jumper. The front of the jumper displays a large circle in the middle, representing the meeting place of the club they call home, Spring Creek Recreational Reserve.
Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove
KFC Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 24th May, 2025
The ladder leaders were given their first loss of the season in a tight tussle against the youthful Coutas and are looking to bounce back against a young developing Grubbers side.
After a week off for the BFNL competition, don’t be surprised if the Grubbers come out firing early.
Ammos will look to experienced trio Blake Sutterby, Tom Gribble and Tom Zeitz through the midfield, all are which averaging 25 disposals or more.
Important figures, Joseph McDonald and Joshua Lange for the Grubbers will be relied upon through the midfield and Lange with his team involvement, averaging just under 15 per game.
Geelong Amateurs Female Football Program will be wearing artist, Hayley Bohme’s designed indigenous Guernsey. The figure in the middle of the jumper represents warriors with an ochre marking. The five dots on the forehead represent the Kulin Nations, the middle being Wathawurrung Community.
Modewarre vs Barwon Heads
Community Bank Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 24th May, 2025
Both sides come in with decent form lines, in which shapes as an intriguing fixture for Indigenous round.
The Warriors couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities against the reigning premier and require a win to stay in the hunt for a top five spot, sitting at eight, on a win-loss record of 2-4.
The Seagulls have come close against some of the premier clubs at the top of the table in the first quarter of the season.
With a host of new personnel over the past couple of seasons, the Gulls have been building their chemistry, and a win against the Warriors should give the BFNL community a reminder of the strength of their side.
Modewarre’s forwards will need to be firing with Scott Morter averaging 2.8 goals per game and Tom Hornsey averaging 4 goals in 3 games.
Barwon Heads will look to star recruit, Damian McMahon who is averaging 33.3 disposals per game, and returning star Zach Walter through the midfield and off half back.
The Seagulls will also be represented by, artist, Rhys Jeffs indigenous Guernsey. The artwork tells the story of the Barwon River, and the significance of flowing through the stunning landscapes of the Wadawurrung Community.
Queenscliff vs Portalington
Queenscliff Recreation Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 24th May, 2025
Coming off one of the biggest wins in the club’s history, some might say the Coutas would’ve preferred to continue playing through the bye. Looking to three wins in a row, the Coutas can establish themselves as a major threat to the competition.
With Coutas young star, Lachie Kidd has continued his form from last year, averaging 28 disposals per game and can open a game up with his disposal.
However, Portalington I’m sure have plenty to say about this game, and their form line reads quite well. They were less than a kick away from defeating third placed, Anglesea, and were right in both Torquay and Drysdale’s games until falling away in the second half.
A consistent four quarter effort could prove to be a danger game for the Coutas.
Former Hawthorn player, Teia Miles, will create plenty of opportunities around the ground with his ability to win the football in the midfield and back half, and push forward and kick goals. Showcased with averages of 2.7 goals per game, from a tick over 29 disposals per game.
Both Portalington’s football and netball program will be running out with, artist, Chris Delamont’s design of their indigenous Guernsey/dress. Bunjil the tailed Eagle is looking over the Portalington Football Netball Club in recognition of their welcoming club, and its place as creator spirit for the Wadawurrung community.
Newcomb vs Anglesea
PlasterCom Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 24th May, 2025
Football can be a long week. In this case two weeks for the Newcomb Power Football Club, after a heartbreaking loss to Drysdale.
Tony Mirabella’s outfit will be hoping to give another major scare to the competition in a sign, they’re ready to push for finals with vast improvements over the first six rounds of action.
Anglesea will be looking for three wins in a row, and to continue their strong hold on top three credentials.
The Roo’s took bragging rights over the Power last year, which shapes as an eye-catching game for the competition.
Newcomb’s new look forward line has provided optimism with young key forward Jacob Watson averaging 2.5 goals per game and star recruit Dion Johnstone averaging just under a goal per game.
Expect Roos gun, Jordan Keras to have lots of the footy on the weekend, averaging 30.7 disposals per game, as well as defender Noah McGregor-Dawson who leads the side in intercept marks and possessions.
Anglesea’s Female Football Squad will be representing, artist, Donna Conley’s design of their indigenous jumper. The design is painted with gratitude and love in celebration of Indigenous round 2023. The Artwork has an original depiction of a Kangaroo at its Centre to honor the Clubs history and icon.
The Netball Squads will also be representing artists, Maddy Allardyce and Corrina Eccles design of their indigenous skirt. The Gathering circles showcased in the waves represent the Wadawurrung people.
