GFNL Football Preview | Round 18

29 August 2025

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.