June 21st Preview: Nail-biter weekend of footy
AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this weekend’s men's football matches across the Geelong and Bellarine FNL competitions.
Geelong Football Netball League
Bell Park vs St Joseph’s
Hamlyn Park, 2:10PM, Saturday 21st June, 2025
Both sides played each other in round three with St Joseph’s victors, Bell Park is looking to change the ledger with a fifth consecutive victory on the cards.
A win against the premiership favourite could catapult their season as we reach the halfway mark.
James Saker’s on-ball brigade will be heavily relied upon against a strong midfield opponent, gun midfielders Jett Bermingham and Fraser Marris should garner plenty of attention averaging over 25 disposals respectively.
Ron Watt’s kick-mark brand of footy should be on display, ranking above average in both statistics.
Both Hickey brothers, Alex and James should have an influence around the ground, the two are averaging over 20 disposals per game.
Colac vs Newtown & Chilwell
Central Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 21st June, 2025
Colac sent a statement to the competition defeating flag contender, St Marys by 52 points.
The ultimate challenge is against Newtown who’re looking at a seventh consecutive win, who recently defeated St Joseph’s.
Jason Armistead’s squad rank above average in key indicators of their ball movement, expect the football to move with pace, with the Tigers averaging 56 inside 50’s per game.
Luke Hillman and Jonathan Simpkin will be dangerous inside 50, both averaging over 2 goals per game.
Steve Johnson’s side’s tackle pressure should be a key factor in the outcome of the match, his team currently rates above average in effective tackles, and is plus 8 for forward 50 tackles.
Contested bull, Gennaro Bove will lead the charge, averaging 12.2 contested possessions, and 7 tackles per game.
Lara vs North Shore
Lara Recreation Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 21st June, 2025
Both sides will be looking for their first win of the season.
Expect plenty of fans to come out to watch a tough combative game of football.
Assume Brett Henderson’s Cats pressure will be evident from the start; his side is plus nine for pressure acts.
Territory could be a deciding factor on the outcome of the game, Sam Purdy and Thomas Gunther both average over 22 disposals per game and will push forward to hit the scoreboard.
For Mark Hounslow’s side, averages of 33.4 clearances per game will have to be bumped up to apply early heat to the Cats backline.
Seagull's duo, Connor Walmsley, Jacob Sammut–Milijevic average 8.1 and 6.9 clearances per game.
Be sure to tune in via https://www.aflbarwon.com.au/aflb-tv or Krock Football (krockfootball.live)
South Barwon vs St Mary’s
McDonald Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 21st June, 2025
Either side is coming off a heavy defeat, expect plenty of passion to be on display in the early parts of the game.
South Barwon currently sit seventh, 4-4 win-loss ratio, a loss here could really hurt their finals aspiration hopes.
Mark Neeld’s contested brand of football is what has won them their games, ranking above average.
Tall timber, Ben Kellett’s strength around the contest will be important, averaging just over 10 contested possessions per game, with a host of other names just under 10 contested possessions per game.
Luke Rayner’s outfit were denied of their scoring ability, kicking ten goals compared to their season average of 21. The Saints fast ball movement should be dangerous, averaging 58 inside 50’s per game.
A multitude of stars will be present around the goals, with the likes of Patrick Dowling, Sam Bourke, Chris Jansen and Jarryd Garner all averaging over a goal a game.
St Albans vs Leopold
St Albans Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 21st June, 2025
A contrasting three-week block sees the St Albans in need of a much-needed win, against the reigning premier in search of a top three bye come September.
St Albans clearance game has worked for them all season, ranking above average in this department, effective disposals is what’s hurt Rick Munn’s emerging squad, minus 39.1.
A clean up in this statistic should give plenty of confidence the Saints can take it to the reigning premier like we have seen for much of the season.
Equal second in the goal kicking race, Tom Higgins will need to have a mammoth game up forward, currently averaging 3.4 goals per game.
Leopold’s contested brand of football, particularly over the last month has reached the expectation we saw of them last year, ranking elite with 168 contested possessions per game.
Rick Kelly’s on-ball brigade should garner plenty of contested footy in tight congestion with Logan Wagener, Tate Porter and Billy Ritchie all averaging over 10.5 handballs per game.
Geelong West Giants vs Grovedale
West Oval, 2:10PM, Sunday 22nd June, 2025
The Giants got their season back on track with a convincing win against North Shore,
Grovedale were gallant in defeat, trailing by 26-points at three quarter time, which was trimmed down to 11 points, plenty to like from the developing side.
The Giants rate above average for, kicks, handballs and marks, Greg Mallor’s squad clearly understand the style they want to play.
However, the clearances numbers are below average and an area they will look to improve.
Expect a response from the Giants midfielders who are seeing big numbers recently, the return of Tanner Lewis has been influential, averaging 26.5 disposals per game.
Winger turned inside midfielder, Lachlan Taylor, also has been dominant averaging 28.3 disposals per game, to go with six tackles per game, which leads their side.
For the Tiger’s, their strongest statistic all season has been their clearance game, ranking elite for Jacob’s Spolding’s side, they’re plus nine against the Giants, expect Grovedale to try and expose the Giants midfield.
Midfield trio, William Ford, Nathan Deans and Jak Tute all average over 5 clearances per game.
Be sure to tune in via https://www.aflbarwon.com.au/aflb-tv or Krock Football (krockfootball.live)
Bellarine Football Netball League
Drysdale vs Queenscliff
Drysdale Recreation Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 21st June, 2025
A disappointing outing from Drysdale last week puts them in a precarious position in a tight competition with emerging Queenscliff their next opponent.
They’re looking for a seventh consecutive win this week.
The Hawks contested possession count was down last week against Barwon Heads, expect Ben Carmichael’s side to hone in on their biggest strength which they rate elite for.
Contested bulls, Ben Fennell, Lachlan Nelis and James Breust all average 13 or more contested possessions per game.
The Couta’s kick – mark brand of footy has allowed for Heath Jameison’s squad to open the ground up and been more efficient going inside 50.
The Couta’s currently rank elite in kicks and are above average for inside 50’s and marks.
At opposite ends of the ground, forward Jonty Rush has been key, averaging a club most 6.7 marks, to go with 1.5 goals per game. Caleb Whitley in defense currently averages 8.1 intercept possessions and 2.7 intercept marks.
Ocean Grove vs Anglesea
Shell Road Recreation Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 21st June, 2025
Ocean Gove were given a heavy defeat against reigning premier Torquay and will look to respond.
Anglesea are looking to avoid a third consecutive loss, now sitting fifth on the ladder after sitting second, three weeks ago in one of the closest seasons we’ve seen.
A season low of turnovers last week for Dave Farrell’s squad presents optimism, the Grubbers will look to again take pride with their ball use.
Important trio, Gus Bourke, Taj Wyburd and Joshua Lange should all impact the game, averaging 17 or more disposals each.
Contrast to the Grubbers, the Roo’s had a season high for turnovers last week.
A large emphasis on ball use at training would’ve been spoken about by Jordan Keras.
Dylan Featon, Noah McGregor–Dawson and Will Batson should all play an important role with their ball use, all averaging over 13 kicks per game.
Portarlington vs Modewarre
Portarlington Recreation Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 21st June, 2025
A come from behind victory against Newcomb gives Portarlington a shot at a third consecutive win.
Modewarre on the other hand are facing the prospect of a third consecutive loss after their devastating defeat to Geelong Amateurs, amid finals aspiration slowly slipping away.
Portarlington’s ability to win the football around the ground over the past two weeks has coach, Nathan Storer licking his lips, as his forwards have had more opportunities inside 50.
Former AFL player, Connor Menadue should be dangerous for Warriors defenders after kicking five last week.
The Warriors had a season high 59 total clearances last week, a trend they would like to continue.
However, their disposal by foot let them down, going at 48% by foot, an improvement in this area could see Mark Hovey’s squad be dangerous forward of centre.
Tom Hornsey and Scott Morter are both averaging over two goals per game.
Be sure to tune in via the AFL Barwon website.
https://www.aflbarwon.com.au/aflb-tv
Newcomb vs Geelong Amateur
Grinter Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 21st June, 2025
Heartbreak for Newcomb after leading at three quarter time against Portarlington but were overrun in the dying stages.
In contrast, Geelong Amateurs were trailing at three quarter time against Modewarre and managed to snag a late win.
The Power had their second lowest total turnovers for the season, a trend Tony Mirabella would like to continue to see, particularly by foot.
Key players, Josh Saltalamacchia, acting captain Thomas Webster and Dion Johnstone should carry the load, all averaging over 13 kicks per game.
The Ammos present a tough challenge for the Power, their sheer presence around the ground will be hard to contain, Riley Kershaw’s squad are plus 58 for total disposals, ranking elite and rank above average for inside 50’s.
Star midfield trio Blake Sutterby, Tom Gribble and Riley Ferguson present a challenge for a young Power midfield, the trio all lead their club, averaging over 25 disposals per game.
Barwon Heads vs Torquay
Howard Harmer Oval, 2:15PM, Saturday 21st June, 2025
A strong bounce back performance by Barwon Heads excites the competition with a must win game against the reigning premier.
Torquay have put their season back on track with some important wins, as they look to consolidate their top three credentials.
The Seagulls inside 50 and scoring ability has been an important factor all season, rating above average.
However, they currently rank below average in clearances, Sam Schaller would be putting his midfield through their paces on the track this week in hopes of a turnaround.
Seagulls intercept player Kyle Polley leads his side in intercept possessions and intercept marks, 9.5 and 2.6 respectively, expect some class out of the back half.
The Tigers ability to win the football in the source supported by their clearance game could pose a threat for the Seagulls.
The Tigers rate elite for inside 50’s and above average for clearances.
Tigers’ guns, Matthew Boag, James Darke and point of difference, Nathan Mifsud should be dangerous around stoppages, averaging 4 or more clearances per game.
- Hits: 88