AFL Barwon would like to thank Steve Keating for his many years of dedicated service to AFL Umpiring in our Region. 

A message from Jock Hillgrove, AFL Barwon Regional Director of Umpiring:

Steve leaves us to take up an exciting Umpire opportunity with our neighbours at the WRFL, a role I know Steve will hit the ground running with and make a positive footprint to their competitions. Steve is a big loss to us at AFL Barwon and Geelong Umpiring; however, he is a true friend and won’t be a stranger to us I’m sure.

I have been lucky enough to have worked with Steve from 2009 through to today in different capacities. Steve was DOU at Geelong Umpires back in 2009 when I returned as an assistant field coach and has ever since been a confidant, mentor and friend. He is always someone I lean on for advice and with his positive and supporting outlook certainly bodes well for any coaching role he has had. 

I was fortunate enough to start my full time umpiring career in Canberra 2010 and not long after Steve achieved the role as NSW State Umpiring talent Manager bringing us back together in a working relationship as he steered the NEAFL and AFL Umpires (NSW) on their pathways. When I returned to Geelong and the role of Regional Director of Umpiring for AFL Barwon, I was so pleased to have Steve available and return in 2016 to AFL Barwon as Head Field Umpire Coach (Geelong) which he has held till this season.

Steve has been an absolute champion of umpiring to many aspiring umpires and for those that have been around for a while, he has progressed many umpires in their umpiring development whether they be new or experienced. His open engaging style fits so well with our umpiring fraternity in what can be a very challenging environment from time to time. Steve has not only dedicated his time locally, but is still heavily involved at State League level and the various Talent programs.

Thank you Steve, as well as your wife Andrea and the girls to allow us to be part of your journey so far. From all of us at AFL Barwon, Geelong Umpires and our clubs, it has been a job well done and we wish you the best of luck in the future!

AFL Barwon is excited to announce the Dow Bellarine Football Netball League fixture for the 2023 season.

The 2023 season kicks off on April 1^st with repeats of both last season’s A-Grade and Senior Football Preliminary Finals. Torquay host Ocean Grove in the twilight timeslot, while Drysdale takes on Barwon Heads at Mortimer Reserve.

The Round 2 Easter fixtures has two games on Good Friday with Queenscliff heading to Torquay and Modewarre hosting Geelong Amateurs.

Other key fixture highlights include:

• Round 4 – Traditional ANZAC Day fixture between Drysdale & Portarlington.
• Round 4 – Ocean Grove host Geelong Amateurs in a repeat of the 2022 A-Grade Grand Finalists.
• Round 5 - Torquay take on 2022 Senior Premiers Barwon Heads.
• Round 6 – First edition of the “Battle of the Bridge” for 2023 with Round 13 hosting the return fixture.

The full 2023 Dow Bellarine Football Netball League season fixture can be found HERE.

The 2023 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League and Colac & District Football Netball League fixtures will be released over the next two weeks.

AFL Barwon and Hamlan Homes are partnering together for the 2023 and 2024 Seasons.

As a Geelong based business, Hamlan has played a significant role in building homes throughout new communities across Geelong, Bellarine, Surf Coast, and Western Districts.

Hamlan Homes have shared an association with the AFL Barwon community through their connections with K rock and Read the Play making this partnership a fantastic fit for the two organisations.

The “Hamlan Hanger” will be brought to life in 2023 with K rock Geelong FNL weekly radio award to have the vision and the commentary synced.

AFL Barwon Commercial Partnerships & Communications Manager Sean Atkinson was quoted “We are very excited to form a partnership with Hamlan Homes for the next two season. Hamlan Homes as a Barwon-based organisation, with their involvement across the region, alongside their community minded values, align perfectly to AFL Barwon's, which is key for any partnership.;”

“The partnership will provide a greater connection between two of our really important partners in Read the Play and K rock which ultimately benefits our community”.

Jason Draper, General Manager, Hamlan Homes was quoted "Hamlan is thrilled to be partnering with AFL Barwon for the 2023 & 2024 seasons. As locals ourselves we know how important local sport is for bringing our community together whether it's as players, volunteers, or spectators. This partnership is another way Hamlan supports the local Geelong community that we’re proud to be a part of.”

“I can't wait to see the weekly highlights from each round and the players vying for the Hamlan Hanger of the season. I'm looking forward to seeing many spectacular Hamlan Hangers taken throughout the season."

The AFL Victoria Media Awards are back in 2022 with nominations open to recognise outstanding coverage and contributions from across Victorian community football media this year.

Nominations will close at the end of Friday 25 November and can be submitted here. Information and criteria for each of the categories is available here.

Last held in 2019, the awards have returned this year as part of acknowledging the incredible bounce back that’s occurred across Victorian community football after two years severely disrupted by the COVID pandemic, and the significant role local media has played in promoting the game.

There are 15 award categories:

1. PHOTOGRAPHIC

     a. Outstanding Community Football Photograph – Action

     b. Outstanding Community Football Photograph – The Essence of the Game

2. WRITTEN COVERAGE – PRINT AND ONLINE

     a. Outstanding feature story – print or online

     b. Outstanding news story – print or online

     c. Outstanding column – print or online

     d. Outstanding newspaper or news website coverage

     e. Outstanding community football-focused publication – print or online

3. TV AND VIDEO

     a. Best use of TV – TV show, news or feature story

     b. Best use of online video

4. RADIO AND PODCASTS

     a. Outstanding Radio Match Day coverage

     b. Outstanding Football Radio Show or Podcast

5. GENERAL

     a. Outstanding contribution to community football media

     b. Outstanding coverage – Diversity and Inclusion

     c. Outstanding talent – Diversity and Inclusion

     d. Rising Star

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS

Head of AFL Victoria, Ben Kavenagh, said: “AFL Victoria would like to thank and recognise the contribution media across the state has made in promoting footy, growing the game and ensuring football remains the heartbeat of so many Victorian communities.

“Over the course of 2020 and 2021 we were reminded how much community football means to so many when it was taken away and it’s been incredible to see the game rebound strongly in 2022. The media has played a significant role in football bouncing back and the 2022 AFL Victoria Media Awards aim to recognise outstanding contributions and coverage from media across the state.

“I encourage individuals and organisations to get their nominations in and help to shine a light on the great work the media has done in covering Victorian community football.”