The 2026 Geelong Football Netball League season is already gaining momentum with the release of the full home-and-away fixture today, revealing a schedule packed with blockbuster matchups and traditional rivalry clashes.

The season launches in spectacular fashion on Friday 3 April, with Leopold and St Joseph’s meeting in Lorne for a repeat of last season's standalone feature matches. The coastal setting is expected to draw a big crowd as two of the league’s powerhouse clubs set the tone for the year ahead.

The following weekend marks the official first Saturday of action, and it doesn’t take long for the rivalries to heat up. South Barwon will host Grovedale on 11 April, ensuring Round 1 begins with a fierce contest that always attracts plenty of attention.

ANZAC Day football and netball once again hold a special place in the GFNL calendar, with South Barwon vs St Joseph’s and Grovedale vs Lara locked in for April 25. The remaining fixtures for this weekend will be played on Sunday April 26.

Grand Final rematches will add extra spice early in the season. The senior football decider replay between St Mary’s and St Joseph’s on 9 May is expected to reignite one of the league’s fiercest modern rivalries, while netball supporters won’t have to wait long for their repeat of last year’s A Grade classic — Newtown & Chilwell and St Joseph’s go head-to-head on 18 April in Round 1.

The 2026 Bllod Toyota GFNL full fixture can be found below.

AFL Barwon was thrilled to see four players heralding from the region join AFL lists at the recent 2025 Telstra AFL National and Rookie Drafts.

Read our full recap below.

Josh Lindsay – Pick 19 – West Coast Eagles

The Geelong Falcons and Vic Country captain, and Newtown & Chilwell junior joins the West Coast Eagles.

The left-footer's kicking is his standout attribute, and he can influence the game by spotting up a target, seeing an option out of the corner of his eye or simply just executing the obvious and getting the game moving his team's way. He averaged 22 disposals during Vic Country's championships. 

Position: medium defender
Height: 183 cm
Clubs: Geelong Falcons (Coates Talent League), Vic Country, Newtown & Chilwell

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NCFNC - Eagles (@eaglesnewtownchilwell)

Tobyn Murray – Pick 40 – Fremantle

A dynamic 20-year-old small forward from Colac who had a break-out VFL campaign.

He kicked 22 goals and averaged 15 disposals across 17 VFL games for Geelong. Murray is tough in the contest with speed and power and also covers the ground well with good endurance.

He played 10 games for Colac during the 2024 GFNL season averaging 18 disposals, eight score involvements and nearly two goals per game.

Position: Small Forward
Height: 179 cm
Clubs: Geelong Cats (VFL), Colac

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AFL Barwon (@aflbarwon)

Hugo Mikunda – Pick 48 – North Melbourne

A forward who can go through the midfield, Mikunda uses his running power as a real weapon to gain separation from his opponents in his high half forward role. He is also a strong player one-on-one, particularly with his aerial ability.

Was a livewire for Victoria Country at the National Championships, featuring among their best players against South Australia and Victoria Metro and averaging 13.3 disposals over the four matches. He was one of the Geelong Falcons’ best performers in ten Coates Talent League appearances, in which he averaged 17.3 disposals which included a season-high 30 disposals against eventual premiers the Eastern Ranges in Round 11. A hamstring strain stopped him from testing at the Draft Combine.

Position: Midfielder
Height: 180 cm
Clubs: Geelong Falcons (Coates Talent League), Bell Park

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bell Park Dragons (@dragonsbellpark)

Jesse Mellor – Category B Rookie – Geelong

Mellor has been a part of Geelong’s Next Generation Academy for several years, while also dominating for the Geelong Falcons and gaining valuable exposure with the Cats VFL program recently.

Described as an exciting midfielder who can also play forward, Mellor emerged as a standout prospect this year with plenty of power, versatility and an incredible goal sense.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Geelong West Giants (@geelongwestgiants)

In his top-age Under 16 season, Mellor featured for the Falcons and represented Vic Country in the Diversity All Stars match, before making his senior debut for Geelong West Giants in 2024.

Position: Forward-Midfielder
Height: 185 cm
Clubs: Geelong Falcons (Coates Talent League), Vic Country, Geelong West Giants

AFL Barwon celebrated and recognised this year's most influential Football and Netball leaders at the 2025 Community Awards on Wednesday evening.

The Community Awards are a true celebration of coaches, administrators, umpires, trainers and club volunteers who are the lifeblood of local sporting clubs throughout the region.

The nominations for all awards categories were exceptional, with all shortlisted nominees and award winners providing a great reflection of the strength and high-quality people that are within our community.

We would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s AFL Barwon Community Awards.

Ian McTaggart Club of the Year

South Barwon

Social Media & Communications Club of the Year

South Barwon

Leisure Networks Inclusive Club of the Year

St Joseph's

John Edsall Award (Outstanding Service to Administration)

Kevin Dalton (Newtown & Chilwell)

Leon Schram Football Administrator of the Year

Luke McNamara (Armstrong Creek)

Junior Netball Administrator of the Year

Emma Zahl (Portarlington)

Senior Football Administrator of the Year

Jessica Duke (Newcomb)

Senior Netball Administrator of the Year

Kelly McCarthy (Grovedale)

Personality of the Year

Steve Hynes

Peter Burke Award (Senior Football Coach of the Year)

Heath Jamieson (Queenscliff)

Joy Grubb Award (Senior Netball Coach of the Year)

Leah Wilson (Drysdale)

Rookie Me Female Football Coach of the Year

Claire Moody (South Barwon)

Rookie Me Youth Football Coach of the Year

Jason Bonacci (Ocean Grove)

Youth Netball Coach of the Year

Shania Ritchie & Chelsea Dawson (Newcomb)

Inclusive Coach of the Year

Brett Campigli (Bell Park)

Junior Netball Coach of the Year

Scarlett Birrell (Queenscliff)

Junior Football Coach of the Year

Wayne Barrett (Surf Coast Suns)

Auskick Coordinator of the Year

Ebony Storrar (St Albans)

Net Set Go Coach of the Year

 Imogen Brooks (Modewarre)

Corio Bay Health Group Trainer of the Year

Matthew Hart (Portarlington)

Football Umpire of the Year 

Chris Jones

Football Best First Year Umpire

Jess Heath

Football Rising Star Umpire

Jack Tingiri

Netball Umpire of the Year 

Chloe Scott

Netball Best First Year Umpire

Ava Verhagen

Netball Rising Star Umpire

Tylah Paech

Hamlan Hanger of the Year   

Hamish Shepheard (Geelong Amateur)

Geelong Homes Goal of the Year

Jack Sarcevic (Bell Park)

AFL Barwon is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Naylor as our new Head of Football.

Sarah joins the organisation with extensive experience across both industry and community sport. She has most recently worked as a Business Planning Analyst with Carbon Revolution and holds a Bachelor of Commerce/Sports Management from Curtin University.

Sarah brings significant football leadership experience to the role. She previously served as Chairperson and General Manager of Football at the Geelong West Giants for five years, contributing to substantial growth across both club operations and on-field programs. Earlier this year, Sarah joined the AFL Barwon Commission, providing her with deep insight into the region’s football structure, participation landscape, and strategic priorities. She will formally resign from the Commission to take up the new position.

The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process that attracted a high calibre of candidates.

“I am incredibly honoured to take on the role of Head of Football at AFL Barwon,” Sarah said. “Community football plays such a vital role in the fabric of our region, and I am passionate about ensuring that all levels of the game continue to thrive. Having worked in club and Commission settings, I’ve seen firsthand the opportunities and potential within our leagues, and I am excited to contribute to the continued growth and success of football across the Barwon region.”

AFL Barwon Chair Michelle Gerdtz welcomed the appointment and highlighted the strengths Sarah brings to the organisation.

“Sarah’s appointment is an outstanding result for AFL Barwon and the football community,” Gerdtz said. “Her experience across industry and community sport, coupled with her leadership at club and Commission level, made her a standout candidate. Sarah’s strategic capability, knowledge of the game, and passion for supporting clubs will be invaluable as we continue to build a strong future for football in our region.”

Gerdtz also acknowledged Sarah’s service to the AFL Barwon Commission.

“We thank Sarah for her contribution to the Commission and are delighted that she will continue her involvement with the organisation in this new capacity. Her insight and experience ensure a seamless transition into the Head of Football role.”

Sarah will work closely with AFL Barwon staff, clubs, leagues, and stakeholders to support football development, competition management, participation pathways, and strategic growth across the region.

Sarah will officially commence in the role on Monday, 15 December.