Final Charge: GFNL Finals Picture Taking Shape
As the home and away season edges toward its conclusion, the Geelong Football Netball League is building towards a blockbuster finish. With finals spots on the line and top contenders jostling for position, every result from here could make or break a campaign. AFL Barwon’s Will Spence breaks down the run home, key clashes, and the clubs with everything still to play for in the race to September.
1. St Joseph’s P 12, PTS 44, % 197.66, W 11, L 1
Last Five Games: LWWWW
Run Home: St Mary’s (H) (3), Colac (A) (4), Leopold (H) (7), Lara (A) (12), St Albans (H) (8), Geelong West Giants (H) (9)
St Joseph’s have a reasonable run home, playing four sides outside the top five, giving their week one finals hopes an even better chance.
Three wins at minimum for St Joseph’s should give them a finals bye.
Danger Games: St Mary’s, Colac, Leopold
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥🟧🟧🟨🟨🟩
2. Newtown & Chilwell P 12, PTS 36, % 148.21, W 9, L 3
Last Five Games: WWWWL
Run Home: North Shore (A) (11), Grovedale (H) (10), South Barwon (H) (5), St Albans (A) (8), Lara (A) (12), St Mary’s (H) (3)
To the naked eye, Newtown seems to have a reasonable run home, four of their last six games are played against sides outside the top five.
Three or four wins out of their last five games, has them in a good spot for a second chance come September.
Danger Games: South Barwon, St Mary’s
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥🟧🟧🟨🟨🟩🟩
3. St Mary’s P 11, PTS 32, % 22.48, W 8, L 3
Last Five Games: WLLWW
Run Home: St Joseph’s (A) (1), Lara (H) (12), Bell Park (A) (6), Grovedale (A) (10), South Barwon (H) (5), Geelong West Giants (A) (9), Newtown & Chilwell (A) (2)
Facing four of the top six sides as we stand presents a difficult fixture for St Mary’s.
With only two home games remaining, supporters will be cheering loud and proud in enemy territory.
Danger Games: St Joseph’s, Bell Park, South Barwon, Newtown & Chilwell
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥🟧🟧
4. Colac P 11, PTS 32, % 214.35, W 8, L 3
Last Five Games: WWLWW
Run Home: St Albans (A) (8), St Joseph’s (H) (1), Lara (A) (12), Bell Park (A) (6), Geelong West Giants (H) (9), South Barwon (A) (5), Grovedale (A) (10)
Momentum has Colac sitting comfortably, wins from four of their last five games support their progress.
The Tigers play three of the top six sides which may create a test, but history is on their side against the other remaining sides, having beaten them all.
Four of their six games are away, which could cause some possible headaches.
Danger Games: St Joseph’s, Bell Park, South Barwon
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥🟧🟧🟨🟨
5. South Barwon P 11, PTS 28, % 192.78, W 7, L 4
Last Five Games: WLWWW
Run Home: Leopold (A) (7), Bell Park (H) (6), Newtown & Chilwell (A) (2), North Shore (H) (11), St Mary’s (A) (3), Colac (H) (4), St Albans (H) (8)
The Swans are in a reign of form they would like to continue.
Although finals could be determined by their own performances, five of their last seven games are against sides sitting seventh or better on the ladder.
The percentage is on their side; however, four or five games will be minimum if the Swans play finals.
Danger Games: Leopold, Bell Park, Newtown & Chilwell, St Mary’s, Colac
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥🟧
6. Bell Park P 11, PTS 28, %168.40, W 7, L 4
Last Five Games: WWLWW
Run Home: Geelong West Giants (A) (9), South Barwon (A) (5), St Mary’s (H) (3), Colac (H) (4), North Shore (A) (11), Grovedale (H) (10), Leopold (H) (7)
Similarly to South Barwon, the Dragons finals fate is in their own hands.
Playing four sides inside the top seven, wins against these clubs could determine the outcome of Bell Park’s September aspirations.
A minimum of four to five games is required to play in finals.
Danger Games: South Barwon, St Mary’s, Colac, Leopold
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥🟧🟧🟨
7. Leopold P 11, PTS 24, % 163.73, W 6, L 5
Last Five Games: WWWLL
Run Home: South Barwon (H) (5), Geelong West Giants (H) (9), St Joseph’s (A) (1), Lara (H) (12), Grovedale (A) (10), North Shore (H) (11), Bell Park (A) (6)
The reigning premiers will need a lot to go their way, although the run home is in their favor playing four sides below them on the ladder.
Wins against sides below them and against Bell Park or South Barwon should sneak them into the five.
Danger Games: South Barwon, Geelong West Giants, St Joseph’s, Bell Park
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥🟧🟧🟨🟨🟩
8. St Albans P 11, PTS 16, % 104.87, W, 4, L 7
Last Five Games: LLLLW
Run Home: Colac (H) (4), North Shore (A) (11), Grovedale (H) (10), Geelong West Giants (H) (9), Newtown & Chilwell (H) (2), St Joseph’s (A) (1), South Barwon (A) (5)
St Alban’s run home has them setting their sights on finishing higher up the ladder.
Playing against five sides below or around them on the ladder, presents optimism for their remaining draw.
Danger Games: Lara, Grovedale, Geelong West Giants
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥🟧🟧🟨🟨🟩🟩
9. Geelong West Giants P 11, PTS 16, % 84.15, W 4, L 7
Last Five Games: LWWLL
Run Home: Bell Park (H) (6), Leopold (A) (7), North Shore (H) (11), St Albans (A) (8), Colac (A) (4), St Mary’s (H) (3), St Joseph’s (A) (1)
Mathematically the Giants can still play finals, although the likelihood is quite low.
Playing only two sides below them on the ladder for the rest of the season, Geelong West Giants have been given a less than favorable remaining fixture.
Danger Games: Leopold, St Albans
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥
10. Grovedale P 11, PTS 8, % 81.47, W 2, L 9
Last Five Games: LLLLL
Run Home: Lara (H) (12), Newtown & Chilwell (A) (2), St Albans (A) (8), St Mary’s (H) (3), Leopold (H) (7), Bell Park (A) (6), Colac (H) (4)
A difficult run home for Grovedale, playing two sides below them on the ladder, with remaining clubs either cemented in finals or vying for a finals spot.
If the Tigers can finish the season with six to seven wins, there’ll be plenty to like for the future.
Danger Games: Lara, St Albans, Leopold
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥
11. North Shore P 11, PTS 4, % 11.81, W 1, L 10
Last Five Games: LLWLL
Run Home: Newtown & Chilwell (H) (2), St Albans (H) (8), Geelong West Giants (A) (9), South Barwon (A) (5), Bell Park (H) (6), Leopold (A) (7), Lara (H) (12)
North Shore plays one club below them on the ladder in round 18 against Lara, with clubs fighting for finals spots, the Seagulls will have some difficult matches.
Danger Games: St Albans, Geelong West Giants, Lara
Draw Rating: 🟥🟥🟧
12. Lara P 11, PTS 0, % 15.30, W 0, L 11
Last Five Games: LLLLL
Run Home: Grovedale (A) (10), St Mary’s (A) (3), Colac (H) (4), Leopold (A) (7), St Joseph’s (H) (1), Newtown & Chilwell (H) (2), North Shore (A) (11)
Playing the top four sides to finish their season, Lara has been given a less than favorable fixture to finish the season.
The Cats will have round 18 penciled in.
Danger Games: Grovedale and North Shore
Draw Rating: 🟥
