June 28th Preview: Local Legends: GFL & BFL in the Spotlight
AFL Barwon writer Wil Spence previews this weekend’s men's football matches across the Geelong and Bellarine FNL competitions.
Geelong Football Netball League
Grovedale vs St Joseph’s
Burdoo Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
Grovedale were defeated in heartbreaking fashion last week by the Giants, with a 31-point lead heading into three quarter time.
Albeit, the Tigers have been very competitive, the last month shaping for an intriguing match.
St Joseph’s in clinical fashion were able to run away with a win last week, after Bell Park trailed by seven points at the main break.
Jacob Spolding will be asking a lot from his young midfield brigade against an experienced St Joseph’s midfield.
William Ford, Jak Tute and Nicholas Hau should all be prevalent in the contest, leading the way in total groundball gets per game.
Ron Watt’s squad will look to control the football, ranking elite for kicks.
Experienced duo, Luke Webb and Jack Buckley, who returned last week after a long stint on the sidelines should provide elite ball use off the half back line.
Leopold vs Bell Park
Leopold Memorial Park, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
Leopold are looking for a fifth consecutive win after a shaky start to the season, the Lions seem to have all cylinders firing as they look to snatch a top three spot come September.
Bell Park are on the out looking in, however they have shown plenty of promise, falling short to top of the ladder, St Joseph’s.
Rick Kelly’s highly contested brand of football has been quite the success, ranking elite.
Lions star, Logan Wagener currently leads his side, averaging a whooping 33 disposals per game and should expect plenty of attention in the midfield.
Look to Connor Giddeys to be dangerous inside 50, currently with 26 majors.
James Saker’s midfield have their work cut against a powerful Lions midfield, gun Dragon Eli Pearce should expect a heavy workload, averaging 19 disposals per game, with 10 of those contested.
Skipper, Stephen Bensted’s intercept ability will be vital, averaging seven intercept possessions per game.
Newtown & Chilwell vs Geelong West Giants
Elderslie Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
A come from behind win from Newtown in tough conditions against a strong Colac side, provides more insurance Newtown are the real deal.
The Giants are also coming off a come from behind win, trailing Grovedale by five goals at three quarter time, a win here and the top five becomes very achievable.
Steve Johnson has called upon key trio, Ned Harris, Mitch Diamond and Liam Nash to lead through the midfield and half back line, the trio all averaging 21 or more disposals per game.
In Greg Mallor’s final season as coach, announced on K rock Football, expect the Giants to control the football, ranking elite for total disposals.
Off-season recruit, August Stelma will be important for the Giants defense, leading his side in intercept possessions.
North Shore vs Colac
Windsor Park, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
Coming off a famous victory where North Shore won their first game of the season, the Seagulls are looking to make it two on the trot.
Colac are looking to bounce back after a devastating loss to Newtown, leading by 10 points at the main break.
Last time these two sides faced each other, the discrepancy was quite a large margin, going the way of the Tigers.
Seagulls coach Mark Hounslow’s would be hoping for a more consistent effort, particularly after kicking six goals in a quarter last week, the most they’ve kicked all season.
Seagulls key players, Harry Purcell and Scott Brackley should have an influence on the game, Purcell averages 22 disposals per game, while Brackley leads his side in intercept possessions.
Jason Armistead will look to Tigers star Jarrod Walters to dominate in stoppage situations, currently leads his side in handballs, contested possessions, groundball gets, looseball gets and hardball gets.
South Barwon vs Lara
McDonald Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
South Barwon come into this weekend with one of their biggest wins of the season, defeating St Mary’s in a hotly contested game.
Similar showing here and finals is well and truly in the mix.
For Lara, a disappointing display last week when they had a chance to win their first game of the season.
Expect the Cats to bring the pressure from the first bounce.
Mark Neeld will look to experienced duo, Matthew Caldow and Fraser Fort to create opportunities inside 50 against a young Cats defense.
Fort currently averages 2.5 goals per game, and Caldow a tick under two goals a game.
Brett Henderson’s clearance game is an area he hopes to continue to improve on, currently minus 15 for clearances in the competition.
The heavy reliance of Darby Henderson won’t be enough with Thomas Gunther also required to play key roles.
St Mary’s vs St Alban’s
Kardinia Park West, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
St Mary’s are looking to respond after a second consecutive loss last week against South Barwon.
St Alban’s are also looking to end their losing streak of four games after losing to the reigning premier last week.
Luke Rayner’s squad will look to get threatening forward of centre with an abundance of players that can play both midfield and forward.
Jarryd Garner leads his team, averaging 28 disposals per game and 13 of those handballs which is a club high.
Rick Munn’s strongest statistics all season has been his clearance work, against a strong St Mary’s midfield, key player Fletcher Keck will carry a large load, currently averaging 25 disposals per game.
Bellarine Football Netball League
Torquay vs Portarlington
McCartney Oval, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
Both sides are looking to capitalise with their fourth win in a row.
Torquay are in good touch with key players back from injury and are pushing for a top three spot with strong percentage.
After a start to the season, Portarlington have got their season back on track under new senior coach Nathan Storer.
Incredibly trailing Modewarre at three quarter time by 30 points, the Dees put in an almighty lunge to get over the line as they look to cement themselves as a midfield team.
Dom Gleeson’s side should look to get deep entries inside 50 from their midfield, the Tigers currently rate elite for inside 50’s per game.
Led by Banjo Dyer and William Montebello who have currently kicked 23 and 22 goals respectively.
The Dees will look to be strong in the contest, led by gun recruit, Scott Greenhough who leads his side in contested possessions and handballs, with 15 and 11 per game.
Anglesea vs Drysdale
Ellimatta Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
Shapes as an exciting game of football, Anglesea currently in a rut they would like to get out of sooner rather than later.
After a disappointing loss to improving Ocean Grove, a scalp for the Roos against a Drysdale side who knocked off the form team of the competition in Queenscliff could shake the Bellarine.
A win for Drysdale would open a buffer between them and Anglesea on the ladder, and more importantly keep them within top three aspirations.
For Jordan Keras’s side, he’ll need leading goal kicker, Ayden Gras to have a day out against a quality defense.
Ben Carmichael’s squad will look to win the contested possessions and put pressure on Anglesea’s defense with deep entries inside 50.
Leading Hawk’s goal kicking this year with 18 goals, Jake Hargreaves will be dangerous at the fall of the ball.
Geelong Amateur vs Barwon Heads
Queens Park Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
An important game in which could shape the top five as we enter the second half of the season.
Geelong Amateur’s look to control top spot of the ladder with a fifth win in a row.
Barwon Heads were handed a tough loss against the reigning premier and are looking for a response.
A loss could bring about a two-game buffer between them and Anglesea if the Roos went on to win.
Riley Kershaw’s squad will look to take control in the midfield, particularly winning the contested football.
Ammos currently have four players averaging 10 or more contested possessions, to go with elite groundball numbers, led by Blake Sutterby.
Sam Schaller’s attack will need to take their opportunities in front of goal, led by Jack Henderson who averages 2.5 goals per game.
Off-season recruit, Damian McMahon will shoulder the load in the midfield with Zach Walter out, currently averaging 34 disposals per game.
Modewarre vs Newcomb
Mount Moriac Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
Heartbreak for Modewarre after coming into three quarter time with a 30-point buffer, ultimately being run down by Portarlington.
The Warriors have been on the wrong side of two close games in consecutive weeks and would like to make amends this week.
Newcomb are in a challenging block at the moment, a win away from home could be the catalyst to kick start the back of half of the season.
Mark Hovey’s side will look to control the football, making the ground bigger in front of their home fans.
Led by star Oscar Cooke, who leads his club, averaging 29 disposals per game.
Tony Mirabella’s squad are looking for consistency, targeting a four-quarter performance.
Leaders, Dion Johnstone, Finn Anscombe and Josh Taylor should lead the way, particularly Johnstone with his contested possessions.
Currently leads his side, averaging 14 contested possessions per game from 19 disposals.
Queenscliff vs Ocean Grove
Queenscliff Recreation Reserve, 2:10PM, Saturday 28th June, 2025
Contrasting results for either side, Queenscliff were eyeing off a seventh victory in a row.
Although a disappointing performance against Drysdale puts a halt to their wave of confidence.
Ocean Grove however shocked the competition with a comprehensive victory against finals contender Anglesea.
Patience has been the key for Grubbers supporters, but after a promising last month, there’s plenty to like for the remainder of the season for Dave Farrell’s squad.
Heath Jameison’s side will look to bring back a competitive edge that has seen them rise up the ladder.
Key duo, Che Durran and Lachie Kidd should lead the way, both are leading their club for handballs and contested possessions, 9 and 12 respectively.
Off season recruit, Taj Wyburd was instrumental in their win last week and will have to dominate in the midfield again and push forward, having kicked two goals last week.
Wyburd leads his club, averaging 23 disposals per game.
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