For the first time since 2019, the GDFNL Raiders competed in an interleague match which was held at Winchelsea’s Eastern Reserve on Monday, June 9.
It marked the first time the Raiders had played Colac DFNL since the two leagues played off at the same venue on June 13, 1993.
In 2025 all three GDFNL sides competing on the day (25&U football, open age netball, 17&U netball) celebrated a win.
A post-match ceremony was held with the presentation of the inaugural Whitley-Hickey Shield in honour of GDFNL president Neville Whitley and CDFNL chairman Peter Hickey.
The GDFNL would like to thank all players, coaches, umpires, media, club volunteers and organisers for making the day a success.
The two leagues will meet again in 2026 on Saturday, June 6 at Winchelsea.
Standing: Herschelle Carr (Corio), Ryan Perkins (Bannockburn), Bailey Kelly (Bannockburn), Toby Bennett (Corio), Austin Mulvahil (East Geelong), Josh Kunjka (Bannockburn), Lachie Gemmill (Winchelsea), Oscar Barter (Anakie), Ben Mulvahil (East Geelong), Rhys Ginn (Bannockburn), Ben McPherson (Belmont), Ben O’Brien (North Geelong), Michael Murdoch (Belmont), Jack Stephenson (Werribee Centrals) Kneeling: Zane Jones (Bell Post Hill), Cameron Primmer (Winchelsea), Will Kerrins (Bell Post Hill), Regan Vesty (Werribee Centrals), Carmelo Saliba (Werribee Centrals), William Hough (East Geelong), Jack Hall (Corio), Brock Mahoney (Belmont), Jacsen Jewell (North Geelong)
25&U Football
GDFNL 2.4, 5.8, 8.10, 11.13 (79)
CDFNL 2.1, 4.2, 7.8, 10.12 (72)
GDFNL: Goals: H. Carr 5, B. McPherson 2, A. Mulhavil, C. Saliba, B. Mahoney, J. Jewell
Best: T. Bennett, O. Barter, B. O’Brien, A. Mulvahil, B. McPherson, W. Kerrins, B. Mulvahil
CDFNL: M. Thornton 2, H. Carmody 2, L. Cunningham 2, J. Middleton, C. Przatsek, T. Ennor
Best: M Thornton, E. Read, T. Ennor, H. Carmody, T. Kent, L. Cunnington
The Geelong and District Football Netball League marked its return after six years with a thrilling seven-point win over the Colac and District League at Winchelsea’s Eastern Reserve. The Raiders survived a late surge after losing a 28-point lead, reclaiming the advantage through a late Cam Saliba behind before Austin Mulvahil sealed the 11.13 (79) to 10.12 (72) victory after the siren. Coach Paul Lynch praised the under-25 contest as a strong showcase for interleague football. Captain Toby Bennett, awarded the Sid Jones Medal, led a resilient defence that held firm during a tense final quarter exceeding 38 minutes.
Toby Bennett (Corio) received the Daryl ‘Sid’ Jones medal, as decided by the commentators, with 11 votes ahead of East Geelong’s Austin Mulvahil (7), Corio’s Herschelle Carr (4) and Belmont Lion Ben McPherson (2).
Anakie’s Oscar Barter received the umpire’s medal for the GDFNL while Mitch Thornton (Irrewarra-Beeac) won the CDFNL medal.
The match attracted much media attention with a live stream on Youtube and 94.7fm the Pulse with commentators Jason Doherty, Dale Smyth, Richard ‘Grubby’ Cations and Alex Tigani reuniting for the first time since 2018. A 90-minute preview featured pre-game interviews with opposing coaches Paul Lynch (GDFNL) and Kane Leersen (CDFNL) before the commentators revealed their top five interleague moments each. Colac listeners were also able to tune into the CDFNL live stream with commentators Max Blake and Drew Semmens.
GDFNL line-up:
FB: Ryan Perkins (Bannockburn), Ben O’Brien (North Geelong), Toby Bennett (Corio).
HB: Jayden Stephenson (WC), Rhys Ginn (Bannockburn), Austin Mulvahil (EG).
C: Zane Jones (BPH), Jacsen Jewell (NG), Lachlan Gemmill (Winchelsea).
HF: Ben McPherson (Belmont), Oscar Barter (Anakie), Ben Mulvahil (EG).
FF: Cam Saliba (WC), Herschelle Carr (Corio), Will Hough (EG).
Foll: Josh Kunjka (Bannockburn), Michael Murdoch (Belmont), Brock Mahoney (Belmont).
Inter: Cam Primmer (Winchelsea), Regan Vesty (WC), Jack Hall (Corio), Bailey Kelly (Bannockburn), Will Kerrins (Bell Post Hill).
Emerg: Logan Haberfield (Inverleigh).
GDFNL coach Paul Lynch (Thomson) pictured with at quartertime.
Open Age Netball
GDFNL 49
CDFNL 42
After defeats in 2018 and 2019 the league’s open age netball side returned to the winners’ list when celebrating a 49-42 win against Colac DFNL at Winchelsea. Reigning coach of the year Justine Radford (East Geelong), who coached the GDFNL’s last win in 2017, selected an impressive side made up of members from the 2024 team of the year.
The best on court medal, which is now named the Justine Radford medal, went to Belmont Lion Ella Wasik while Leigh Potter (Lorne) was the recipient of the CDFNL’s medal. The match was filmed and uploaded to the league’s Youtube channel. Matchday photos were also captured by SJV photography.
GDFNL line-up:
Steph Boyce, Claudia Cook, Sarah Perrott (East Geelong), Molly Gribble, Angelique Ross, Ella Wasik (Belmont Lions), Emma Witham, Puonyoum Mathiang (Thomson), Meg Royal (Winchelsea), Eden Mitchell (Anakie), Adelaide Annand (Inverleigh) and Alul Garang (Werribee Centrals).
GDFNL coach Justine Radford (East Geelong) with best on court medal winner Ella Wasik (Belmont Lions).
17&U Netball
GDFNL 32
CDFNL 30
The 17&U side was coached by Bell Post Hill’s Christina Blaskovic. The Raiders celebrated a nail-biting 32-30 win before a vocal Winchelsea crowd.
North Geelong’s Ryla Carr was the winner of the 17&U best on court medal for the GDFNL while Irrewarre-Beeac’s Mathilda Dare won the CDFNL’s medal.
GDFNL line-up:
Alicia Thompson, Anastasiah Sepulona Seaina, Ashlee Dumbleton, Bella Leak, Charlotte Scanlon, Millie Partridge, Reani Mawson, Ryla Carr, Tatiana Kralj, Scarlett Kaleta.
