News Archive

The GDFNL has released its extended squad for this year’s 25&U interleague clash, to be held on Saturday, June 6 at Winchelsea’s Eastern Reserve. For the second straight year the Raiders will take on the CDFNL, aiming for back-to-back victories after prevailing 11.13 (79) to 10.12 (72) in 2025. Thomson premiership coach Paul Lynch will again lead the side with Bannockburn senior coach Ronnie Pilgrim returning as his assistant coach. A total of 15 players from last year’s squad have been…

For the first time this season, the MVP votes couldn’t split them. Three A Grade talents sit on top of the Athletes Foot MVP leaderboard after five rounds, one vote ahead of a dynamic Thomson duo. Corio's Sarah Kasparian is one of those leaders after shooting 48 of her side's 61 goals against Anakie on Saturday. Mikaele Minns shares the lead after a stoic display in Bannockburn's 45 to 29 win over East Geelong as does fellow defender Maddison McKiernan (Winchelsea). ATHLETES FOOT LEADERBOAR…

The 2026 GDFNL Winter Netball Season has been a great success so far for the Thomson Tigers. Sitting second on the ladder, the A Grade team have defeated four out of their five opponents, only losing to the Belmont Lions by two goals in Round 3. Last weekend, they defeated the Geelong West Giants by an astonishing 48 goals. Looking to continue their winning streak, Thomson will take on Corio in Round 6 who are currently sitting at eighth on the ladder. Midcourter Ebony Harris has had a stron…

The first senior coaching change of season 2026 has taken place at Scaada Stadium this evening. The Giants, guided by playing coach Scott Frangos, have been unable to register a win so far in season 2026 after failing to match Thomson 5.14 (44) to 12.9 (81) in the bottom of the table clash. Geelong West Giants football director Andy Campbell has confirmed Andrew Clark will return to the role of senior coach. Club statement - The Geelong West Giants can confirm that Scott Frangos has stepp…

It has been 25 years since an Anakie player has taken out the Whitley medal. There's every chance that drought may be coming to an end after it was revealed that Joshua Mawson has captured an early lead in this year's Athletes Foot MVP. The second-year recruit helped guide the Roos to a 15.15 (105) to 12.9 (81) win against Corio with 40 disposals and three goals in the process. ATHLETES FOOT LEADERBOARD 11 - Joshua Mawson (Anakie) 10 - Cassidy Parish (Winchelsea) 9 - Brad Gerrard (Anakie) 9…

"Nothing is given." These were the words from Belmont Lions' co-captain Sophie Allison when reflecting on her side's miracle run to the 2026 A Grade premiership podium. The Lions enter Round 5 with a formidable 3-1 record and will start favourites against a winless Werribee Centrals side. "We want to work hard and work hard for eachother, that will be the ticket to get us close," she explained. (Click here for Round 5 final results)

This evening our president Darryl Jarvis, treasurer Caz Hearn and vice president Glenn Myers attended the North Geelong netball court for a special announcement. State member Ella George has announced a $450,000 contribution toward a second court at North Geelong. "I have awesome news tonight for the North Geelong Football and Netball Club," she declared. "In this year's state budget, the state government is investing $450,000 that goes towards a second netball court here." City of Greater…

The GDFNL would like to welcome on board our new netball reporter. Lauren McDonald has commenced her journalism internship with the league, writing and reporting on all things netball across all grades. She visited East Geelong this evening, interviewing club legends Gail Ferguson, Brook O'Leary, Justine Radford and many more.

Corio co-coach Adam Bell said his side’s win against Geelong West Giants was the perfect ending to a day where the message of mental health awareness was arguably more important than the result on the field. The two Geelong & District Football League clubs played for the second annual Shaka Cup at West Oval on Saturday 2 May in support of The Shaka Project and mental health and suicide prevention. Corio survived a last-quarter Giants comeback to win by nine points. “We love playing for t…

Belmont Lions and Bannockburn have successfully submitted a fixture change to the league this week. The Lions will now host the Tigers on Sunday, July 19. This means Bannockburn's next home game will now take place in Round 6 on Saturday, May 16.

The Thomson Football and Netball Club held the opening of its new netball courts on Saturday, May 2. Club legend and former Geelong mayor John Mitchell hosted the event with speeches from the honourable Christine Couzens (State member for Geelong and Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples) and Cr Melissa Cadwell. City of Greater Geelong deputy mayor Eddie Kontelj and Cr Anthony Aitken were also in attendance. GDFNL netball legend Naomi Nisbett had the honour of cutting the ribbon. Thomso…

With its ledger square after a challenging open month to the season, Bannockburn coach Ron Pilgrim is now eyeing another scalp for his much-improved outfit. After producing what was, in terms of ladder position and win-loss record, the club’s worst result since finishing ninth with five wins in 2005, the Tigers copped arguably the toughest start to this season, It includes four of last year’s finalists in the opening six weeks, courtesy of the rolling draw, as well as away meetings with Werri…

For the second week in a row, the Belmont Lions have held their opponent goalless in the final quarter, keeping North Geelong to a solitary behind in beating the reigning premier by 35 points. Leading by just three points at the final change, the Lions wrestled away control thanks to goals from Jesse Stapleton, Michael Murdoch, and big man Jed Evans in the first ten minutes of the last quarter. Late goals to recruit Steve Gunter and a second for the term for Murdoch put the finishing touches…

The Geelong West Giants' GDFNL section will be hosting its past players' day today. Stalwart Paul Robinson, who recently played his 200th club game, said it is one of his favourite days on the calendar. "We looked like we were going to shut the doors in 2016 so to go on and win a final against Bannockburn in 2018 was very special," he reflected. "We had a run of games where we were winning when we didn't have any right to." When asked if the Giants win their first senior premiership since 1…

Can the Magpies go back to back? North Geelong's 15.10 (100) to 11.11 (77) win over East Geelong brought back memories of last year's season decider. The Round 3 result prompted a 90-min feature of the Magpies' historic run to the premiership dais with interviews from Thomas and Zach Schwennesen. 

Winless Corio has suffered a further blow, with off-season acquisition Jim Botsaris to miss the remainder of the season. Scans last week have confirmed that a knee injury suffered in the pre-season is a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. The St Albans recruit played against Inverleigh in Round 2, but didn’t take to the field after half-time. (Click here for full story)

GEELONG West and Corio will meet again this weekend in the second staging of the Geelong & District Football League’s Shaka Cup, with the match continuing to double as a platform for mental health awareness. Following a strong response to last year’s inaugural clash, the Devils and Giants return to Scaada Stadium in partnership with local suicide prevention charity The Shaka Project, aiming to keep the conversation front of mind both on and off the field. The Shaka Project facilitator and…

North Geelong star Osca Riccardi hasn’t ruled out seeing out the year with the reigning GDFNL premier despite having a contract with WAFL club Peel Thunder. The former Geelong rookie has played the opening three rounds with the Magpies after returning home to rehab a hamstring issue. The Thunder gave the 21-year-old the green light to appear with North which could become a permanent arrangement for the remainder of 2026. “I was over there for a month last year… and then was lucky enough to t…

Belmont Lions co-coach Brent Vermeulen says the chance to enjoy his football was a key reason for playing in the reserves on Saturday. Vermeulen, in his fourth season in the role alongside Andy Walsgott, made the call last week to drop himself after a slow start to the 2026 season. “I had a bit of an interrupted pre-season – only really did half of it,” he said. (Click here for full story)

Reigning premier North Geelong has extended its winning streak over grand final opponent East Geelong, pulling away late for a 23-point win at Keith Barclay Oval The Magpies’ 15.10 (100) to 11.11 (77) victory was their fifth straight against the Eagles after kicking the last three goals of the contest, including two to former Geelong rookie Osca Riccardi, who finished with four for the match, to remain unbeaten. Corey also kicked four goals for North, with Boston Riccardi contributing three m…

After handing out consecutive hidings to open its campaign, East Geelong will face its first acid test of the new GDFNL season when it faces 2025 grand final conqueror North Geelong in an Anzac Day blockbuster at Keith Barclay Oval. The Eagles made light work of Corio and Geelong West, but the Magpies, who won all four meetings between the two clubs last year, present a tougher challenge than that posed by the Devils and the Giants. (Click here for full story)

The Geelong West Giants hosted its second annual Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Workshop this evening. More than 100 players from the club's football and netball sections stayed in the club's function space until 9pm to listen to the stories and advice from the Shaka Project mental Health program. Geelong West will travel to Anakie this Saturday before playing host to Corio in the second annual Shaka Cup on Saturday, May 2. "It's a very special event for both clubs both Corio and Gee…

East Geelong honoured one of its club greats by the official naming of its new refurbished netball courts. Club president Dan Payne announced the naming of the netball precinct after Gail Ferguson. "We wanted to recognise someone who has put their whole life into this club so from a netball perspective I'm sure you'll all know Gail," he announced. The netball legend said she was honoured and reflected on her 25 years of netball service to the league since the sport was introduced in 2002. "…

The Werribee Centrals held its annual Presidents Luncheon prior to the senior game on Saturday. "It was a wonderful event held upstairs in the club's new function room & it was fantastic to see so many Centurion Club members in attendance," event MC Steve Higham told GDFNL Media. Special guests included three-time premiership coach Andrew "Ghost" Howlett, who currently resides in Queensland, and Bannockburn legend Ronnie Pilgrim who celebrated his combined 500th game as a player and coach…

The Inverleigh Hawks celebrated their football section with the naming of their "Team of the Quarter Century". The side was selected by three club stalwarts during the 2025 season with players presented with plaques at a ceremony on Saturday. “It was the best side of the 25 years but it actually wasn’t 25 years because the club returned in 2002,” co-selector Mick Fiolet explained. The criteria included a minimum of 50 games, which meant the club’s last two Whitley Medallists Jak Kennedy-Hunt…

Today’s GDFNL community came together for a special Day for Scratcher, with activities, smiles and familiar faces filling the venue from start to finish. The event was held in support of North Geelong stalwart Geoff “Scratcher” Ryan, who is currently battling Scleroderma and awaiting a life-saving lung transplant. Clubs, players and supporters rallied around Ryan and his family, highlighting the strength and connection that defines local football and cricket. The day served as a reminder of…

Winchelsea coach Ben Moloney has labelled Saturday night’s 33-point win over Belmont Lions at Eastern Reserve as the club’s best in his 20 games in charge. Led by five goals by Jordan Gould, the Blues outscored the Lions nine goals to three after an even first quarter to claim an 11.5 (71) to 5.8 (38) result. “We talked about belief in what we’re doing; in our systems and what we’ve been trying to coach over the pre-season,” Moloney said. “And I think last night showed that when we do play t…

Werribee Centrals coach Rhyce Prismall has praised how the club’s off-season additions have adapted to life at Galvin Park as the Centurions look to keep their unbeaten start to the 2026 GDFNL season intact against Bannockburn. Centrals had five new faces – Aaron Stone, Max Ryan, Isaac Cohen, Darcy Phillips, and Liam Kalos – and the returning Connor Linehan-Cunningham as part of the line-up that overcame Winchelsea by 19 points in Round 1. “These blokes who have come in have been huge,” Prism…

Dylan Jose has ruled out undergoing surgery on the third ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his career, with the Thomson veteran hoping rehab will help him get back for some late-season games alongside good mate Devon Smith. Jose had his sights set on enjoying a final year of football with the former GWS Giants and Essendon star, but that all came crashing down in an intra-club practice match on April 1. (See full story here)

North Geelong will begin its quest for consecutive GDFNL flags with 17 of its 2025 premiership team in action against Bannockburn at Victoria Park. Tom Davis (back) and Jasper George (quad) will be missing due to injury; Noah Bily is unavailable, and Bryce Brockenshire is travelling. While Osca Riccardi, who has joined WAFL club Peel Thunder, hasn’t been named at this stage, despite reports linking him to playing with the Magpies this week. Veteran forward Blake Miller, whose 2025 season was…

First year GDFNL president Darryl Jarvis used this evening's season launch to pay tribute to his predecessor Neville Whitley OAM. "People have asked if my transition to president has been difficult and my answer is simple," he stated. "I sat beside Neville for a long period of time and felt natural to move to one seat to the left hand side of it." Guest speakers Michelle Gerdtz and David Langley reflected on the 20 years of the KEMPE | Read The Play program before premiership plaques were ha…

Bannockburn great Ronnie Pilgrim admits his primary focus will be on his side's opening round blockbuster against North Geelong this Saturday. However his players and loyal supporters have other ideas. They intend to celebrate the GDFNL legend's 500th combined game as his coaching tally will reach 184 games, adding on to his 316 as a player from 1985. "The build up has been pretty good, it just means I've been around for a very long time," he explained. Pilgrim will be called to the stage a…

KEMPE Read The Play founder Dave Langley has revealed his charity will be celebrating its 20 year milestone with a big event on November 7. "Its 20 years since we started in 2006," he reflected. (More to come)

Bell Post Hill has come a long way in two years. Just ask the club's senior captain Jack Yates. “I’m pretty sure there was an Ad in the Addy to see if we could get some players up here ahead of Round 1 in 2024,” he reflected. In one of the upset wins of the decade (so far), Bell Post Hill opened its campaign with a memorable 12.12 (84) to 11.7 (73) win against premiership favourite East Geelong. The win placed the Panthers fourth on the table to start the season however they could add anoth…

This Saturday the GDFNL season gets underway in style with our commentary team of Dale Smyth, Archie Burley and Richard ‘Grubby’ Cations calling the Round 1 clash between Bannockburn and reigning premier North Geelong. The opening bounce doesn’t just signal the start of a new season. It marks the beginning of the second quarter of the 21st century for our proud competition. Over the past 25 years, eight clubs have etched their names into premiership history, with Bell Post Hill setting the b…

This Saturday the GDFNL season gets underway in style with our commentary team of Dale Smyth, Archie Burley and Richard ‘Grubby’ Cations calling the Round 1 clash between Bannockburn and reigning premier North Geelong. The opening bounce doesn’t just signal the start of a new season. It marks the beginning of the second quarter of the 21st century for our proud competition. Over the past 25 years, eight clubs have etched their names into premiership history, with Bell Post Hill setting the b…

Reigning premier North Geelong will enter this Saturday's season opener as favourite against Bannockburn after last year's upset grand final win. To add to the narrative, Peter Riccardi has revealed his son and premiership star Osca may also be available for selection despite moving to Western Australia over the pre-season. "Unfortunately, Jonny Fazio dislocated his ankle and has a fracture in both bones in his lower leg and Thomas Davis is a day to day prospect," Peter said after his practic…

The Anakie Football & Netball Club honoured four of its families on Saturday, March 28. Both the Moore Tucker and Osborne Lowe pavillions were unveiled ahead of the senior football side's practice match against Sunshine Heights (watch full game here). Anakie legend Jeff Moore praised the hard work of club president Heath Menhennet. "I think I speak today on behalf of the Tuckers, Osbornes, Lowes and Moores when I say we are very humbled and privileged to have these rooms named after our…

Local photographer Sharlene Vale said it is surreal to be appointed as the league's photographer for season 2026. Prominent across all GDFNL matches across seasons 2024 and 2025, she hopes to add to her CV which includes GDFNL Interleague photographer (2025). "I felt pretty privileged to see the best of the GDFNL play all together and it was the first time I had captured netball so I fell into it and loved what I was doing so I kept going," she told GDFNL Media. As for her tips to the next g…

Four-time club best and fairest Michael Leamer believes his side is ready for battle when the Giants play host to Bell Post Hill. Joined by his son Jack and daughter Darci on GDFNL Media, Leamer believes his side has a good mix of youth and experience. "We are going to go into this one very confident because we have a strong backline and a very strong forward line," Leamer explained. Geelong West netball coordinator also believes that Round 1 will be a great test for the club's netball secti…

The Werribee Centrals netball section will enter the regular season with confidence following an eventful month of March. The Centurions travelled North to Yarrawonga to take part in a pre-season netball gala day.  "It was great because we versed teams that we haven't come up against before," Natasha Dimkovski told GDFNL Media. The weekend was highlighted by the B Grade side's entry into the tournament final, only to fall short by a narrow margin. "I think there is a lot we can take away fr…

A connection with a current player has helped reigning GDFNL grand finalist East Geelong sign Lara co-captain Sam Purdy. Purdy is good friends with former Cat Galen Munari, who arrived at Richmond Crescent from the Snakepit ahead of last year. (Click full story here)

Anakie has added three players with GFNL senior experience as it looks to build on its 2025 elimination final appearance. Sam Erwin, Lachie Scerri, and Jackson Francese Fulton have arrived at De Motts Road from Lara, after the Cats went into recess earlier this month. (Click here for full story)

A group of Bell Post Hill greats will extend their careers for another season as the Panthers chase a first GDFNL premiership in nine years. Coach Ash Witney has confirmed Caleb Bacely, Tim Barton, Nick Costello and reigning best-and-fairest Dyl Witney have all committed to playing in 2026. He’s also unveiled a trio of recruits seven weeks out from the Round 1 meeting against Geelong West, with Giant Tannar Stone and Lara youngsters Banjo Hickey and Riley Dixon calling Myers Reserve home. (S…

Thomson fans will have two extra reasons to smile when the GDFNL meets the Colac & District league in 2026. Tigers senior coach Paul Lynch and A Grade coach Shannyn Leach have both been appointed interleague coaches. Lynch, a four-time senior premiership coach, guided the GDFNL 25&U side to a 11.13 (79) to 10.12 (72) win against his former league in 2025 while Leach was named as GDFNL coach of the year after guiding Thomson to the minor premiership. (More to come)

GDFNL president Darryl Jarvis and treasurer Caz Hearn have explained why they appointed two netball managers in season 2026. Nicole Smith, who crosses over from St Albans, will serve the league as netball coordinator. With strong skills in leadership, governance, coordination and stakeholder engagement, she will play a key role in supporting clubs and strengthening the delivery of netball across the league. "She has been a very helpful hand at St Albans and she will be a great asset to us," J…

GDFNL president Darryl Jarvis has praised the early efforts of the league's newest leaders. Both Scott Penning (former Bannockburn president) and Glenn Myers (former Thomson secretary) were elected as vice presidents at the GDFNL AGM held on December 10. "Scott has come on board and he will be a great assett to us and Glenn has been a secretary and trainer at Thomson so both will be a wealth of knowledge for us," Jarvis said.  

2026 GDFNL Junior Netball Association Championship Trials are now open. Any junior player in the GDFNL who would like to attend the trials, please register at the following form. https://forms.gle/iRC7UBkNJT9inNyF7 Trial Dates Sunday 29th March (Geelong West FNC Courts) Wednesday 1st April (St Albans FNC Courts) Trial Times Sunday 13 & Under: 9:00 - 10:30 am 15 & Under: 10:30 -12:00 pm 17 & Under: 12:00 - 1:30 pm Wednesday 13 & Under: 4:30 pm 15 & Under…

The North Geelong Football & Netball Club is seeking experienced and accredited netball umpires for the 2026 season. This is a paid position, with umpire polo supplied, and offers the opportunity to be part of a supportive, welcoming club community from April to September. Umpires will be responsible for officiating matches to a high standard, supporting player development and contributing to a positive, inclusive environment. A minimum C Badge accreditation, current Netball Victoria mem…

Raiders Bingo Inc., proudly owned and operated by the Geelong & District Football Netball League, is currently seeking applications for casual team members to join its East Geelong venue. As a professional bingo centre that operates seven days a week (twice daily), Raiders Bingo plays a vital role in supporting the GDFNL and its affiliated clubs. All profits from the venue are reinvested back into local football and netball, helping sustain grassroots sport across the region. About the Ro…

The Geelong & District Football Netball League (GDFNL) is now seeking applications from dedicated and enthusiastic umpires to join its 2026 Netball Panel Umpire Pool. As one of Victoria’s leading regional competitions, the GDFNL prides itself on delivering high-quality netball across Geelong and surrounding regional venues. Panel Umpires play a critical role in maintaining the integrity, professionalism and standard of the League’s A and B Grade competitions. The 2026 home and away season…

Jack Yates will enter the season as the reigning Whitley Medallist after a campaign defined by effort, fairness and influence without ego. The 28-year-old polled 24 votes despite missing the opening two rounds.   Round 1 3 – Ben Crombie (East Geelong) 2 – Jude Payne (East Geelong) 1 – Josh Kunjka (Bannockburn) 3 – Brad Gerrard (Anakie) 2 – Luke Dahlhaus (Anakie) 1 – Russell Cowan (Corio) 3 – David Allitt (Belmont Lions) 2 – Tyler Crennan (Werribee Centrals) 1 – Benjamin Evans (Belmont Lion…

The opportunity to play with a good mate has helped Corio land the key signing of Jimmy Botsaris from GFNL club St Albans. The lively midfielder/forward spent last year with the Supersaints, playing every game and kicking 13 goals after crossing from Western League outfit Point Cook. K rock Football understands Botsaris is keen to take the field with fellow Devils newcomer Harrison Stanley. (See full story)

East Geelong's Sam King will enter this season as the reigning Tansing medallist. The star Eagle polled 18 votes from his 11 games.   Round 1 3 – Coby Eagle (East Geelong) 2 – Brayden Vicars (Bannockburn) 1 – Noah Charman (East Geelong) 3 – Hayden Leech (Anakie) 2 – Andrew Muller (Anakie) 1 – Dau Mayen (Corio) 3 – Damian Williams (Werribee Centrals) 2 – Riley Somers (Belmont Lions) 1 – Luke Cachia (Werribee Centrals) 3 – Chris Scott (Thomson) 2 – Joshua Camm (Thomson) 1 – Cooper Hardy (Ge…

Netball Coordinator Geelong & District Football Netball League Description Hours: Approx 15 hours per week with extended hours required during the Finals period. Some weekend and after-hours work may be required About the GDFNL The Geelong & District Football Netball League (GDFNL) is one of Victoria's leading regional sporting competitions, recognised for its professionalism, community connection, and proud history. The League oversees high-quality football and netball programs…

The Geelong District Football & Netball League would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Lee Doherty, who has recently stepped down from her role as GDFNL Netball Manager. Across her years of service, Lee has been a driving force behind the continued growth, strength, and success of netball within the GDFNL, from our junior pathways through to our senior competitions. Her passion for the game has left an enduring impact on our league and on the many people who have been part of it. On…

The countdown is on to a landmark moment for the Geelong & District Football Netball League with the inaugural 11 & Under netball season set to begin in 2026. GDFNL executive and member clubs have commended netball manager Lee Doherty and the league’s working parties for achieving the milestone, which expands a junior pathway that has been in place since netball was introduced in 2002. Until now, the league has operated three junior divisions. Inverleigh has been the dominant force a…

The Geelong & District Football and Netball League will return to separate senior football and netball vote count nights in 2026, confirming two standalone medal events for the upcoming season. The Neville Whitley Medal night will be held on Wednesday, August 26 at Buckley’s Entertainment Centre. Along with the league’s highest individual football honour, the night will also feature the presentation of the Ivan Tansing Medal for the leading reserves player, Rookie of the Year, and the anno…

New rules affecting how young people under 16 use social media have come into effect from December 10, 2025. Netball Victoria has released a fact sheet outlining the changes, their potential impact and links to helpful resources. Further information is expected from Netball Australia and the eSafety Commission in the new year with a briefing session for affiliates scheduled for February 2026. MEANWHILE the GDFNL fixture has been released for season 2026. Last year Bannockburn defeated Anaki…

Winchelsea gun Fin Parish will get a chance to put his undoubted talent on a show at a higher level after being invited to pre-season training with VFL club Werribee. The 24-year-old has earned an opportunity despite a broken thumb, followed by an overseas holiday, limiting him to just four senior matches for the Blues in 2025. “We pushed Fin early on, saying, ‘Well, are you interested? And would you be keen on giving it a crack?,” Winchelsea coach Ben Moloney said. “He’s someone who likes t…

Corio has unveiled journeyman Mikali Harrison as its latest recruit. Harrison joins the Devils after spending part of 2025 with Kyabram and District league club Stanhope. He is no stranger to local grounds, having played senior football with Belmont Lions, Newcomb and North Shore. At the Lions, he made 85 appearances in the firsts. “A mid/small forward, he’s highly skilled, thrives at contested balls, while also applying great forward pressure,” Corio said in a post on Facebook. “We’re loo…

A relationship formed during Rhyce Prismall’s playing days with GFNL club Lara has helped Werribee Centrals secure the services of Cats’ co-captain Aaron Stone. Prismall played with Lara when Stone’s dad, club great Shayne, was midfield coach, while also playing alongside brother Jordan at senior level. Stone joins returning Centurion Connor Linehan-Cunningham in making the move to Galvin Park from the Snakepit. “I’d always check it and see how the boys were going,” Prismall said. “We played…

Bannockburn had added some much-needed firepower to its forward line as it looks to avoid missing finals in consecutive seasons for the first time in more than 20 years in 2026. The Tigers have signed Henry Hawker from GFNL club Leopold as they look to improve their offensive output after ranking 10th for scoring, and tumbling down the ladder to 10th position – their worst home-and-away win-loss record since 2005. On the comeback from a serious knee injury when he arrived at the Lions, the 19…

Strong family ties have helped GDFNL preliminary finalist Bell Post Hill land former Geelong West (GFNL) captain David Handley. A Geelong Falcons premiership player in 2017, who also played 16 VFL games with Carlton, including 14 in 2022, has been unveiled as the Panthers’ first off-season signing. Handley’s mum, Amanda, is a life member at Myers Reserve, while his father, Ewan, is a former player. The 26-year-old was part of Bell Post Hill’s Auskick program but didn’t play with the club. H…

Inverleigh has poached experienced midfielder Zac Plant from GDFNL rivals Thomson. The Hawks have confirmed the arrival of Plant, who was part of the Tigers’ 2024 premiership team and played in their losing grand final side the previous year against Inverleigh. “We are getting a hard-nosed and experienced midfielder who will not only bolster our senior squad but will also drive standards and fit into our culture seamlessly,” the Hawks said in a statement on social media. “As one of the pre-e…

Bannockburn’s hopes of a quick bounce back after missing the GDFNL finals for the first time since 2014 have received a significant boost, with premiership co-coach Jack Brauman returning to the club. The hard-edged midfielder, who has VFL experience with Werribee to his name, has spent the past three seasons with QAFL club Surfers Paradise. A one-off appearance in mid-2023 was his only outing for the Tigers since leaving Victoria Park, after helping guide the club to the 2022 premiership. C…

Inverleigh will welcome back star former playing coach Adam Donohue for the 2026 season. Donohue spent 2025 with Colac and District club South Colac under former Hawks teammate Brad Surkitt, where he won the club’s best-and-fairest and finished tied for third in the league best-and-fairest, the Jack Mahoney Medal. The 36-year-old, who spent two years on Geelong’s list in 2008-09 without playing a game, first joined the Hawks in 2019. He held the coaching role at Inverleigh from his arrival f…

A returning forward and a talented basketballer have been unveiled as Winchelsea’s latest recruit. Having already welcomed back defender Adam Walsh from a one-year stint at Bellarine club Ocean Grove, the Blues have confirmed the return of joint 2024 GDFNL leading goalkicker Jordan Gould and the arrival of 199cm big man Jack Terrill. Gould spent this year playing with home club Tantanoola in South Australia, kicking 30 goals from 11 games, and helping the club to a preliminary final. “We’ve…

North Geelong has completed one of local football’s most incredible turnarounds to claim its first GDFNL premiership in 12 years following a 24-point win over East Geelong in today’s grand final at St Albans Reserve. 39 matches after narrowly avoiding the 2023 wooden spoon with a final-round victory, the Magpies have overcome a slow start, which saw them trail by six points at the main break, to kick six of the last seven goals of the contest and win. It was North’s fourth win over the Eagles…

The North Geelong faithful will rightly heap the majority of the praise on the twenty-two players and coach Peter Riccardi if the Magpies can produce one of local football’s great Cinderella stories and win tomorrow’s GDFNL Grand Final. Victory will complete a transformation that has seen North go from mid-season sackings of coaches in 2022 and 2023, and only avoiding the wooden spoon in the second of those years with a final-round win, to featuring in a grand final for the first time in a dec…

Saturday, September 20 North Geelong vs. East Geelong North Geelong To be selected from: Jasper George (27), Zac Schwennesen (3), Thomas Davis (42), Noah Bily (10), Thomas Schwennesen (24), Cooper Vaughan (1), Mitchell Habib (32), Jacsen Jewell (9), Charlie Smith (11), Bryce Brockenshire (40), Charlie McDonald (21), Patrick Cleary (22), John Fazio (31), Ben O’Brien (8), Luke Parker (4), Jordan Purcell (20), Osca Riccardi (41), Charlie Farrell (5), Rory Desnoy (6), Samuel Reynolds (38), Damian…

North Geelong youngster Rory Desnoy has been declared fit for Saturday’s GDFNL grand final clash against East Geelong after overcoming a shoulder injury. The gun midfielder has been sidelined since Round 16 after damaging his AC joint, with Magpies coach Peter Riccardi confirming on K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast that Desnoy will take on the Eagles. “He got cleared last week,” Riccardi said. “He’s trained for the last two weeks. “(He) fully trained yesterday (Tuesday) – full c…

As far as transformations in local football go in the past 20 years, it’s not quite Grovedale’s rise from wooden spooner to grand finalist in the GFNL in 2013. However, one can’t deny that North Geelong’s climb from narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon in 2023 to the GDFNL decider 24 months later isn’t any less impressive. ‘Geelong’s Fabulous Magpies’ had been anything but post-COVID. Four wins in 2021 were followed by seven wins in 2022, but the season was marred by the sacking of coach Mark…

Coach Ned Aulsebrook was adamant East Geelong wasn’t paying heed to the external noise of past finals failures, and his players proved him right, beating Bell Post Hill by 38 points to advance to its first GDFNL grand final since 2012. The Eagles were growing an unwanted reputation as finals chokers, having won just one of their past seven outings at St Albans Reserve, including being bundled out of the flag race in straight sets after finishing minor premier in 2022 and 2024. It was a fate t…

East Geelong coach Ned Aulsebrook insists his side is blocking out external noise around the club’s poor recent finals record as it prepares for Saturday’s preliminary final clash with a rampaging Bell Post Hill. The Eagles will attempt to avoid a straight-sets exit from the finals after winning the minor premiership for the third time in four years. In fact, East has won only one final since the pandemic impacted local football—the 2023 elimination final against Bannockburn—and has lost five…

Round 1 3 – Ben Crombie (East Geelong) 2 – Jude Payne (East Geelong) 1 – Josh Kunjka (Bannockburn) 3 – Brad Gerrard (Anakie) 2 – Luke Dahlhaus (Anakie) 1 – Russell Cowan (Corio) 3 – David Allitt (Belmont Lions) 2 – Tyler Crennan (Werribee Centrals) 1 – Benjamin Evans (Belmont Lions) 3 – Jacson Collins (Geelong West) 2 – Billie Smedts (Thomson) 1 – Paul Davis (Thomson) 3 – Finlay Parish (Winchelsea) 2 – Luke Wilson (Inverleigh) 1 – Lachie Gemmill (Winchelsea) 3 – Dylan Witney (Bell Post Hi…

Round 1 3 – Coby Eagle (East Geelong) 2 – Brayden Vicars (Bannockburn) 1 – Noah Charman (East Geelong) 3 – Hayden Leech (Anakie) 2 – Andrew Muller (Anakie) 1 – Dau Mayen (Corio) 3 – Damian Williams (Werribee Centrals) 2 – Riley Somers (Belmont Lions) 1 – Luke Cachia (Werribee Centrals) 3 – Chris Scott (Thomson) 2 – Joshua Camm (Thomson) 1 – Cooper Hardy (Geelong West) 3 – Bailey Forssman (Winchelsea) 2 – Daniel Grozdanovski (Inverleigh) 1 – Oliver Mahncke (Winchelsea) 3 – Harvey Martin (B…

Bell Post Hill has received a boost ahead of Saturday’s preliminary final clash against East Geelong, with captain Jack Yates taking out the Neville Whitley Medal as GDFNL best-and-fairest. The tough-as-nails Panther took the lead with 16 votes with a best-on-ground performance against Bannockburn when the count went live in Round 11, one clear of East Geelong captain John McIntyre and Anakie spearhead Andrew Boseley, and wasn’t headed from that point on. Three-vote efforts in rounds 12 and 1…

Anakie star Luke Dahlhaus has been named captain of a star-studded GDFNL Team of the Year. The former Western Bulldogs and Geelong midfielder had another impressive season with the Roos, guiding them to the finals for the first time in 27 years. Dahlhaus was among a trio of Roos honoured, with Wayne Tyquin medallist Andrew Boseley and GDFNL representative Oscar Barter also selected in the final 22. The Roos were one of four clubs to have three players included, joining Werribee Centrals prel…

East Geelong’s Sam King has held on to win the Ivan Tansing Medal as GDFNL reserve grade best-and-fairest despite missing the majority of the second half of the season. Polling 18 votes to Round 11, King was promoted to the Eagles’ senior line-up in Round 12, but then headed overseas for five weeks, returning for the final round clash with Inverleigh, where he didn’t poll. However, the challengers never seriously came. Belmont Lions recruit Brooklyn Johnston, who trailed by four when the rea…

Coach Peter Riccardi has likened himself to a “really proud dad” after North Geelong booked a berth in the GDFNL grand final for the first time since 2015. A week after snapping a ten-year drought of winning a final, the Magpies overcame minor premier East Geelong by 18 points, 10.7 (67) to 7.7 (49). “Because we’ve got so many young players, I just feel like a really proud dad, and I’m super happy for the boys. “Two years ago, who would have thought that we’re going to play off in the grand…

Bell Post Hill vice-captain Sam Quinn has labelled the controversial Round 14 clash with the Belmont Lions as “one of the best games I’ve ever played”, as the two clubs prepare to renew acquaintances in Sunday’s first semi-final at St Albans Reserve. The Panthers were awarded victory in the days that followed the clash at Winter Reserve after video and statistical evidence proved that the score signed off by officials – a one-point Lions victory – was incorrect. It was a result that returned…

Bell Post Hill has outlasted Anakie by 13 points in a tense GDFNL elimination final at St Albans Reserve to advance to a first semi-final meeting with the Belmont Lions. Leading by 19 points when classy veteran Dyl Witney snapped a goal on his non-preferred right foot, the Panthers appeared to have done enough. However, the Roos, who returned to finals action after a 27-year absence, weren’t ready to roll over, and pulled the margin back seven points following goals from Paul Ridout and Josh…

North Geelong has broken a decade-long finals-win drought in dramatic fashion, with a late Mitch Habib goal edging out Belmont Lions by three points in Saturday’s GDFNL qualifying final. The Magpies, who hadn’t tasted finals victory since their last grand final appearance in 2015, held on in a tense finish at 8.16 (64) to 9.7 (61), setting up a second semi-final clash with minor premier East Geelong. Trailing by three points at the 33-minute mark, Habib juggled a mark at the top of the goal s…

Like the rest of the local football world, Anakie co-captain Mason Rhodes thought the Roos had blown a golden chance to snap a 27-year finals drought. Consecutive losses in rounds 12 and 13 to the teams that would ultimately occupy the bottom two spots on the ladder, Corio and Geelong West, had Anakie sitting outside the top five. Rhodes says it was at that time the Roos asked themselves a simple question: “What do we want to get out of the remainder of the year?”. “Looking at the remaining…

Corio has turned to a fresh coaching combination in a bid to lift itself from the bottom of the GDFNL ladder, appointing former player Adam Bell and experienced local mentor Ross Gemmill as co-coaches for 2026. The pair have signed a one-year deal just days after the Devils ‘ season ended on a high, beating Bell Post Hill for their third win of a tough campaign. They replace outgoing coach Joel Bennett, who confirmed earlier this year he would not continue in the role. “It’s been a bit of a…

North Geelong coach Peter Riccardi says last weekend’s final-round demolition of Winchelsea has restored confidence ahead of the club’s first finals appearance in seven years. The Magpies, who had been battling patchy form leading into finals, belted the Blues by 149 points, something Riccardi admitted even surprised him. “I was a bit nervous going into it because we’d been very inconsistent the last few weeks, and we really needed a good showing just to get some confidence back,” Riccardi sa…

Anakie has broken a 27-year finals drought, storming home to defeat Werribee Centrals by 10 points on Saturday and secure its first appearance at St Albans since 1998. Trailing at every change, the Roos finished strongly at Galvin Park to claim a 14.14 (98) to 13.10 (88) victory. The result capped a remarkable turnaround for Anakie, which looked out of finals contention after back-to-back losses to Corio and Geelong West in rounds 12 and 13, respectively. “After those losses, I thought our s…

Inverleigh coach Chris Moore has encouraged his players “to have some fun” ahead of their Round 18 clash with finals-bound East Geelong at Richmond Crescent. The sixth-placed Hawks are a mathematical chance of playing finals, but on top of needing to beat the Eagles, they also require Werribee Centrals to beat fifth-placed and hope that if Thomson overcomes Bannockburn, they don’t make up a small percentage gap. “We talked about it at training last night, and I just want the players to enjoy…

If the finish to the 2024 GDFNL season was one for the ages, 2025 is about to say, ‘Hold my beer’. The GDFNL section of the Play AFL app has the potential to go into meltdown on Saturday afternoon, with all five spots inside the top five up for grabs. East Geelong, Belmont Lions and North Geelong are all live chances of claiming the minor premiership. Bell Post Hill will feature in an elimination final, with the use of the home rooms or away rooms at St Albans Reserve the only matter to be d…

Anakie is on the verge of its first finals appearance in 27 years after an impressive defensive performance was the cornerstone of a 34-point win over North Geelong at Anakie Reserve. The Roos held the Magpies to their lowest score under Peter Riccardi, picking up some handy percentage with the 12.6 (78) to 5.14 (44) result. Anakie’s win, coupled with losses to Inverleigh and Thomson, has Jayke Mawson’s men a game and percentage clear of the Hawks and Tigers with one round to play – a trip to…

East Geelong young gun Ben Crombie will make his return from mid-season ankle surgery in tomorrow’s clash with arch-rival Thomson at Godfrey Street. The Geelong VFL development list member hasn’t played since the Round 8 win over Corio, and will return on limited minutes as he looks to build into another finals campaign for the Eagles. “When he first had the surgery, we bookmarked a couple of weeks ago (for a return), and then it looked like it might push out to next week,” East coach Ned Aul…

The rarity of a ‘mathematical’ hope playing finals has Werribee Centrals coach Rhyce Prismall not getting caught up in his club’s prospects of featuring on St Albans Reserve at the end of the month. The Centurions’ win over Corio and losses by fifth-placed Inverleigh and sixth-placed Thomson have the Galvin Park-based club still alive heading into the final two rounds. However, with Centrals needing to beat Geelong West (away) and Anakie, and have Anakie lose to North Geelong, along with the…

Barring absolute calamity over the last fortnight of the GDFNL season, Belmont Lions will start their finals campaign from a qualifying final after overcoming a resurgent Inverleigh at Winter Reserve by 38 points. Spearheaded by a season-high seven goals from Ben Evans, the Lions used a 6.3 to 1.3 to third quarter to turn a four-point half-time deficit into a 26-point lead at the final change, before banging on eight goals to six in the last term for a 20.15 (135) to 14.13 (97) victory. Co-co…

Bannockburn and Werribee Centrals have both announced contract extensions for their coaches for 2026. Ron Pilgrim will continue at the Tigers for a fifth season after taking on the role for the second time in 2022 and guiding the Tigers to the flag that year. It will be a rare absence from St Albans Reserve for Bannockburn this year, with the Tigers out of finals contention. They sit ninth with a 5-10 win-loss record. The Centurions have locked away playing coach Rhyce Prismall for a sevent…

Injuries have forced Thomson into five changes for its match-up with Winchelsea at Eastern Reserve. The reigning premier was already planning to be without captain Sam Jacka, Jay Diffey, Ben Kamaric, and Jamie Bach after all four failed to see out last week’s loss to Bell Post Hill. What Paul Lynch wasn’t planning was defender Dan Mowat injuring his quad at training last night. All five are unlikely to be seen until finals, if the Tigers can hold onto fifth spot. They join the likes of Darc…

East Geelong has put what coach Ned Aulsebrook labelled “a poor month of football” in the rearview mirror in beating fellow GDFNL premiership contender Belmont Lions by 53 points at Richmond Crescent. After scraping past Bannockburn by one point before the split round, the Eagles suffered rare consecutive losses in Aulsebrook’s tenure, to North Geelong and Werribee Centrals, with last week’s defeat by the Centurions the heaviest in his time at the Eagles. “Last week, I felt like we got the co…

If Thomson is to claim consecutive GDFNL premierships, it will have to do it without star Billie Smedts. Scans have found a knee injury suffered by the former Geelong and Carlton player early in last week’s loss to Anakie needs surgery, with the 33-year-old to go under the knife in the next fortnight. Joining Smedts on the sidelines is defender Nick Lynch, who has a knee of his own that will also have him racing the clock to play again in 2025. Coach Paul Lynch says losing the key duo will i…