Grand finals shift to a Friday

It will be a battle of the 2023 BFL grand finalists in round one next year when Torquay hosts Drysdale over Easter.

The 2024 Geelong Football Netball League grand finals will be played on a Friday in a major shift from its traditional Saturday timeslot.

The grand finals next year will be on Friday September 27, which is also a public holiday the day before the AFL grand final.

AFL Barwon has not confirmed venues or starting times.

There will be leaguewide general byes on May 25 and July 6 with a split round to be held on August 3 and 10.

Round 1 will begin on Saturday April 13 and the finals will start on Saturday September 7.

The Bellarine Football Netball League season begins on Good Friday and continues over the Easter weekend with the round one fixture announced.

Barwon Heads hosts Anglesea, last year’s grand finalists Torquay and Drysdale clash at Torquay, Newcomb travels to Portarlington, Queenscliff entertains Ocean Grove and Modewarre hosts Geelong Amateur.

League byes will be observed on Saturday May 11 and Saturday July 6 with the final series commencing Saturday August 17 and the grand finals on Saturday September 7.

AFL Barwon senior and Under 19s female footy kicks off on Friday April 5 with general byes on the weekends starting Friday May 3 and Friday July 5. Grand finals are on the weekend beginning Friday August 23.

MEANWHILE the AFL Barwon Commission awarded the its first life membership to Craig Keating at its AGM.

Keating served as the inaugural chair of the commission over a decade-long tenure before finishing up at the end of 2022.

AFL Barwon chair Michelle Gerdtz was delighted that Craig has been recognised for his outstanding service.

“Craig’s commitment to the region since the inception of AFL Barwon was exceptional,” she said.

“As the inaugural chair, he led the region through some really challenging times that his strong leadership helped guide the business, slubs, and its stakeholders through.”