Geelong Football Netball League Explained
Geelong Football Netball League |
Pixels: | 150 |
Formerly: | Geelong Football League (1979–2012) |
Teams: | 12 |
Confed: | AFL Barwon |
Country: | Australia |
Headquarters: | Highton, Victoria, Australia |
Sponsor: | Blood Toyota |
Related Comps: | Geelong & District FNL Bellarine FNL |
The Geelong Football Netball League is an Australian rules football and netball league in Victoria, Australia. It is widely regarded as the highest standard Australian rules football league in regional Victoria, with several former AFL players now playing for a variety of clubs.
History
The league was formed in 1979 when twelve clubs broke away from the Geelong & District Football League.[1] The city and country clubs of the old GDFL were divided into the major league competition of the GFL and the minor league of the GDFL. Many of the teams in the lower league wanted a system of promotion and relegation, which was fought by the GFL until the early 1980s when the Victorian Country Football League held a hearing in Melbourne. As a result, a trial promotion-relegation system was put into place on a voluntary basis. Today, the GDFL is opposed to the promotion-relegation system, with a three-division, three league competition of the Geelong FL, Bellarine FL and Geelong & District FL in place in the Geelong region.[2]
In March 2024, following extensive consultation[3] AFL Barwon detailed a plan that would expand the second-tier Bellarine Football Netball League to 12 teams from 2025 with a path for a team to accept an invitation for promotion to the GFNL, replacing a club that would then be relegated from the GFNL.[4]
Clubs
Current clubs
Club | Colours | Moniker | | | Former league | GFNL Seasons | |
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| |
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data-sort-type="number" | Total | Most recent | Total | Most recent |
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Bell Park | | Dragons | Hamlyn Park, Bell Park | 1958 | GDFL | 1979–present | 4 | 2011 | 0 | — |
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Colac | | Tigers | Central Reserve, Colac | 1948 | HFL | 2001–present | 1 | 2014 | 0 | — |
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Grovedale | | Tigers | Burdoo Reserve, Grovedale | 1947 | GDFL | 1979–present | 0 | — | 0 | — |
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Geelong West | | Giants | West Oval, Geelong West | 2017 | — | 2017–present | 0 | — | 0 | — |
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Lara | | Cats | Lara Recreation Reserve, Lara | 1880 | GDFL | 1989–present | 2 | 2002 | 2 | 2003 |
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Leopold | | Lions | Leopold Memorial Park, Leopold | 1955 | BFL | 1992–present | 3 | 2024 | 0 | — |
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Newtown & Chilwell | | Eagles | Elderslie Reserve, Newtown | 1933 | GDFL | 1979–present | 3 | 1986 | 8 | 2024 |
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North Shore | | Seagulls | Windsor Park, North Shore | 1927 | GDFL | 1979–present | 11 | 2000 | 2 | 2001 |
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South Barwon | | Swans | McDonald Reserve, Belmont | 1990 | — | 1990–present | 8 | 2013 | 8 | 2012 |
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St Albans | | Supersaints | St Albans Reserve, Thomson | 1880 | GDFL | 1979–present | 2 | 1988 | 0 | — |
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St Joseph's | | Joeys | Herne Hill Reserve, Herne Hill | 1973 | GDFL | 1985–present | 4 | 2018 | 1 | 2008 |
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St Mary's | | Saints | Kardinia Park West, South Geelong | 1953 | GDFL | 1979–present | 6 | 2022 | 0 | — | |
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Former clubs
Club | Colours | Moniker | | Former league | | GFNL Seasons | | Fate |
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data-sort-type="number" | Total | Most recent |
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Barwon | | Bulldogs | Highton Recreation Reserve, Highton | GDFL | | 1979–1989 | 0 | — | Merged with Belmont to form South Barwon in 1990 |
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East Geelong | | Eagles | Richmond Oval, East Geelong | GDFL | 1879 | 1979 | 0 | — | Returned to Geelong & District FNL in 1980 |
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Geelong Amateur | | Ammos | Queens Park, Highton | GDFL | 1926 | 1986–1988 | 0 | — | Moved to Bellarine FNL in 1989 |
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Geelong West SC | | Cheetahs | Bakers Oval, Geelong West | GDFL | 1926 | 1979–1985 | 0 | — | Returned to Geelong & District FNL in 1986 |
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Geelong West St Peters | | Roosters | West Oval, Geelong West | — | 1989 | 1989–2016 | 0 | — | Merged with Geelong West SC to form Geelong West Giants in 2017 |
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North Geelong | | Magpies | Osborne Park, North Geelong | GDFL | 1876 | 1979–1982 | 0 | — | Returned to Geelong & District FNL in 1984 |
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St Peters | | Saints | Walker Oval, Herne Hill | GDFL | | 1979, 1982–1988 | 0 | — | Merged with Geelong West to form Geelong West St Peters in 1989 |
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Thomson | | Tigers | Thomson Recreation Reserve, Thomson | GDFL | 1953 | 1979–1981, 1984 | 0 | — | Returned to Geelong & District FNL in 1985 | |
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Premiers
Senior football
A Grade netball
Individual awards
Senior football
Mathieson Medal
The Don Mathieson Medal is presented to the league's best and fairest player at the conclusion of the home-and-away season. It is named after Don Mathieson, who founded the league in 1979.[23] Two players have won the award on three occasions: John Williams for Barwon and St Mary's across four seasons in the late 1980s, and Newtown & Chilwell's Matthew McMahon in consecutive seasons in the late 2010s. The award has been shared on eight occasions, most notably during a four-way tie in 1995.
Leading Goalkicker Award
The Leading Goalkicker Award is presented to the player who has kicked the most goals at the conclusion of the home-and-away season.
A Grade netball
Best & Fairest Award
Hot Shot Award
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Geelong and District Football League boasts a long list of superstars. Noel . Fanning. 9 April 2008. The Geelong Advertiser. www.geelongadvertiser.com.au. 2008-11-10.
- Web site: Kick to kick. The Geelong Advertiser. May 24, 2008. DARYL McLURE. www.geelongadvertiser.com.au. 2008-11-10.
- Web site: AFL Barwon Future of Football & Netball Project Statement - Senior Male Football & Senior Netball. . AFL Barwon . 4 April 2024 . 28 March 2024.
- Web site: King . Tom . Non-mandatory promotion adopted by AFL Barwon . Krock Football . Geelong Broadcasters Pty Limited . 4 April 2024 . 28 March 2024.
- Web site: 2019 . Geelong Football League - Premiers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916054022/https://www.aflbarwon.com.au/images/documents/league%20history/geelong/GFL-Premiers.pdf . 2022-09-16 . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- Web site: 2019 . Best in GFL Grand Final . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916054100/https://www.aflbarwon.com.au/images/documents/league%20history/geelong/GFL-Best-in-Grand-Final.pdf . 2022-09-16 . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- News: 2003-09-21 . Clohessy's draw tip stuns as it rings true . . 2022-09-14.
- Web site: King . Tom . 2022-09-18 . Success worth waiting for . 2022-09-18 . K Rock Football.
- Web site: King . Tom . 2022-09-18 . Reward for running machine . 2022-09-18 . K Rock Football.
- Web site: Forrest . Matthew . 2023-09-23 . GFNL Grand Final: Leopold beat South Barwon for flag . 2023-09-23 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: van Oorshot . Vinnie . Leopold go back to back with win over South Barwon . Geelong Times . Times News Group . 27 September 2024 . Geelong, Victoria . 27 September 2024.
- Web site: 2019 . GFLN Premiers . 2022-09-12 . AFL Barwon.
- News: Green . Bradley . 2010-09-13 . Swans win epic game . 12 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Green . Bradley . 2010-09-11 . Grand ambitions: Smith desires a flag . 75 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: Ryan . Jemma . 2020-06-01 . GFL netball vault: Newtown & Chilwells's 2013 flag a sign of more to come . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Tigani . Alex . 2016-09-19 . Eagles soar in four-some effort . 28 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Ryan . Jemma . 2017-09-24 . GFL Netball grand final 2017: Newtown defeats St Albans, claims fifth straight premiership . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: 2018 . GFL netball grand finals . 2022-09-16 . The Mercury.
- Web site: 2019-09-21 . SEVEN IN A ROW Bendigo Bank A Grade Cup; Newtown & Chilwell 57 Def St Albans 30; Best on Court - Danielle Stewart . 2022-09-16 . . AFL Barwon.
- Web site: Forrest . Matthew . Nash . Ollie . 2022-09-18 . Colac is the 2022 GFNL A Grade premier . subscription . 2022-09-18 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Cameron . Ben . 2023-09-23 . Colac wins back-to-back GFNL A Grade premierships over a fast finishing Newtown & Chilwell . . 2023-09-23.
- Web site: van Oorshot . Vinnie . Eagles topple Joeys in Grand Final cliffhanger . Geelong Times . Times News Group . 27 September 2024 . Geelong, Victoria . 27 September 2024.
- News: Wade . Nick . 2017-10-19 . Geelong Football League trailblazer Don Mathieson passes away aged 97 . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: 2019 . GFL Best & Fairest - Senior Best and Fairest (Mathieson Medal) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916053616/https://www.aflbarwon.com.au/images/documents/league%20history/geelong/GFL-Best-Fairest-Copy.pdf . 2022-09-16 . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- News: 2010-09-09 . Mathieson Medal - Blood Toyota Geelong FL Seniors . 37 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Reynolds . Ryan . 2011-09-15 . GFL best can't be split . 38 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Reynolds . Ryan . Cleary . Mitch . 2012-09-13 . Stars can't be split . 38 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Oates . Alex . 2013-09-12 . Paulke wins medal . 41 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Wade . Nick . 2014-09-10 . Leopold ball-winner Guy O'Keefe wins GFL's Mathieson Medal . . 2022-09-16.
- News: 2015-09-17 . Geelong Football League 2015 Mathieson Medal count . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Oates . Alex . 2016-09-12 . 2016 GFL Mathieson Medal: Grovedale's Nathan Deans win with three votes in last round . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: Ractliffe . Damien . 2017-09-17 . GFL Mathieson Medal 2017: Newtown & Chilwell captain Matthew McMahon wins medal . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: Ractliffe . Damien . 2018-09-12 . GFL 2018: Back-to-back for Matt McMahon as the Newtown midfielder claims his second Mathieson Medal . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: Reynolds . Ryan . 2019-09-11 . Newtown & Chilwell's Matthew McMahon admits Mathieson Medal shock . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: Voogt . Luke . 2020-06-09 . Geelong footy season cancelled . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220911084228/https://geelongindy.com.au/sport/09-06-2020/geelong-footy-season-cancelled/ . 2022-09-11 . 2022-09-11 . . en-US.
- Web site: King . Tom . 2021-09-08 . Star Saint romps to Mathieson . 2022-09-16 . K Rock Football.
- Web site: van Oorschot . Vinnie . 2022-08-29 . Benson beats odds to claim second Mathieson Medal . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Times.
- Web site: van Oorschot . Vinnie . Swans share Mathieson Medal in best and fairest count . Geelong Times . 20 September 2023 . Times News Group . 21 September 2023.
- Web site: van Oorshot . Vinnie . Madigan tops Mathieson count . Geelong Times . Times News Group . 2 October 2024 . Geelong, Victoria . 24 September 2024.
- Web site: Batten . Dan . GFNL awards: Doyle Madigan wins Mathieson Medal as Ellen Doyle and Eliza Cahill tie for netball best-and-fairest . Code Sports . News Corporation Australia . 2 October 2024 . 25 September 2024.
- Web site: 2014 . 2014 AFL Barwon Annual Report . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- Web site: 2015 . 2015 AFL Barwon Annual Report . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- Web site: 2016 . 2016 AFL Barwon Annual Report . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- Web site: 2017 . 2017 AFL Barwon Annual Report . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- Web site: 2018 . 2018 AFL Barwon Annual Report . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- Web site: 2019 . 2019 AFL Barwon Annual Report . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- Web site: 2021 . 2021 AFL Barwon Annual Report . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- Web site: 2022 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League Seniors Fixture and Ladder PlayHQ . 2022-09-16 . www.playhq.com.
- Web site: 2023 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League Seniors Fixture and Ladder PlayHQ . 2023-09-21 . www.playhq.com.
- Web site: Madigan crowned Mathieson Medalist . AFL Barwon . 2 October 2024 . 24 September 2024.
- Web site: 2019 . GFLN Best & Fairest . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916063900/https://www.aflbarwon.com.au/images/documents/league%20history/geelong/GFLN-Best-Fairest.pdf . 2022-09-16 . 2022-09-16 . AFL Barwon.
- News: 2010-09-25 . Smith claims another award . 39 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Green . Bradley . 2011-09-07 . Tiger storms home to win medal . 42 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Reynolds . Ryan . 2012-09-11 . Lara's Davis is best and fairest . 39 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Oates . Alex . 2013-09-10 . Star Newtown recruit takes out GFL netball award . 34 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: 2014-09-09 . GFNL A-Grade Best & Fairest Winner from @StJoeysFNC Molly Jovic on 27 . 2022-09-16 . . AFL Barwon . en.
- News: 2015-09-17 . Club by Club Votes . 35 . Geelong Advertiser.
- News: Oates . Alex . 2016-09-13 . GFNL 2016 best and fairest: Shared victory comes as a shock to both . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: Ractliffe . Damien . 2017-09-18 . GFL netball best and fairest 2017 . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: Ractliffe . Damien . 2018-09-12 . GFL Netball 2018: Cougars goallers Zanna Woods and Julia Woolley tie the GFL league best-and-fairest . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: Young . Lachie . 2019-09-12 . GFL netball 2019: Hannah Van Gemst claims GFL netball A-grade best-and-fairest . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: Barnes . Josh . 2021-09-08 . Honner, Sheringham tie for A-grade netball honour . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: van Oorschot . Vinnie . 2022-08-29 . Doyle tops count in Geelong best-and-fairest . 2022-09-16 . Geelong Times.
- Web site: van Oorschot . Vinnie . 2023-09-20 . Joeys shooter claims A Grade best and fairest . 2023-09-21 . Geelong Times.
- Web site: 2013-11-20 . Julia Knott takes out best and fairest . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220916123059/https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=1-6160-80514-0-0&sID=126652&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=26738363 . 2022-09-16 . 2022-09-16 . Newtown & Chilwell Football Club.
- News: Reynolds . Ryan . 2014-09-10 . Molly's jolly as she wins league crown . 50 . Geelong Advertiser.
- Web site: Colac and South Barwon stars tie for A-Grade Medal . AFL Barwon . 2 October 2024 . 24 September 2024.