Last year’s Geelong Football League grand finalists, Leopold and South Barwon, failed to make this season’s finals.
Newtown & Chilwell (2nd) and Colac (3rd) replaced the two combatants from the 2024 decider in the finals series after the final home and away round on Saturday August 30.
Newtown & Chilwell’s loss to St Mary’s means the Eagles slipped to 2nd spot on the ladder, replaced by St Joseph’s, which had a 69-point win against Geelong West and will get a rest during week one of the finals, which begins on Saturday September 6.
St Mary’s and Bell Park held on to their spots in the top five with wins against Newtown & Chilwell and Leopold respectively. Only percentage separated teams three to five on the ladder.
Lara took until the final round to notch its first win of the season with another thriller against North Shore. This time the Cats won by six points with Tom Gunther booting five goals while Jason Davenport kicked six for the Seagulls.
There were some big hauls on the goalkicking front with South Barwon’s Jonty Broughton (nine) and St Mary’s Sam Bourke (seven) the best of the round.
QUALIFYING FINALS
Saturday September 6, West Oval, Geelong West
Seniors: Newtown & Chilwell vs Colac, 2.10pm
Reserves: St Joseph’s vs South Barwon, 11.45am
Under 18 Division 1: St Joseph’s vs Torquay, 9.45am
ELIMINATION FINALS
Sunday September 6, West Oval, Geelong West
Seniors: St Mary’s vs Bell Park, 2.10pm
Reserves: Bell Park vs St Mary’s, 11.45am
Under 18 Division 1: Ocean Grove vs Geelong West, 9.45am
