AFL Barwon has announced a 20-round home-and-away fixture for the Geelong Football Netball League following the withdrawal of Lara from this year’s senior footy competitions.
The preferred option from the majority of clubs was to ensure all senior football and netball grades play an even number of matches across the season.
Senior and reserves football, A Grade netball and E Grade netball will each play 18 matches, with two byes incorporated into the season.
Adjustments have been made to ensure equity in home games and a balanced distribution of matches across the B, C and D Grade netball competitions.
Lara was forced to withdraw from this season’s senior and reserves football competitions with a severe shortage of numbers.
“It has been incredibly heartening to see the community rally around Lara, while also addressing the immediate need to deliver a revised fixture for the upcoming Blood Toyota GFNL season,” AFL Barwon chief executive Kate Patterson said.
“We greatly appreciate the understanding and cooperation shown by all clubs throughout this process. I’m proud of the way our team – particularly Sophie Allison (head of netball) and Sarah Naylor (head of football) – worked through multiple options with the league and clubs to reach the best possible outcome.
“With the fixture now confirmed, we can now look ahead to the 2026 season with confidence.”
There are four versions of the 2026 fixture being released: seniors and reserves football; A Grade netball; B, C and D Grade netball; and E Grade netball. The junior netball fixture will be finalised following confirmation of team entries.
The season will commence with a standalone game on 4 April between St Joseph’s and Leopold with a full round one on 11 April.
See aflbarwon.com.au for the updated fixtures.
