A blockbuster Easter Saturday matchup between 2023 grand finalists Torquay and Drysdale at McCartney Oval has been unveiled as part of a mouthwatering opening round to the Bellarine League season.
It will be the tenth time the combatants from the previous year’s decider have met in the first round of the following season since the competition started in 1971.
The most recent was when the Tigers faced Geelong Amateur to commence the 2018 season.
With Easter falling on the final weekend of March and games likely to be played on Good Friday (March 29), it will be the second-earliest start to a BFNL season in history, with only 2016 (March 26) starting earlier.
It is understood Portarlington has asked for its matchup with Newcomb to be on Good Friday again as it commences its 150th anniversary celebrations.
Modewarre and Geelong Amateur are also set to play on the Christian Holy Day for the third consecutive year, with a twilight clash at Community Bank Oval on the cards.
That would see Torquay and Drysdale joined by meetings between Queenscliff and Ocean Grove at the Couta Bowl and Barwon Heads-Anglesea at Howard Harmer Oval.
AFL Barwon has confirmed Saturday, September 7, as grand final day, avoiding a clash with the GDFNL.
The finals series will start on Saturday, August 17, after an 18-round home-and-away season that will feature byes on May 11 and July 6.
K rock Football understands the full fixture will be released by AFL Barwon later this week.
