Discussions around a return interleague meeting between representatives from the Geelong and District and Colac leagues were underway well before the final siren sounded on Monday’s thrilling clash at Winchelsea’s Eastern Reserve.
Result aside, the Raiders posted a seven-point win to claim the inaugural Hickey-Whitley Shield, GDFNL president Neville Whitley hailed the comeback of the concept a success.
With Geelong and District in action for the first time since 2019, the wet weather that dominated most of the King’s Birthday Weekend cleared in time.
“It’s interesting that people did come out and have a look, because you had the Big Freeze on TV as well,” Whitley said.
“The players really lived up to the game, because it was really tough right to the finish.
“The young guys seem to like it more than some of the older guys because they want to have a week off.
“But I think it’s here to stay now for at least a few years.”
Eastern Reserve was the ideal venue, with large crowds ringing the netball court for open-age and 17-and-under matches.
It’s likely to be the venue for next year’s clash, with discussion now centring around the scheduling.
GDFNL players, save for Anakie’s Oscar Barter, who turned out for Westerns in the South West District League on Saturday, enjoyed a weekend off.
While their CDFNL counterparts played a home-and-away match on Saturday.
“Our draw is always that we don’t play the King’s Birthday Weekend,” Whitley said.
“So whatever day that suits Colac, we’d probably fit in with it.
“I think a Saturday or a Sunday is probably better than a Monday because a lot of people are going to go back to work tomorrow.
“But we’ll sit down with our people and Colac people and discuss the draw and see where we can fit it in.”
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