Coach Mark Neeld will only start talking finals when South Barwon can’t be shifted out of the GFNL top five.
The Swans took a giant stride towards a top five finish after outlasting St Joseph’s for a 15-point win at McDonald Reserve, maintaining a two-game buffer on sixth-placed Colac, which it faces next week.
After narrowly missing last year’s finals action despite posting 12 wins and a draw, Neeld knows South still has work to do if it’s to be at West Oval on the first weekend of September.
“The reason for that is twofold,” Neeld said.
“We have a number of what I would describe as developing players in our team.
“So, it’s really important that those players in particular understand how we want to play and continue to develop as individuals.
“We’re by no means cemented in the top five, so for us it’s about each quarter really what are the focus points that we have, how can we get better, so that’s where our mindset is at.
“We didn’t play finals last year, so if we were to get to that stage this year, we have to knock one of last year’s finalists out, and we’re only going to do that if we continue to have the attitude of getting better every week.”
Neeld, who is in his fourth season in charge of South Barwon, having previously coached St Joseph’s in 2004, says the standard of the match was impressive, a view shared by his Joeys counterparts.
“I thought today, and I had a really lengthy chat with Ronnie (Watt) and ‘Gowy’ (James Gow) after the game, it was one of the better games of football that all of us have been involved with,” he said.
“Now, that’s rated on contest, run, ball use, and what we considered to be a really high level and consistent scrambled defence.
“It was a bit windy at McDonald Reserve, which is often the case.
“It was a terrific game of football all day for four quarters.
“All the 44 players that played, I think they represented both clubs and the Geelong Football Netball League at the highest level they possibly could.”
South Barwon big man Ben Kellett had an entertaining ruck battle with St Joseph’s counterpart Eddy McCoy.
While talented youngster Zach Stevens showed why he’s played both with Geelong’s VFL team and the Geelong Falcons this year with a four-goal haul.
“Zach is a talent – that’s clear everybody knows that,” Neeld said
“Until this year he hadn’t played pathways football
“He’s a tremendous athlete. He is working really hard on the craft of being a small, high forward.
“Zach – and he admits this – he’s got a lot to learn about the game, but he’s arguably one of the most talented, raw, talented players in our competition at the moment.
“I would be presuming Zach will play a lot higher than the GFNL at some stage in his career.”
Andrew Boseley followed up his five-goal haul against Grovedale with another three majors, while defender Tom Bartlett and veteran Fraser Fort also impressed.
Mitch Chafer and Jack Jovanovic each kicked three goals for St Joseph’s, whose best also included Liam Kershaw and Cal Mitchell.
Joeys host North Shore at Plan Group Oval in Round 16.
SCOREBOARD – ROUND 15
St Mary’s (1st, 12-1) maintained its two-win buffer on top of the ladder after overcoming Bell Park (4th, 9-5 by 44 points at Hi Sushi Oval.
The Saints were slow to start against the breeze, held to just one goal in the first term to trail by nine points.
However, they outscored the Dragons 11 goals to three for the remainder of the contest to register a 12.18 (90) to 6.10 (46) victory.
Veteran Jaryd Garner and big man Lachy Peck were named the visitors’ best, and both kicked two goals.
Paddy Dowling returned from injury and finished with three majors.
Ollie Bridgewater and Mitch Mahady contributed two goals apiece for Bell Park, with Isaac Wareham and Jett Bermingham consistent performers across the afternoon.
Colac (6th, 8-6) kept alive its finals hopes after outlasting Leopold (7th, 7-7) by 21 points at Australian Lamb Company Stadium.
With the margin just four points at halftime, the Tigers kicked 4.3 to 1.3 in the third quarter to claim the ascendancy before holding on for a 13.7 (85) to 9.10 (64) victory.
In his first game back from injury, Jack Skinner was a standout for the Tigers, while Luke Hillman reminded everyone of his undoubted talent with his first five-goal haul of the season.
Darcy Brislane and Harry Morphet kicked two goals apiece for the Lions, who were best served by ruckman Kyle Bumpstead and veteran Marcus Thompson.
The loss leaves Leopold needing to win its remaining four matches to snatch an unlikely top five berth.
For the second time in 2026, Newtown & Chilwell (2nd, 10-3) feasted on North Shore (11th, 0-14), recording a 202-point victory at Jardon Oval.
The Eagles set the tone for the 37.15 (237) to 5.5 (35) victory with an 11-goal-to-one opening quarter.
Taj McMillan kicked six goals for the Towners, while Connor Fopiani, Jett Modola and debutant Hamish Codd added five apiece.
Harry Purcell contributed two majors for the Seagulls, whose best were Nick Mitzithras and Jordan Purcell.
St Albans (8th, 4-9) cruised to a 65-point win over Geelong West (10th, 2-12), 14.15 (99) to 5.5 (35), at St Albans Reserve.
Spearhead Tom Higgins kicked six goals to become the first player to pass 50 goals in the competition, taking his season tally to 55.
His first major of the afternoon also gave him 100 goals in a St Albans guernsey.
Debutant Marcus Moorse was among five individual goalkickers for the Giants.
Grovedale (9th, 4-9) had the bye.
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