South Barwon will face St Mary’s in Friday’s GFNL grand final after overcoming Bell Park by 23 points in today’s (Saturday) preliminary final.
The Swans booked a berth in their third decider in four years after posting a 9.12 (66) to 6.7 (43) victory at Scaada Stadium.
In a low-scoring affair, a 3.5 to 2.0 final term was enough for Mark Neeld’s charges to progress to a meeting with the Saints.
Captain Matt Caldow, Lewis Page and Tom Burke each kicked two goals for South Barwon, who lost the 2023 and 2024 deciders to Leopold.
Page and Burke were among the Swans’ best, along with ruck Ben Kellett and gun midfielder Doyle Madigan.
Talisman Jack Sarcevic kicked three goals for the Dragons, who were best served by Ollie Bridgewater, Kobe George and Darcy Melksham.
Meanwhile, South Barwon and St Mary’s will also do battle in the reserves decider after the Saints defeated Newtown & Chilwell.
And Ocean Grove won its way into a second straight AFL Barwon under-18 Division 1 grand final after defeating St Mary’s/.
The young Grubbers will face Newtown & Chilwell.
X: @krockfootball
South Barwon 2.1, 3.6, 6.7, 9.12 (66)
Bell Park 1.3, 2.4, 4.7, 6.7 (43)
Goals: South Barwon – M. Caldow 2, L. Page 2, T. Burke 2, M. Mawson, L. Elzinga, L. Noble
Bell Park – J. Sarcevic 3, M. Mahady, K. George, T. Pidgeon
Best: South Barwon – B. Kellett, L. Page, M. Caldow, D. Madigan, J. Driver, T. Burke
Bell Park – J. Sarcevic, O. Bridgewater, K. George, D. Melksham, F. Marris, E. Pearce
