Newcomb’s request for an Anzac Day match as part of its 50th-year celebrations has been granted, with the Power to host Ocean Grove.
With the Grubbers’ support and AFL Barwon’s approval, the two clubs will meet under lights from 6:30pm at PlasterCom Oval in both senior football and A grade netball.
Power president Matt Farrow hopes the timing will allow those who have been to the other three matches across the region time to get to the venue.
“We’re really excited that they (AFL Barwon) have given us the opportunity, but also really excited and happy that Ocean Grove was prepared to support us,” Farrow said.
“I think it’s really important to have them buy-in, not only for Anzac Day, but because it’s our 50th-year celebration that weekend.
“We really wanted it to go over two days just because people are going to have to travel that don’t live locally anymore that may have been involved in the club some 25, 30 years ago.”
Newcomb will ask AFL Barwon to schedule its junior football teams at home the following day ahead of that evening’s half-century celebrations.
Following those matches, the Power will hold a ceremony to add names to its list of greats honoured when the club celebrated 40 years in 2016.
“We’ll have food and just make it a nice, relaxed atmosphere,” Farrow said.
“I really like the way Joey’s (St Joseph’s) did it the other year, and it was very family-orientated, and we’re really conscious of that.
“We’re conscious that to invite everyone, we need to cater to all age brackets now.
“Some of those players that would have played 50 years ago would be (in their) mid to late 70s now.
“We’re catering for that family environment, and then we’ll kick on later in the night with a DJ and party on for as long as we can.”
2026 Bellarine entrant Surf Coast will also have involvement on Anzac Day.
The Suns’ under-13, 15 and 17 division one and under-19 netball teams have taken Newcomb’s slots in those competitions.
In other AFL Barwon fixture news, the first meeting between GFNL grand final combatants South Barwon and Leopold has returned to Saturday, May 24, after being scheduled for the following day.
Colac’s Opening Round and Round 3 meetings with Bell Park and South Barwon have been confirmed as twilight fixtures, bouncing at 5:30pm.
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