2024 GFNL grand finalists South Barwon and Leopold will meet in a Sunday showdown as AFL Barwon confirmed three changes to this year’s fixture.
Originally scheduled on Saturday, May 24, the McDonald Reserve clash has been shifted to the following day.
It will be the first meeting of the two clubs since last year’s decider, where the Lions had the better of the Swans for the second straight year on grand final day, winning by 21 points at GMHBA Stadium.
South Barwon’s Round 3 meeting with Colac will be a twilight fixture at Central Reserve, giving the Tigers two games under lights early in the season after moving their Round 4 clash with Bell Park to Opening Round, Saturday, April 5.
The updated schedule also confirms the return meeting between Autumn Street rivals St Joseph’s and Newtown & Chilwell on the Sunday of the King’s Birthday Weekend, June 8.
The Eagles will host Joeys to open the 2025 season at the newly-named Jardon Oval (Elderslie Reserve) on Saturday, April 5, marking Geelong great Steve Johnson’s first game as coach.
The two clubs meet on the Sunday of the then Queen’s Birthday Weekend in 2022 and 2023, with both match-ups drawing big crowds at Drew Oval.
The other King’s Birthday Weekend adjustment is the meeting between St Mary’s and North Shore.
Scheduled for Sunday at Anthony Costa Oval, the clash has been moved to Saturday and will be played at Windsor Park, giving the Seagulls a 10th home game for the season.
Meanwhile, K rock Football understands Geelong West will use its Round 2 meeting with St Albans to mark the 50th anniversary of its VFA Division 1 premiership.
It is believed the Giants will wear the club’s jumper design of the day – white with a red GW monogram – when the Billy Goggin-coached Roosters defeated Dandenong by 28 points to claim the 1975 premiership in front of nearly 28,000 people at Junction Oval.
X: @krockfootball
