The Bellarine Football Netball League (BFNL) is an Australian rules football and netball competition based in the Bellarine Peninsula region of Victoria, Australia. Established in 1971 as the Bellarine & District Football League, the competition was formed out of the ashes of the Polwarth Football League, which had six of its former teams join.
The competition was renamed the Bellarine Football League in 1986, and finally the Bellarine Football Netball League in 2011 when the local netball competition was administratively aligned with the football competition for the first time. Prior to 2011, netball clubs competed in a competition overseen by the Bellarine District Netball Association.
The BFNL forms the second tier of football in the Geelong area, along with the Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL) and the Geelong & District Football League.
In March 2024, following extensive consultation[1] AFL Barwon detailed a plan for expanding the BFNL to 12 teams from 2025 with a path for a team to accept an invitation for promotion to the GFNL, replacing a club that would then be relegated from the GNFL.[2]
Clubs
Current clubs
8km
5miles
Torquay
Queenscliff
Portarlington
Ocean Grove
Newcomb
Modewarre
Geelong Amateur
Drysdale
Barwon Heads
Anglesea
Future clubs
Former clubs
Premiers
Senior football
A Grade netball
Individual awards
Senior football
Les Ash Medal
The Les Ash Medal, named after the late longtime Bellarine football administrator, is presented to the league's best and fairest player at the conclusion of the home-and-away season. It was first named after Ash in 1989; previously it was known simply as the best and fairest medal. Two players have won the award on four occasions – Modewarre's Josh Finch, whose honours spanned seven seasons throughout the 2010s, and Torquay's James Darke, whose period of success overlapped with Finch to claim the award across nine seasons. Both Finch and Darke are also members of a group of five players who have won the award in consecutive seasons.
Leading Goalkicker Award
The Leading Goalkicker Award is presented to the player who has kicked the most goals at the conclusion of the home-and-away season. Barwon Heads' Stephen "Chooka" Piec, described as "a poster boy for the Bellarine in its formative years", holds the record for the most titles (four). The magical century-mark of goals has been reached 14 times throughout the regular season. Dominant Torquay forward Wayne Tyquin's three-year run of 349 cumulative goals from 1997 to 1999 capped off a five-year consecutive period where the league had at least one centurion. Overlap between the Leading Goalkicker Award and the Les Ash Medal is rare; only two players (Torquay's Mark Browne in 1986 and Geelong Amateur's Mitch Day in 2015) have collected both honours in the same season.
A Grade netball
Best & Fairest Award
Hot Shot Award
Bibliography
- Cat Country – History of Football In The Geelong Region – John Stoward – ISBN 9780957751583
Notes
- ^ a b c d Only 12 games were played due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
- ^ Drysdale's Ben Fennell polled 22 votes to lead the count, but was ruled ineligible due to a reprimand he received for an incident in the Hawks' round 17 match against Torquay.
References
- ^ "AFL Barwon Future of Football & Netball Project Statement - Senior Male Football & Senior Netball". AFL Barwon. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ King, Tom (28 March 2024). "Non-mandatory promotion adopted by AFL Barwon". Krock Football. Geelong Broadcasters Pty Limited. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw "Bellarine Football League - Premiers" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw "Bellarine Football League - Best in Grand Final" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ "Queenscliff ends premiership drought". Geelong Advertiser. 19 September 2011. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ^ "Barwon Heads defeat Torquay to win Bellarine Football League grand final". Bellarine Times. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Voogt, Luke (9 June 2020). "Geelong footy season cancelled". Geelong Independent. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ a b van Oorschot, Vinnie (19 September 2021). "AFL Barwon sounds the final siren on 2021". Geelong Times. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ "BFL Scoreboard". Krock Football. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ van Oorschot, Vinnie (9 September 2023). "Tigers redeemed in GF win over Hawks, legend calls time". Surf Coast Times. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ van Oorschot, Vinnie (7 September 2024). "Tigers go back to back after thrashing Roos in Grand Final". Surf Coast Times. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "BFLN Premiers" (PDF). AFL Barwon. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ Green, Bradley (12 September 2011). "History in the making Warriors' flag a reward for effort". Geelong Advertiser. p. 16.
- ^ Oates, Alex (10 September 2012). "Victory fuelled by Rice". Geelong Advertiser. p. 15.
- ^ Ryan, Jemma (9 September 2019). "Torquay clinches thriller". Geelong Advertiser. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020.
- ^ Ryan, Jemma (8 September 2014). "Perfect finale as Ammos take title". Geelong Advertiser. p. 28.
- ^ "Double reward for Keisha". Geelong Advertiser. 14 September 2015. p. 27.
- ^ Reynolds, Ryan (29 August 2016). "Jess the best, and she almost missed season". Geelong Advertiser. p. 34.
- ^ Ryan, Jemma (14 September 2017). "Warriors take the flag in commanding style". The Echo. p. 35.
- ^ "AFL Barwon - Modewarre A Grade Premiers". Facebook. 11 September 2018. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ "AFL Barwon - BFNL A Grade Premiers Torquay 38 Def Geelong Amateur 25 Best on Court - Courtney Cuolahan - Torquay". Facebook. 14 September 2019. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ "2022 Dow Bellarine FNL A Grade". playhq.com. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ Nash, Ollie (3 September 2022). "Geelong Amateur is the BFNL's 2022 A Grade premiers". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ van Oorschot, Vinnie (9 September 2023). "Grubbers battle on without star defender to claim A Grade flag". Geelong Times. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "Ocean Grove prevails in tough contest". Geelong Independent. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ van Oorschot, Vinnie (7 September 2024). "Grubbers end Ammos' perfect season to repeat as premiers". Bellarine Times. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an "BFL Best & Fairest - Senior Best & Fairest (Les Ash Medal)" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ Auciello, Michael (2 September 2010). "Modewarre star wins thrilling BFL vote count". Geelong Advertiser. p. 36.
- ^ Wade, Nick (8 September 2011). "Chaplin-Burch eyes premiership medal". Geelong Advertiser. p. 51.
- ^ Football & Netball Geelong 2012 Annual Report. Adcell Group. 3 December 2012. p. 43.
- ^ Oates, Alex (5 September 2013). "Modewarre star collects third award". Geelong Advertiser. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020.
- ^ Rooth, Meagan (4 September 2014). "Torquay mid wins BFL medal". The Echo. p. 42.
- ^ Auciello, Michael (9 September 2015). "Day wins in a nailbiter". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Wade, Nick (24 August 2016). "Four-time Finch's record Les Ash win". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Up among the best". Ocean Grove Voice. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b King, Tom (4 September 2018). "Dyer and Bews tie for medal". Surf Coast Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b King, Tom (4 September 2019). "Gleeson and Meesen share Ash". K rock Football. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Darke notches up third best and fairest win". Geelong Independent. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ van Oorschot, Vinnie (17 August 2022). ""A massive honour": Darke acquires fourth Les Ash Medal". Bellarine Times. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ van Oorschot, Vinnie (6 September 2023). "Barwon Heads ruck secures B&F in contentious count". Geelong Times. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ King, Tom (4 September 2024). "Matt's medal! Tiger takes home Ash". K Rock Football. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq "BFL Goalkickers - Senior Leading Goalkickers" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "2014 AFL Barwon Annual Report" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2014.
- ^ a b c "2015 AFL Barwon Annual Report" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "2016 AFL Barwon Annual Report" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "2017 AFL Barwon Annual Report" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "2018 AFL Barwon Annual Report" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "2019 AFL Barwon Annual Report" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ a b "2021 AFL Barwon Annual Report" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ May, Brayden (16 August 2022). "Local and country footy: Victoria's top goalkickers of 2022 named". The Melbourne City News. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ Forrest, Matthew (5 September 2023). "Les Ash Medal predictions and best chances revealed". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ van Oorschot, Vinnie (4 September 2024). "Torquay midfielder joins elite company with Les Ash win". Geelong Times. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ a b "BFLN Best and Fairest" (PDF). AFL Barwon. 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ Wade, Nick (8 September 2011). "Drysdale shooter wins award". Geelong Advertiser. p. 51.
- ^ Reynolds, Ryan (6 September 2012). "O'Connor nets the B&F". Geelong Advertiser. p. 35.
- ^ a b Oates, Alex (5 September 2013). "Midcourt marvel's zest for best". Geelong Advertiser. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020.
- ^ Reynolds, Ryan (5 September 2014). "Salter lands best and fairest". Geelong Advertiser. p. 53.
- ^ Reynolds, Ryan (10 September 2015). "Gunning's glory in a thriller". Geelong Advertiser. p. 35.
- ^ Young, Lachie (25 August 2016). "Comeback kid wins award". Geelong Advertiser. p. 34.
- ^ "Barwon Heads star wins Premier Division medal". AFL Barwon. 24 August 2017.[dead link]
- ^ "BFNL A Grade Best and Fairest". AFL Barwon. 29 August 2018. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ Young, Lachie (5 September 2019). "BFL Netball 2019: Geelong Amateur stalwart Ashlea Salter claims best-and-fairest in emphatic fashion". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Team of the year revealed". Ocean Grove Voice. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ a b van Oorschot, Vinnie (17 August 2022). ""Super shocked": Couta captain beats all in best and fairest". Bellarine Times. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ van Oorschot, Vinnie (6 September 2023). "Coutas captain goes back-to-back in best and fairest". Geelong Times. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Rivalland, Nathan (4 September 2024). "A Grade best and fairest honours shared". Geelong Times. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ Cooke, Nikki (9 September 2011). "A Grade Hot Shot Winner". Football & Netball Geelong. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ "Football & Netball Geelong 2012 Annual Report". Issuu. 3 December 2012. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ Young, Lachie (30 August 2018). "Ollis stamps herself as league's best". Geelong Advertiser. p. 35.
- ^ Nannestad, Klaus (5 September 2019). "Grove's great Scott wins BFNL top goal scorer award". Bellarine Times. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Ruby Watson | Public Profile". PlayHQ. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
External links
- Official website
- Bellarine Football League at AustralianFootball.com
- Leopold Lions (information about former teams)
- Football Geelong (information on home grounds and colours)
- Geelong & District Football League (information on Winchelsea FC)