Have your say: Which GFNL premiership side is the best of the 2000s?

There have been plenty of talented sides to grace the Geelong Football League this century. But which side is the very best of them? VOTE and have your say.

Bell Park captain Sam Talarico and coach Ken Hinkley with his son Jordan.

The Geelong region likes to think the GFNL is one of the strongest footy leagues in Victoria, and the stacked premiership sides of the last 25 years back-up that claim.

Geelong AFL sensations in Tom Stewart and Tom Atkins, VFL talents and local footy legends in the late Frank Fopiani are among the big names who have tasted premiership glory this century.

VOTE BELOW ON THE BEST GFNL FLAG SIDE OF THE 2000s

But which premiership side is the best of the 2000s?

No side has been more successful than South Barwon, who won eight premierships in the space of 12 years and has the chance to make it nine since 2000 when the Swans take on Leopold at GMHBA Stadium on Friday.

St Mary’s has held the cup aloft four times, St Joseph’s three in four seasons from 2015-18, Bell Park and Leopold has each won two, while North Shore, Lara and Colac each have one premiership.

With the grand final on our doorstep, we have put it in the hands of readers to decide which flag team is the best of the last 24 years.

Scroll down to see every premiership side from 2000-2023 and VOTE BELOW to have your say.

2000 – North Shore

North Shore 9.12 (66) defeated Lara 3.9 (27)

W.McElroy, S.Riddoch, P. Williams, W.Bower, D.Ryan, T.Hall, M.Kershaw, B.Nolan, S.Burn, D.Clark, M.Lewis, C.Chapman, M.Hildebrandt, J.Keast, T.Sennet, M.Atkins, T.Milsome, D.Warren (C), G.Keast, F.Fopiani, D.Beck, C.Huxtable

North Shore's 2000 premiership team. Picture: North Shore FC

2001 – South Barwon

South Barwon 16.15 (111) defeated North Shore 9.4 (58)

B: Adam Butler, Roy Pedretti, Dale Amos

HB: Haami Williams, Kane McKenzie, Leighton Richards

C: Warwick Knuckey, Travis Agg, Josh McCann

HF: Denis Pacor, Clinton Wells, Greg Wallace

F: Andre Borovic, Nathan Reid, Trent Marshall

Foll: Mick Bird, Tim Sherman, Simon Dandy

Int: Kent Agg, Travis Keys, Luke May, Simon Rau

2002 – Lara

Lara 17.14 (116) defeated St Joseph’s 13.14 (92)

B: Tim Cunningham Luke Phillips Craig Williams

HB: Adam Pyne Michael Sleeman Ben Patrick

C: Cameron Wright Shaun Ballans David Wall

HF: Paul Lynch Andrew Else John O’Brien

F: Shane Lowther (C) Zvonimir Suto Matthew Plowman

Foll: Luke Maher Troy Mitchell Aaron Langsworth

Int: Daniel Hughes Zane Nawrocki Jace Kelly

2003 – Bell Park

Bell Park DREW against St Mary’s 8.11 (59) apiece

REPLAY: Bell Park 14.6 (90) defeated St Mary’s 10.11 (71)

B: Barbaro Purcell Martin

HB: Ivisic Dillon Finn

C: Tresize Cohen Loftus

HF: Thomson McMahon Svorinich

F: Cross Russell Armstrong

Foll: Manczak. Talarico Gercovich

I: Burke Winter Farrar

Saints playing coach Frank Fopiani and Tom Gilligan hold the 2004 premiership cup aloft.

2004 – St Mary’s

St Mary’s 19.8 (122) defeated North Shore 14.11 (95)

B: D. Fletcher, M. Leith, M. Ryan

HB: M. Dyer, D. Sheridan, K. Roberts

C: J. Cail, F. Fopiani, M. Jackson

HF: B. Vincent, C. Jones, D. Geddes

F: K. Butcher, Z. Suto, M. Cheel

R: T. Gilligan, S. Schultz, S. Cox

Int: J. Walton, B. Greig, A. Pisano, J. Rowbottom, M. Shaw, J. McMahon

2005 – South Barwon

South Barwon 17.13 (125) defeated Newtown & Chillwell 14.10 (94)

#1 Leighton Richards #3 Jason Armistead #5 Warwick Knuckey (C) #6 Simon Rau #7 Mark Enright #8 Paul Sullivan #9 Daniel Hermans #16 Andre Borovec #17 Ryan Head #18 Clinton Wells #21 Dale Amos #23 Josh McCann (VC) #29 Nathan Bromley #32 Lee Purton #37 Trent Marshall #44 Tim Sherman #47 Kent Agg #55 Scott Thompson #56 Reece Woods #61 Glen Wallace

2006 – South Barwon

South Barwon 14.12 (96) defeated St Joseph’s 12.8 (80)

#1 David Cameron #4 James Garvey #5 Warwick Knuckey (C) #6 Luke Buckland #8 Paul Sullivan #9 Daniel Hermans #15 Craig McCaughan #16 Simon Rau #18 Clinton Wells #22 Craig Biddiscombe #23 Josh McCann #25 Jason Kerby #28 Ben Boseley #29 Nathan Bromley #33 Rhett Parsons #37 Trent Marshall #44 Tim Sherman #47 Kent Agg #55 Scott Thompson #56 Reece Woods #61 Glen Wallace

2007 – South Barwon

South Barwon 11.13 (79) defeated Bell Park 6.6 (42)

#1 Aaron Rau #2 Paul Corrigan #3 Jason Armstead #4 James Garvey #5 Warwick Knuckey (C) #6 Luke Buckland #7 Jarrod Westwood #9 Mark Corrigan #10 Aaron Wilson #14 David Cameron #15 Craig McCaughan #16 Simon Rau #18 Clinton Wells (VC) #21 Dale Amos #22 Craig Biddiscombe #23 Josh McCann #25 Jason Kerby #28 Ben Boseley #44 Tim Sherman #45 Adam Wiseman #61 Glen Wallace

Brothers Paul Corriogan and Mark Corrigan with the 2007 premiership cup.

2008 – St Mary’s

St Mary’s 21.15 (141) defeated Colac 5.12 (42)

B: J. Walton, M. O’Donohue, P. West

HB: A. Merriman, N. Hosking, C. Jones

C: T. Brown, S. Fletcher, B. Vincent

HF: J. Cail, A. McLean, J. Maddox

F: L. Woods, T. McLean, L. Bath

R: T. Gilligan, J. Casey, B. Lavars

Int from: B. Backwell, M. Dyer, D. Hoare, M. Madden, J. Morgan, C. Sanbrook, B. Snowdon

In: B. Backwell, M. Dyer, M. Madden, B. Snowdon

2009 – South Barwon

St Joseph’s 6.9 (45) defeated by South Barwon 15.12 (102)

Win loss (%): 17-1 (203.1)

B: M Burrell, M Trewhella, S Rau

HB: M Baker, A Wiseman, P Sullivan

C: T Maas, J.Kerby, M McKee

HF: D Kee, C Wells, J Westwood

F: P Corrigan, T Sherman, S Stavenuiter

FOLL: J Garvey, L Buckland, M Corrigan

INT: A Biemans, W Knuckey, J McCann, C McCaughan

South Barwon players celebrate the 2009 premiership — some of them having won five flags

2010 – South Barwon

Bell Park 7.13 (55) defeated by South Barwon 11.14 (80)

Win loss (%): 14-4 (167.6)

B: J Mawson, P Corrigan, C McCaughan

HB: L Buckland, S Stavenuiter, J.Kerby

C: M Barker, A Biemans, D Kee,

HF: M Herbison, C Wells, J Westwood

F: C Tutungi, A Wiseman, B Weadon

FOLL: M Macfarlane, M Corrigan, P Sullivan

INT: J Garvey, M McKee, A Rau, R Woods

2011 – Bell Park

Bell 11.12 (78) defeated South Barwon 11.6 (72)

Win loss (%): 16-2 (202.8)

B: S.Brown, R.McSparron, P.Waldron

HB:, J.Fitzgerald, D.Talbot, T.Sheringham

C: B.Armstrong, J.Sheringham, N.Batchelor

HF: J.Bright, S.Paulke, M.Bright

F: J.Graham, J.Rock, K. Bucovaz

FOLL: Z.Vali, M.Cuthill, T.Couch,

INT: B.Kennedy, C.Hallam, L.Kennedy, J.O’Connor

Bell Park celebrate their victory in 2011.

2012 – South Barwon

South Barwon 17.9 (111) defeated Bell Park 8.12 (60)

Win loss (%): 16-2 (183.3)

B: M Barker, P Corrigan, P.Hardy

HB: M Herbison, A Wiseman, B Weadon

C: J Edwards, J Westwood, J Kerby

HF: M Fisher, C Wells, T Stewart

F: I Baker, S Stavenuiter, A Biemans

FOLL: J Garvey, B Raidme, C Tutungi

INT: T Buchanan-Huhn, D Kee, T Maas, T Richards

2013 – South Barwon

South Barwon 13.16 (94) defeated Grovedale 12.2 (74)

Win loss (%): 17-1 (189.9)

B: M. Scarlett, R. Woods, J. Garvey

HB: M. Herbison, A. Wiseman, T. Stewart

C: J. Kerby, D. Hansen, T. Richards

HF: A. Biemans, P. Hardy, J. Edwards

F: L. Buckland, C. Wells, D. Roy

FOL: S. Stavenuiter, J. Duncan, J. Westwood

IN: M. Fisher, T. Maas, M. McKee, P. Sullivan

2014 – Colac

Leopold 11.13 (79) defeated by Colac 19.14 (128)

Win loss (%): 13-5 (139.5)

B: P. Presani, J. Dare, J. Rowan

HB: D. Feleko, A. Adams, L. Simpkin

C: M. Crook, R. Monaghan, J. Garner

HF: J. Linton, J. Carmody, K. Newton

F: K. Leersen, J. McGuane, L. Veale

FOLL: L. Dare, A. Kelly, M. Buchanan

INT: J. O’Dwyer, P. Seal, K. Smartt, T. Woodmason

2015 – St Joseph’s

St Joseph’s 13.15 (93) defeated Newtown & Chillwell 11.9 (75)

Win loss (%): 17-1 (208.9)

B: R. Kershaw, D. Carson, T. Littore

HB: D. Lovick, B. Capra, D. Measures

C: R. Ferguson, R. Williams, A. Hickey

HF: H. Foss, R. Hultgren, D. Gibbs

F: J. Davis, P. Carson, J. Macula.)

FOLL: L. Howe, J. Keras, T. Atkins

INT: R. Adams, P. Dreher, J. Hovey, B. Jackma

St Joseph's won the 2015 premiership. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

2016 – Leopold

St Mary’s 8.9 (57) defeated by Leopold 14.9 (93)

Win loss (%): 17-1 (204.3)

B: G. Hardy, J. Larcombe, M. Thompson

HB: N. Bourke, J. McHenry, J. Walker

C: B. Howarth, J. Thompson, S. Hughes

HF: M. Patten, S. Scott, L. Wagener

FP: B. Carmichael, S. Close, A. Moloney

FOLL: J. Berry, M. Pitt, M. Miller

K. Bourke, D. Keast, J. Lothian, A. Pepper

2017 – St Joseph’s

St Mary’s 9.7 (61) defeated by St Joseph’s 18.16 (124)

Win loss (%): 18-0 (252.5)

B: J. Hickey, Z. Morison, B. McNamara

HB: D. Measures, D. Lovick, C. Mitchell

C: R. Ferguson, J. Macula, B. Rees

HF: A. Hickey, C.Tudor, R. Hultgren

F: J. Davis, L. Featherstone, K. Paliouras

FOLL: B. Capra, B. Haintz, B. Moloney

INT: R. Adams, J. Buckley, R. Kershaw, J. McLachlan

2018 – St Joseph’s

St Mary’s 11.11 (77) defeated by St Joseph’s 13.8 (86)

Win loss (%): 14-4 (177.5)

B: J. Hickey, Z. Morison, B. McNamara

HB: D. Measures, C. Mitchell, L. Webb

C: R. Ferguson, J. Macula, B. Rees

HF: J. Davis, C. Tudor, J. McLachlan

F: L. Anderson, B. Capra, R. Kershaw

FOLL: J. Hovey, B. Haintz, A. Hickey

INT: J. Allen, J. Buckley, P. Dreher, C. McCarthy

St Mary's players Ryley Hall (14), Damian McMahon (16) and Harry Benson (9) celebrate their 2019 grand final win. Picture: Alan Barber

2019 – St Mary’s

Colac 10.12 (72) defeated by St Mary’s 10.14 (74)

Win loss (%): 12-6 (140.8)

B: J. Jaska, R. Hall, H. Ling

HB: J. Travaglini, T. McMullan, J. Welsh

C: M. Copley B. Moloney, D. McMahon

HF: D. McMahon, T. Lang, B. Pritchard

F: P. Dowling, K. Reid, J. Garner

FOLL: A. Banjanin, H. Benson), J. Blood

INT: M. Augerinos, D. Bond, N. Connors, H. McMahon

2020 and 2021

No premierships awarded due to Covid

2022 – St Mary’s

St Mary’s 13.13 (91) defeated Leopold 6.10 (46)

Win loss (%): 16-2 (167.8)

B: Jesse Travaglini, Ryley Hall, Joshua Jaska

HB: Damian McMahon, Charlie Sprague, Kade Chalcraft

C: Max Augerinos. Harry Benson, Harrison Ling

HF: Harrison Kol. Trent McMullan, Matthew Keast

F: Jarryd Garner, Tom Lang, Patrick Dowling

FOLL: Nick Nott, Ben Moloney Jack Blood (C)

INT: Keidan Rayner, Zak Sherman, Nicholas Connors, Joe Maishman

Leopold after winning the 2023 premiership. Picture: Mark Wilson

2023 – Leopold

South Barwon 6.8 (44) defeated by Leopold 13.16 (94)

Win loss (%): 13-5 (144.0)

B: Billy Ritchie, Jye Cross, Tevan Nofi

HB: Mitchell Burgess, Harris Jennings, Daniel Pitcher

C: Luke Justin, Marcus Thompson (C), Andrew Pepper

HF: Samuel Scott, Mitchell Patten, Brock Williamson

F: William Kilpatrick, Trent Thompson, Connor Giddings

FOLL: Trent West, Oliver Tate, Logan Wagener

INT: Rob Maibaum, Riley Stone, William Sheahan, Jett Mathews

Originally published as Have your say: Which GFNL premiership side is the best of the 2000s?