AFL Barwon moves start time to 1pm for GFNL final to avoid clash with Geelong final

Footy fans can now attend the GFNL preliminary final and Geelong’s preliminary final on the same day.

AFL Barwon has moved the GFNL finals. Picture: Mark Wilson

AFL Barwon has moved the start time for this week’s preliminary clash between St Joseph’s and South Barwon to allow footy fans the chance to catch a glimpse of the GFNL and Geelong’s AFL final.

Previously slated to start at the standard time of 2:10pm, clashing with Geelong’s 5:15pm AFL preliminary final, the bumper GFNL final will now kick off at West Oval at 1pm.

Geelong’s preliminary final contest against Brisbane at the MCG begins at 5:15pm, with Joeys and Swans supporters able to catch the V-Line from North Geelong station or drive up the highway without missing their hometown club.

The drive from West Oval to the MCG could take as long as an hour and a half in traffic which should give GFNL and Geelong fans enough time to attend both.

A scheduled 3:36pm train from North Geelong on Saturday arrives at Melbourne’s Southern Cross station at 4:38pm. Passengers can then catch a 4:44pm service towards Richmond station that arrives at 4:55pm, 20 minutes before the bounce.

The GFNL reserves preliminary final will take place at 10:45am, with the under-18s starting bright and early at 8:45am.

However, there will be no change to Geelong league netball finals, with South Barwon taking on Newtown & Chillwell in A grade at 2:30pm.

South Barwon consigned St Mary’s to its second consecutive straight-sets exit on Sunday with reigning Mathieson medallist booting a bag of seven goals.

Reigning premiers Leopold upset the previous undefeated St Joseph’s to advance to the GFNL grand final, which will be held at 2:10pm at GMHBA Stadium on Friday September 27.

Originally published as AFL Barwon moves start time to 1pm for GFNL final to avoid clash with Geelong final