GFL Fixture 2023: St Mary’s, Leopold, Colac season revealed

A second-consecutive premiership defence will begin at home, while another side has circled round 3 in its calendar.

Football GFL: South Barwon v Grovedale Grovedale 12 Ryan Abbott Picture: Mark Wilson

St Mary’s will open its premiership defence with a home night game against St Joseph’s in the GFL, with league officials announcing the new season fixture on Thursday.

The Saints will be gunning for their third consecutive flag after defeating Colac in 2019 and Leopold last season.

The Lions will not have to wait long to seek revenge for the grand final loss, with Leopold set to travel to Anthony Costa Oval in round 3.

Former AFL coach Mark Neeld will make his South Barwon debut at home against Grovedale, while Bell Park’s new coach James Saker will also get a home game to start off his stint at the Dragons, facing St Albans in round 1.

Lara fans will have to wait until round 2 to witness the homecoming of Devon Smith, with the new Cats co-coach set to grace GFL fields in 2023.

Leopold will travel to St Mary’s in round 3. Picture: Mark Wilson

Newtown & Chilwell will host Leopold in round 5, with the clash set to be the first time these two sides face off since Lions forward Connor Giddings slotted a goal after the siren to break the hearts of Eagles players and fans in the preliminary final.

The league has fixtured in two competition-wide byes, with a scheduled break to fall between rounds six and seven as well as 10 and 11.

St Albans, which is looking for its first win in more than two seasons, will have early chances to break the drought against Bell Park in round 1, Lara in round 5 and St Joseph’s in round 7.

Round 18 is set to have several potentially season-defining clashes, with Leopold hosting Newtown & Chilwell, Grovedale against St Albans, Geelong West facing St Joseph’s, and South Barwon hosting Colac.

Finals are set to start on September 2, with the grand final to be played at an undetermined location on September 23.

Originally published as GFL Fixture 2023: St Mary’s, Leopold, Colac season revealed