GFL Grand Final 2023: Mark Neeld backs young South Barwon side to respond as Fraser Fort headlines 41 re-signings

It was a disappointing grand final display for South Barwon, but Mark Neeld believes his side will only get better. Plus, a superstar is among a long list of players locked in.

Mark Neeld is backing the young Swans to be back better than ever next year. Picture: Mark Wilson

South Barwon coach Mark Neeld has strongly backed his players to be back bigger and better in 2024 after a disappointing 50-point loss to Leopold in the GFNL grand final.

The Swans were the surprise packets of the GFNL season under Neeld, winning nine games in a row to surge into the decider, with that stunning streak bookended by two defeats to Leopold.

Neeld conceded that grand final day was the only match this season that the Swans had been uncompetitive, scoring just one goal to Leopold’s eight in the first half as South Barwon were “completely outplayed.”

He believes the narrative should centre on Leopold’s incredible performance rather than the Swans’ shortcomings, lauding Leopold’s fast ball movement and strong work at the contest that they were unable to stop.

With a young and hardworking grand final side that boasted just four players aged 25 and over, Neeld is confident that the Swans will improve next year.

It comes as the Swans have secured the signatures of Mathieson Medal winner Fraser Fort and midfielder Doyle Madigan, who were first and second in their best-and-fairest count.

Football director Shane Madigan and list manager Brendan Curry have been hard at work, with 41 Swans from their senior and reserves side now locked in for 2024.

Fraser Fort (right) has re-signed. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I think we had four players (Saturday) over the age of 25. Now, just simply getting older doesn’t guarantee that you will get better but I’ll back this group in given that over the past 12 months seeing their work ethic and their desire to get better,” Neeld said.

“And if that continues, and I’m sure it will, we will be a better side in years to come. Does that guarantee you finals success? No it doesn’t, but we will be a better side for this year, no question.

“They got numbers to the ball, they were outstanding in the contest and they had the momentum all day because of that. They completely outplayed us and hats off to them.

“For us, at the time and also looking back it was certainly Leopold’s day and certainly the narrative should be about congratulating them on the way that they played.”

While there were no expectations placed on the group this year besides gradual improvement, Neeld said he is proud of what they have achieved against strong competitors in the GFNL this year.

“Our expectations were to try to go into every training session and every game and be a little bit better at something than we were the previous week. That didn’t happen yesterday, but the other games we felt this year that we were competitive in every game except grand final day” Neeld said.

“In terms of the group I think we finished second, in a really strong community football competition. And finishing second to that Leopold team yesterday is a really good effort.

“We made finals, we bookended two losses to Leopold and between that we had nine wins – a couple against Colac, a couple against St Mary’s, Newtown, St Joseph’s – so there’s a lot to like here.

“We are certainly aware that it didn’t stand up on grand final day this time, but we will got to work over summer and see how we can continue to improve next season.

Originally published as GFL Grand Final 2023: Mark Neeld backs young South Barwon side to respond as Fraser Fort headlines 41 re-signings