South Barwon coach Mark Neeld says the future looks bright at McDonald Reserve
Twelve months after a GFNL decider which was over at quarter time, South Barwon Mark Neeld says there are big signs his Swans are heading in the right direction despite another grand final loss.
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South Barwon coach Mark Neeld is confident his young team is on the right track despite the sting of a second successive GFNL grand final loss to September nemesis Leopold.
Twelve months after being blown off the park at Leopold – with the contest arguably over by the first break – the Swans absorbed the blows of four consecutive Lions goals to reclaim the lead in a spirited fightback in the second quarter at GMHBA Stadium.
And with perhaps a pinch of luck, the margin could have been even closer than 21 points by the final siren, as gun forward Fraser Fort got involved after a quiet three quarters.
Speaking to this masthead after the game, Neeld thought last year’s decider was probably over at quarter time.
However, a year later, he was proud his young charges were able to stay in the contest but ultimately disappointed with the result.
The scoreboard shows the Swans scored in surges but were arguably held at arm’s length after half time.
“(I’m feeling) mixed emotions in that I’m extremely disappointed that we walk away on grand final day having been beaten, there’s also some realism that says we are improving as a group,” Neeld said.
“Everybody knows with young groups in particular … consistency is what you’re after.
“At the moment, Leopold can go harder for longer. We can go hard against them for probably bursts.
“It was a very good contest, Leopold, deserved winners.
“The challenge over the next few years is to continue that so it’s us that can go a bit (harder for) longer.”
Neeld pointed to the youth of his team, and with the reserves also winning their second flag in three years, the future was bright at McDonald Reserve.
“Leopold to us, obviously bat really deep,” he said.
“We don’t quite bat that deep yet.
“I think we had nine teenagers or thereabouts out there today.
“Twelve months down the track, we’re better. We have to go back to work over summer to be better again in 12 months (time).”
Meanwhile, Neeld said the fans “voted with their feet” with more than 10,000 people attending the game.
Mark Neeld’s classy post-match speech
He might not have claimed the GFNL flag, but South Barwon mentor Mark Neeld would have won plenty of admirers on Friday at GMHBA Stadium.
Neeld delivered one of local footy’s classiest grand final speeches after his Swans went down in a decider for the second year in a row.
Taking to the dais after a 21-point defeat at the hands of Leopold, who went back-to-back for the first time in their GFNL history, Neeld was extremely generous towards his former teammate in Lions mentor Garry Hocking, drawing hearty applause from thousands in the grandstand.
“To ‘Buddha’ and to Marcus (Thompson) and to Logan (Wagener), you’re hard to hate,” Neeld said.
“I don’t enjoy finishing second but I’ve just got a feeling in time people will look back and (think) finishing second to you blokes is ... ‘Yeah, you’re pretty good’.
“Buddha to you, mate ... I don’t know if it was a privilege or an honour a long long time ago as a young fella ... to have a front-row seat .. and (see) how well you played (at Geelong).
“You’re footy royalty, I hope for the game itself, you’re not lost to the game.
“I’ve enjoyed locking horns with you.
“Thank you for everything you do for the game, I hope this is not the last time we see you.”
Neeld also praised his team’s efforts.
“Boys, hold your heads high, it was a better contest than what it was last year,” he said.
“I think I’m supposed to say something like: ‘We’ll be back’.”
Meanwhile, the Swans mentor also thanked AFL Barwon and Kardinia Park Stadium Trust for bringing the GFNL grand final back to GMHBA Stadium for the first time in five years.
“A big thank you to the 10,000 plus people that turned out, that’s great support for community footy,” Neeld said.
“The fact that we can get this game at Kardinia Park I think is absolutely fantastic, let’s make sure they invite us back.”
Ultimate success isn’t far away says captain
Swans captain Matt Caldow said his side’s ability to withstand an early assault in the grand final showed the 2024 version of South Barwon was a far more resilient bunch.
After Fraser Fort put the Swans on the scoreboard early, the Lions hit back hard with four majors on the spin and some South Barwon fans might have been thinking “not again” after last year’s fizzer which was over by half time as the Lions enjoyed a 49-point buffer.
However, 12 months on, the Swans managed to take the blows, regroup and eventually reclaim the lead after Lachlan Noble converted in the second term.
After the match with a glass of red in hand, Caldow said some of the Lions players had suggested it might be a case of deja vu as they threw some heavy offensive punches in the first term.
“They certainly reminded us of that, as they should,” Caldow said.
While disappointed, Caldow was proud of his players’ efforts.
“I think it shows improvement,” he said.
“The last four or five times we’ve played Leopold we’ve been taught a lesson, so it was nice to draw closer (today).
“There’s an element of pride ... but we don’t shy away (from the fact) we’ve got some work to do.
“That’s why they’re the premiership side, they bat really deep, their midfielders are experienced.
“They’re a great side and credit to them.”
He said South Barwon was a work in progress with a raft of young players, plus some great new additions year in Patrick Kelly and Blair Huggins.
“The belief has grown in our group, game by game, week by week,” he said.
“We take the philosophy into next year, just get better and better.”
And while the seniors ultimately fell short at the final hurdle, the reserves won their second flag in as three seasons while the Swans had multiple grand final appearances through its netball program.
“It’s such a special place,” Caldow said, who will spend a week in the Philippines with his partner to unwind.
“There’s a lot to celebrate. For us, success isn’t far away.”
Caldow thanked the Swans fans for their consistent support in 2024.
“Thanks for sticking by us, I’m sure it will come,” he said.
“We’ve got to all rally around each other.”
Caldow, one of Geelong footy’s warmest personalities, said he was a proud third of an unofficial red wine club with senior coach Mark Neeld and defender Jack Driver.
“Jack and ‘Neeldy’ started it, Neeldy buys the wine, Jack brings the glasses and I’m the third party,” he said.
“I’m just lucky to be in the three I think, I don’t drink too much but happy to be involved.”
Originally published as South Barwon coach Mark Neeld says the future looks bright at McDonald Reserve
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