The GFNL guns who will shapes the finals and premiership race
The top-five is heating up with just a win separating third from sixth. We look at the players who will be crucial to their side’s fortunes in the run home.
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The Geelong Football Netball League finals race is heating up and a host of stars will define what happens in the back-half of the year and in September.
Just four points separate third and sixth on the ladder as one unlucky side appears set to miss out on a finals berth.
St Joseph’s and St Mary’s are the clear frontrunners and Leopold appears to be the best of the rest at this stage.
Newtown & Chillwell and Geelong West are hanging on by a thread but both will need to be perfect from here and knock off some serious contenders to be any chance of making the top-five.
See who will shape the finals race.
1. St Joseph’s (11-0, 193.2 per cent)
Paddy De Grandi
16.3 disposals, 3.5 contested marks, 7.6 marks, 3.2 goals, 1.4 goal assists, 98.3 ranking points per game
De Grandi sits second in the league goalkicking with 35 majors and has set up another 15. He hasn’t just been beating up on lesser opposition either. The strong marking key forward kicked a bag of seven against Leopold, slotted five in their win over Colac and was pivotal in wins over South Barwon (four goals) and St Mary’s (3).
Jack Buckley
27.8 disposals, 20.2 kicks, 8.6 intercept possessions, 124.6 ranking points per game
You can’t miss him with his bright boots and headband, but his run and rebound off halfback is even more eye-catching. Buckley lifts for the big games, as he proved with a stunning Anzac Day display against South Barwon. The Joeys love getting the ball into his hands and he can also win it off the opposition, averaging 8.6 intercept possessions per game.
Olivier Northam
Third ranked player of the competition averaging 18 disposals, 136 points, 35 hit-outs, 13 contested, 7.5 clearances
The former Geelong Falcon was on the AFL Draft radar back in 2022 and you can see why. Northam acts as a fourth midfielder around the ground and at stoppages which makes him a serious weapon in the clinches. Still just 19, he is currently the third ranked player in the competition according to Premier Data. Northam managed to break even with Colac big man Zach Zdybel over the weekend – something few have been able to do this season.
2. St Mary’s (10-1, 304.1)
Harry Benson
29.3 disposals, 13.7 contested possessions, 4.9 inside 50s, 1.6 goal assists, 141.6 ranking points per game
If Benson’s form continues, he might add a third Mathieson Medal to his trophy cabinet. The Saints star is not only a prolific inside ball-winner, he also puts on relentless defensive pressure and creates scoring opportunities. He leads the league in clearances and goal assists and is ranks third for tackles. Leads a dominant St Mary’s midfield that will be hard to stop in the run home and in September.
Jarryd Garner
29.3 disposals, 9.7 score involvements, 7.2 clearances, 1.3 goals, 121.4 ranking points per game
Benson and Garner sounds more like a law firm than a midfield combo, but together they are arguably the best one-two punch in the competition. Garner wins the ball on the inside and has equalled his goalkicking tally from last season in the space of 10 games. The midfielder hurts with his possessions which makes him a serious concern for opposition sides.
Brayden Ham
25.6 disposals, 6.0 marks, 1.9 goals, 111.1 ranking points per game
The Saints would have been jumping for joy when he decided to part ways with Geelong VFL, and his impact has been profound. The former Essendon player provides the outside class and forward half influence that perfectly complements the Saints’ midfield grunt. Has kicked 17 goals in nine games for the Saints and has won plenty of the footy and used it well.
3. Leopold (8-3, 169.3)
Logan Wagener
30.4 disposals, 5.3 clearances, 5 marks, 122.5 ranking points per game
Wagener showcased his game-breaking ability on the biggest stage of all in Leopold’s premiership win last year and the Lions will need more of that to get separation from the chasing pack. The midfielder provides burst from congestion, is strong at the contest and creates scoring opportunities for his side.
Marcus Thompson
26.2 disposals, 11.7 contested possessions, 6.7 clearances, 120.1 ranking points per game
Thompson was the hot favourite to take out the Mathieson Medal in the pre-season but is ineligible after copping a one-week suspension. The selfless Lions skipper will be far more focused on ensuring his side goes back-to-back and his ball-winning at the source will be critical.
Tevan Nofi
10.6 disposals, 6.8 intercept possessions, 3.9 intercept mark, 69.6 ranking points per game
After earning a spot in last year’s GFNL team of the year, Nofi has continued his strong form in 2024. The athletic backman is so crucial to Leopold’s defensive structure and his exceptional reading of the play and vice-like hands make him one of the leading interceptors in the competition.
4. Bell Park (8-3, 112.95)
Ollie Bridgewater
32.0 hit-outs, 15.3 disposals, 5.0 tackles, 123.5 ranking points
Bridgewater helped South Warrnambool to a Hampden FNL premiership this year and he will be pivotal in Bell Park’s finals pursuits. He is currently sidelined with a knee injury but should return after the mid-season bye. The ruckman has been named in the best in five of his six games for the Dragons this season, highlighting his importance to their side.
Jack Sarcevic
18.4 disposals, 5.1 inside 50s, 1.5 goals, 86.6 ranking points
Sarcevic doesn’t need a lot of the ball to have a major say on a contest. Bell Park’s one-point victory over Newtown & Chillwell was the perfect example of that, winning the game off his own boot with five goals in the win. The son of local football legend Ray has serious x-factor and the Dragons will be hoping he can have some big games in the run home.
Lachie Patten
24.4 disposals, 6.9 clearances, 99.6 ranking points
Patten has been down a touch on his 2023 output, where he was named in the GFNL team of the year. The Dragons skipper was kept to just 16 touches by St Mary’s in round 10 and his side will need him at his best in the back-end of the season with tough match-ups against Colac, South Barwon and the Saints to come.
5. South Barwon (7-4, 162.9)
Fraser Fort
18.3 disposals, 8.0 marks, 3.7 goals, 107 ranking points per game
With Ben Kellett impressing in the ruck, Fort has proved to be more of a forward weapon this year, kicking 33 goals in nine games compared to 34 in 22 matches last season. The joint Mathieson medallist from last year may be forced to come up against ex-AFL player Ryan Abbott in the ruck after the bye with Kellett in concussion protocols. Whether he is in the ruck or up forward he will have a massive say on where they finish.
Jack Driver
17.1 disposals, 9.5 marks, 7.5 intercepts, 4.2 intercept marks, 0.8 goals, 104.2 ranking points per game
Driver has been a defensive force for South Barwon again this season, clunking the second-most intercept marks in the competition. He has also proved to be effective at the opposite end, kicking eight goals when swung forward. Arguably South Barwon’s most valuable player, Driver will be a key pillar as the Swans aim to go one better in this year’s finals.
Matt Caldow
13.9 disposals, 7.3 marks, 3.1 goals, 89 ranking points per game
Caldow is in red-hot form at the right time, booting 15 goals in his last four games – with four of those coming against Bell Park and three against Leopold. With the Swans sitting in the top-five on percentage, they will need the joint Mathieson medallist to keep piling on the goals in the back-half of the season.
6. Colac (7-4 151.9)
Zach Zdybel
36.5 hit-outs, 22.5 disposals, 14.0 contested possessions, 7.8 clearances, 0.8 goals, 158.2 ranking points per game
Zdybel is dominating every statistical category and shapes as a genuine Mathieson Medal contender despite ruckman often being overlooked for league best-and-fairests. But Zdybel is more of a midfielder than a ruck, ranking first for contested possessions and second for clearances this season. The competitive beast will be central to where they finish and how they go in the finals.
Adam Garner
16.3 disposals, 8.0 marks, 111.1 ranking points per game
Garner had gone to another level this season, leading the competition comfortably in goals and contested marks. The Colac spearhead has 10 more goals than any other player and while his output may reduce with Luke Hillman back in the side, he should benefit from less attention from the opposition.
Darcy Lang
17.7 disposals, 7.9 score involvements, 5.0 marks, 2.3 goals, 93.3 ranking points per game
The former Geelong and Carlton player’s AFL traits still shine through for Colac, delivering the ball on a platter for his teammates and making the right decision in just about every instance. Lang showed his matchwinning ability with four goals in a quarter against last year’s grand finalist South Barwon earlier in the year. Has been sidelined since round eight but will be key in the back-end of the season.
7. Newtown & Chillwell (4-7 102.7)
Braden Hocking
23.1 disposals, 9.8 intercept possessions, 8.6 marks, 8.3 rebound 50s, 4.9 one percenters, 134.9 ranking points per game
Hocking has been the intercept king of the GFNL in 2024, taking the most marks from opposition kicks in the competition and averaging close to 10 intercept possessions per game. The Newtown & Chillwell defender also gives the Eagles significant drive off halfback and is the fifth ranked player in the competition according to Premier Data.
Ned Harris
28.8 disposals, 12.3 contested possessions, 6.8 marks, 5.9 clearances, 129 ranking points per game
Harris has led the way at the coalface for Newtown & Chillwell this season and has been named in the best in eight of his 10 matches. The Eagles will need to pinch a win against St Mary’s or Colac in the next fortnight to be any chance of making the finals and Harris will need to be at the top of his game against their strong midfield groups.
Luke Maddock
12.3 disposals, 6.4 marks, 2.6 goals, 85.3 ranking points per game
Maddock has had to step up since Flynn Young was recalled to Werribee VFL and he managed to kick three or more goals against Bell Park, Geelong West and Leopold. Will be up against it with the Saints and Tigers to come, but some big hauls will go a long way in pulling off an upset.
8. Geelong West (4-7, 101.5)
Tanner Lovell
34.1 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 7.1 inside 50s, 8.0 clearances, 0.6 goals, 135.1 ranking points
Lovell has broke through for VFL games for the Cats this season and when he hasn’t been there he’s been dominating in the GFNL for the Giants. The ball-magnet has been named in the best in six of his eight games for Geelong West, including in the last fortnight against South Barwon and St Joseph’s. If the Giants are to make a finals charge, they need Lovell at his best.
Emmanuel Ajang
22.4 disposals, 10.8 contested possessions, 4.9 clearances, 0.9 goals, 114.3 ranking points
Ajang is another VFL listed Giant but he hasn’t featured at that level since round five. The Sudanese talent brings forward half impact and doesn’t need a stack of the footy to stand out. Another who will need to be playing his best footy for the Giants to have any hope of making finals.
Phil Moimoi
18.5 disposals, 4.8 marks, 1.3 goals, 81.3 ranking points
Moimoi has found himself back in the Giants side after a promising start to the season for Sydney’s VFL side. The Giants have Leopold and St Mary’s in their next three games as they aim to keep their season alive and the dynamic small forward is the kind of player who can help them pull off an upset. That is if he isn’t back in the Swans line-up.
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