GFL fixture tweaked for 2021 season

SEVERAL changes to the final 2021 Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL) fixture hae been made by AFL Barwon, following agreements between competing clubs.

The round one clash between Newtown & Chilwell and Leopold has been moved to April 17 from the originally fixtured April 18 to avoid a clash with Geelong’s home AFL fixture against North Melbourne.

The annual Pride Cup between the two sides that was originally scheduled to take place in Round 1 will now be played on the bye weekend beginning July 3 as a standalone fixture. The match will be played at Leopold Community Bank Oval on either the Saturday or Sunday, which will be determined once the rolling AFL fixture has been further confirmed. Both clubs will serve their bye the following week on July 10.

Geelong West and Lara’s fixture at West Oval in Round 12 has also been shifted to a night match from the traditional 2.10pm start time. This will avoid a clash with the GDFL senior fixture between Geelong West and Bell Post Hill at the same venue. The fixture will be the first GFNL match under lights at the newly redeveloped West Oval.

Newtown & Chilwell vs Leopold
Old date/time: Round 1, Sunday, April 18 at 2.10pm (Elderslie Reserve)
New date/time: Round 1, Saturday, April 17 at 2.10pm (Elderslie Reserve)

Leopold vs Newtown & Chilwell
Old date/time: Round 12, Sat, July 10 at 2.10pm (Leopold Community Bank Oval)
New date/time: Round 12 (Pride Cup), Saturday, July 3 or Sunday, July 4 at 2.10pm (Leopold Community Bank Oval), pending confirmation of the AFL’s rolling fixture over that period

Geelong West Giants vs Lara
Old date/time: Round 12, Saturday, July 10 at 2.10pm (West Oval)
New date/time: Round 12, Saturday, July 10 at night (time TBC) (West Oval)

The 2021 GFNL season begins across two Saturdays on April 10 and 17, with finals to begin on August 28.
For the full fixture, head to aflbarwon.com.au.