Former powerhouse, 2025 semi finalists withdraw from competition

A pioneering club for women’s football in the Geelong region will not field a team in 2026.

Following yo-yoing availability in 2025 and a reduction of player numbers heading into the coming season, Newtown & Chilwell Football Netball Club has not nominated a team AFL Barwon’s senior women’s competition.

Club president Aaron Keating said the decision is the result of compounding factors impacting player numbers including relocations due to work and study, conflicts with netball and movement of players between clubs within the competition.

Keating said the decision is disappointing but does not indicate a decline in the club’s commitment to female football.

“While that’s disappointing, our junior girl’s program has doubled in size in 2026 and, with strong numbers coming through, we are determined to have a senior women’s team back on the ground in 2027,” Keating said.

Newtown players still wishing to play this year have been supported to play in neighbouring clubs.

Keating said the club has been working with the league since the decision was made to not field a team.

“We’ve also had constructive discussions with AFL Barwon around the challenge of sustaining women’s teams across the region,” he said.

“As the competition grows, it’s important participation and retention keep pace, particularly through the transition from junior to senior football.

“Our focus now is building our junior girls’ pathway and supporting our players to continue playing in 2026 with neighbouring clubs.”

Newtown was the junior club for several AFLW players including Denby Taylor, Meg Lappin and Sara Howley.

The Eagles made it to a semi-final in 2025.

North Geelong has also withdrawn from the women’s competition after winning just three games in 2025.