GFL premiership decider returns to Cattery

THE Geelong Football League Grand Final returns to GMHBA Stadium today (Friday, September 27) for the first time in five years, with Leopold and South Barwon to go head-to-head for a second year in a row.

South Barwon will seek to replicate what Leopold achieved in 2023 and win the GFL premiership through four finals victories.

Swans captain Matt Caldow said last year’s loss to the Lions was something he moved on quickly from, directing his focus to getting back to the decider a year on.

“I think we’ve been playing finals footy for the past six to eight weeks, because making finals in that time was never guaranteed, so to get over those milestones as a group has been really important to us.

“It was obviously disappointing to lose a Grand Final last year, but I strip it back to what we can control and focusing on what the team needs from me, not so much what happened in the past.

“Outcomes take care of themselves when you focus on the process and that’s our mindset heading into Friday.”

Leopold premiership captain Marcus Thompson said a 36-point loss to Bell Park sparked the group to get itself into gear.

The Lions won five straight games from that point before losing to St Mary’s in Round 13, which then led to five more wins and heading into the finals with a double chance.

Thompson said his side was looking forward to the fight on Geelong’s biggest football stage.

“We’re incredibly proud to be in the position we’re in, there’s no doubt about it.

“A lot of work goes into getting to a Grand Final, there were certainly ebbs and flows, and a lot of hard conversations that were had earlier this season.

“It was a real sign of strength from the side to overcome those early struggles and start playing our best footy.

“I’m incredibly proud of the group to get to another Grand Final and giving ourselves a shot at another premiership.”

Leopold has secured wins in both encounters against South Barwon, defeating the Swans by 47 points in Round 10 and by 74 points in Round 15.

The Lions are going for their third GFL flag.

South Barwon is eager to add a ninth GFL premiership to the shelves at McDonald Reserve, having not won a Grand Final since 2013.

Leopold and South Barwon take to GMHBA Stadium at 2pm for the pre-game proceedings, before the opening bounce at 2.10pm.