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.<\/p>\n
South Barwon will seek to replicate what Leopold achieved in 2023 and win the GFL premiership through four finals victories.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“Outcomes take care of themselves when you focus on the process and that’s our mindset heading into Friday.”<\/p>\n
Leopold premiership captain Marcus Thompson said a 36-point loss to Bell Park sparked the group to get itself into gear.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Thompson said his side was looking forward to the fight on Geelong’s biggest football stage.<\/p>\n
“We’re incredibly proud to be in the position we’re in, there’s no doubt about it.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“It was a real sign of strength from the side to overcome those early struggles and start playing our best footy.<\/p>\n
“I’m incredibly proud of the group to get to another Grand Final and giving ourselves a shot at another premiership.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Lions are going for their third GFL flag.<\/p>\n
South Barwon is eager to add a ninth GFL premiership to the shelves at McDonald Reserve, having not won a Grand Final since 2013.<\/p>\n
Leopold and South Barwon take to GMHBA Stadium at 2pm for the pre-game proceedings, before the opening bounce at 2.10pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n