Ins, outs and mergers: long-awaited fixture revealed

Six clubs will play in merged sides in the 2026 AFL Barwon’s women’s season, while two have dropped from the competition entirely.

The revelation comes following the long-awaited fixture drop for both the division 1 and 2 women’s competitions.

Twenty clubs will compete across the two leagues, including two newcomers in Portarlington Demons and Bell Park Dragons.

The Demons head into the season with confidence, nominating to play in division 1 alongside seven other clubs while the Dragons will play in the lower grade with the remaining eleven clubs.

Reigning top division premiers Geelong Amateurs will play Grovedale in a grand final rematch in round 5.

Three women’s games will be played on Anzac Day, including Portarlington who will host Geelong West in their first home match, aligning with the rest of the club’s traditional Anzac Day clash against Drysdale.

St Joseph’s and South Barwon also join their club’s Anzac Day traditions.

The division 1 sides each have two byes across the 16-round competitions.

Meanwhile in division 2, Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove, St Albans and Thomson, and St Mary’s and Geelong Amateurs will play as merged teams.

St Albans and Thomson underwent a mid-year merge in the second division last year with both clubs struggling to make numbers in the early rounds.

Thomson coach Kyle Tyrrell said in February the club had dropped to one team for the year and admitted to player number concerns at the time.

Ocean Grove re-launched their women’s program in late 2025 and re-enter the competition in collaboration with Barwon Heads, who will also have a standalone team in division 1.

St Mary’s and Geelong Amateurs also each have a division 1 side.

The division 2 competition will run over 15 rounds.

The fixture also reveals two clubs from 2025 season will not play again after North Geelong and Newtown & Chilwell did not nominate.

Full fixtures for both division 1 and 2 can be found at aflbarwon.com.au/fixtures-ladders