All eyes on Suns’ debut in historic Torquay Bowl

Torquay senior football coach Dom Gleeson and Surf Coast Suns inaugural senior coach Trent Rogers.

The Surf Coast Suns will make their long-awaited senior league debut in Round 1 of the 2026 Dow Bellarine Football Netball League, opening the season with a full day of clashes against cross-town rivals Torquay.

The fixture will mark the first edition of the Surf Coast Times Torquay Bowl, a new annual match-up celebrating the growing rivalry between the two clubs.

Hosted at Banyul-Warri Fields on Saturday 4 April, the inaugural Torquay Bowl will feature all grades of netball and both senior and reserve football matches, with plenty of local pride on the line.

It’s a historic occasion for the Suns, who enter the competition for the first time in 2026, and a major early test against an established neighbour with a strong supporter base.

AFL Barwon released the full 2026 BFL fixture this week, with the Suns–Tigers clash set to be one of the season’s headline openers.

Another major rematch arrives in Round 6 (Saturday 30 May), with 2025 football grand finalists Anglesea and Geelong Amateur meeting again at Ellimatta Reserve. Anglesea lifted the 2025 premiership with a 14.10 (94) to 12.9 (81) win.

On the netball court, Ocean Grove will host Geelong Amateur in Round 2 (Saturday 11 April) at Shell Rd Reserve — a replay of last year’s grand final thriller, won 34 to 33 by the Grubbers.

In the Geelong Football Netball League, Round 0 kicks off with St Joseph’s v Leopold in Lorne on Saturday 4 April. The 2025 grand final football rematch between St Mary’s and St Joseph’s follows in Round 3 (Saturday 9 May), after St Mary’s claimed the title 10.8 (68) to 7.13 (55).

Netball rivals Newtown & Chilwell and St Joseph’s will also meet again in Round 11 (Saturday 18 July) after Newtown’s 37 to 25 grand final win.

The GFL Grand Final will again take place on the AFL Grand Final public holiday, Friday 25 September.

2026 Dow Bellarine FNL Fixture – Full Fixture

2026 Blood Toyota Geelong FNL Fixture – Full Fixture

Visit aflbarwon.com.au/fixtures-ladders for full fixture details.