BFL, GFL clubs shake off the dust in first scratch matches

THERE are weeks before the AFL Barwon’s men’s season begins, but that hasn’t stopped clubs from hitting the field.

Bellarine and Geelong Football League clubs have had their first tests as practice matches begin to fill the weekends.

Queenscliff has again returned to its favoured three-in-a-row practice match strategy.

Despite some limitations in player availability, head coach Heath Jamieson is pleased with how the cohort has come together in the past two weeks.

Cricket, injury and general unavailability has affected parts of the group.

“In an ideal world the 22 players that play round one would play all three practice matches leading in but we’re not going to get that now unfortunately,” Jamieson said.

“I’d like to think that probably 15 players that will play round one for us will play that three-game lead in which we think is pretty important.”

Those who haven’t made all three games will be expected to put in the extra work in the lead up to the Coutas first round game against Drysdale.

Jamieson said Queenscliff was expecting a tough run to being the year and after a disappointing finals campaign in 2025, the team had something to prove.

“We want to improve every year, it’s something that I’ve always tried to do with my teams,” he said.

“We’re pretty disappointed with our final series, which we probably weren’t quite ready for, so over the preseason we’ve added anyone that we think is going to make a difference to our team so.

“We’ve gone heavy with the recruiting at the top end that should come into the side and make us even better. We’ll be looking at contesting by the end of the year and I think we’re a side that can do that.”

Meanwhile, Grovedale had their first run after a disappointing 2025.

Head coach Jacob Spolding was primarily pleased to get through the game without any injuries but said he also enjoyed what he saw on field.

“These games are really important, they give a bit of validation to what we’ve been working on,” he said.

“It’s easy to see it against yourselves, but to see it against real opposition, I gives you some validation on what you’ve been working on so far, which is which has been pleasing.”

In charge of one of the youngest sides in the competition, Spolding is pleased with how the group has come together, particularly how well new recruits have found their feet in the side.

Round 1 in the Bellarine Football Netball League is scheduled for 3 April, with the Geelong Football Netball League beginning a week later on 11 April.