New season, new stakes in GFL

AS the pre-season dust settles, the Geelong Football League returns in full this weekend, following a 2025 campaign that produced one of the tightest ladder finishes in its history.

ST MARY’S

St Mary’s enters 2026 as the reigning premier after a fairytale finals run, and looks well placed to mount a serious back-to-back tilt.

The Saints have strengthened their depth over the off-season while retaining the core of their premiership side, with the return of Harry Benson – back after a year in the Queensland Australian Football League – providing a significant boost.

ST JOSEPH’S

The 2025 minor premiers went in as strong premiership fancies but were overrun by a surging St Mary’s outfit on grand final day.

A handful of key departures from that side means Joeys will unveil a fresh look in 2026, with James Gow stepping into a joint head coaching role alongside Ron Watt.

Despite the turnover, the additions of Francesco Posterino and Mal White bolster their depth, and they remain firmly in the mix for a top-five finish.

COLAC

The Tigers fell agonisingly short of a grand final berth and look well placed to build on an impressive first season under Seb Ross. It has been a relatively quiet

off-season compared to other sides, but strong retention and the addition of veteran Ethan Liddle have them firmly in the premiership frame again.

NEWTOWN & CHILWELL

Led by Steve Johnson in his first season at the helm, the Eagles emerged as one of 2025’s surprise packets, charging through to a preliminary final. Another year of development into their young core should hold them in good stead, while the addition of fresh faces such as Daniel Lowther adds further strength to an already rising squad.

BELL PARK

Bell Park scraped into fifth and bowed out to eventual premiers St Mary’s in the elimination final, but their broader body of work was strong, recording wins over every other finals side bar St Joseph’s.

The Dragons have been edging closer each year, and with a host of key players recommitting for 2026, this shapes as a genuine opportunity to take the next step.

 

SOUTH BARWON

The Swans were historically unlucky to miss finals last season and will enter 2026 with real edge because of it.

They return with a largely unchanged core, strengthened by the addition of talent such as Hamish Sinnott, and loom as genuine premiership contenders.

LEOPOLD

A changing of the guard looms for the Lions, following the departure of several premiership heroes from their 2023-24 back-to-back run.

An injection of young talent has bolstered their depth, while the signing of star midfielder Darby Henderson stands out as one of the off-season’s biggest coups.

They may need to pinch a few upsets, but loom as a side firmly in the finals conversation early.

ST ALBANS

The Supersaints were among the busiest clubs this off-season, bringing in a host of established talent from across the region and beyond to strengthen their depth. It leaves them well placed to take a meaningful step towards realising their long-held finals ambitions.

GEELONG WEST

After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Giants head into a new era under experienced coach Chris Browne. They may still sit a rung below the leading contenders, but have enough about them to trouble sides and pinch a few upsets.

GROVEDALE

The Tigers finished third-last with just four wins in 2025 and will lean into a young, development-focused list this season. Progress is more likely to come in steady, incremental gains.

NORTH SHORE

A final-round loss to Lara consigned the Seagulls to the wooden spoon after a long 2025 campaign. They have been active in the off-season, targeting emerging talent from across the region as they focus on building depth.