Premiers to face off in BFNL opener

THE respective reigning champions of the Bellarine Football Netball League will open the coming season following a late change to the 2026 fixture.

AFL Barwon confirmed this past week that Anglesea (2025 senior men’s football premiers) and Ocean Grove (2025 A grade netball premiers) would face off on Good Friday (April 3) rather than the following day.

The rescheduled match provides a fitting start to the 2026 season, celebrating last season’s champions while commencing another exciting year of football and netball.

Fellow Bellarine clubs Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove have arranged to swap their home games due to upcoming infrastructure works.

Barwon Heads will host the Round 11 match on June 13 at Howard Harmer Oval.

The club’s facilities are scheduled to undergo significant reconstruction from mid-June 2026 and will not have access to its rooms from that point onward.

Ocean Grove will then host the Round 20 match on August 22 at Shell Road Recreation Reserve.

The adjusted venue arrangements ensure continuity of the competition while allowing essential facility upgrades to progress.

For the updated 2026 BFNL fixture, head to aflbarwon.com.au