Divided on relegation
AFL Barwon captains are split on the idea of promotion and relegation at season’s end, after completing an anonymous survey at the annual captain’s day.
Seven GFL captains voted in favour of promotionrelegation, and five were against the idea, while five BFL captains also supported the competition restructure.
But despite some reservations, AFL Barwon general manager Lee Hartman told the Geelong Advertiser last week that two GFL clubs would be demoted at season’s end.
“We’re still full steam ahead with that,” he said.
“The GDFL are committed to taking two extra teams from the Bellarine and the Bellarine will be taking two teams from the GFL.”
There will be no promotion until 2020.
ST JOSEPH’S has been tipped to again feature in this year’s GFL decider, with eight of the other 11 captains electing the reigning premier.
Colac (two), St Mary’s and Newtown & Chilwell were the other clubs tipped to reach the final day, with only Bell Park and Leopold the other clubs considered to make finals this year.
Jai Thompson and reigning Mathieson medallist Matt McMahon received four votes each to take out this year’s league medal.
All 12 captains unanimously voted against the introduction of a last touch rule.
IN THE BFL, eight of the 10 clubs received nominations for finals this year in a sign of the competition’s evenness.
Torquay (nine votes), Geelong Amateur (eight), Barwon Heads (seven) and Modewarre and Ocean Grove (five each) were the most fancied sides, with Anglesea (four) and Ocean Grove (four) split 50-50 to make the top five.
Drysdale and Queenscliff also received one vote each.
Ten players were tipped to win the Les Ash Medal; however, half of the captains believe Ammos power forward Mitch Day will win the league goal kicking award.
Just one BFL skipper voted in favour of the last touch rule.