Bulldogs' juniors shine as the club looks ahead to new facility in 2027
It was a year of transition for Golden Square in 2026.
A redevelopment at their Wade Street home caused disruptions to the Clubs normal in-season routine. Excitingly, the re-development is complete, and the Club will be back to normal in 2027.
On the fields and courts in 2026, Square’s brightest results came from its junior ranks. Both the 17&U and 15&U netball teams finished agonisingly short of Grand Final appearances losing nail-biting Preliminary Finals
The 17 & Under side finished the home & away season at 13–3 and won a 41–40 thriller over South Bendigo in the first semi-final before losing the preliminary final to eventual premiers Sandhurst. The 15 & Under squad went 10–2, won their qualifying final against South Bendigo 56–46, and lost the preliminary final to the same side by a single goal, 39–40.
In football, Square’s Under 18s were the only football team to make finals finishing in fifth at 8–8 before going down to Castlemaine in the elimination final.
The Seniors finished seventh with four wins in what would be a disappointing year for the Bulldogs who are normally around the mark. The squads best result came late in the year with a 39-point win over second-placed Strathfieldsaye at home in round 17, 14.6.90 to 7.9.51.
After winning the Drummond Golf Reserves Premiership in 2026, the Bulldogs Reserves finished sixth, missing finals by two games.
A Grade finished seventh with four wins and lost to Eaglehawk by a single goal in round 11. B Grade finished sixth with five wins.
Congratulations to Golden Square young-guns Archie Edwards & Bailey Warfe who were both announced as finalists for the 2026 Bart n Print Rising Star Award. While Reserves sharpshooter, Seth Cooke claimed the league goalkicking with 33 goals.
Up and coming star, Ava Hope finished runner-up in the inaugural 15 & Under Medal Count on 17 Votes.
2026 was a bright year for Golden Square’s Interleague representation with lots of Bulldogs pulling on the BFNL’s Blue & Gold including Josh Kelly who was awarded the Robert O’Connell medal for his best on ground performance in the Under 18 Interleague match against Ovens & Murray.
15 & Under Netball – Maddison Ryan, Harper Gordon, Ava Hope & Regan Hay
17 & Under Netball – Lily Wise, Anya Basilewsky, Rachael Flood, Scout Hayes & Juliet Hogan
Under 18’s Football – Archie Eaton, Josh Kelly & Zavier Grant
Senior Football – Jayden Burke, Tom Strauch & Jack Stewart
2026 results snapshot
|
Team
|
W–L–D
|
Finish
|
Finals / best result
|
|
Seniors (football)
|
4–12–0
|
7th
|
Won 14.6.90 to 7.9.51 v Strathfieldsaye (R17)
|
|
Reserves (football)
|
6–10–0
|
6th
|
Won by 59 v Gisborne (R9)
|
|
Under 18s (football)
|
8–8–0
|
5th
|
Lost elimination final v Castlemaine by 39
|
|
A Grade (netball)
|
4–12–0
|
7th
|
Won 80–39 v Castlemaine (R10)
|
|
A Reserve (netball)
|
2–12–0
|
7th
|
Won 49–45 v Castlemaine (R1)
|
|
B Grade (netball)
|
5–11–0
|
6th
|
Won 61–26 v Broadford (R3)
|
|
B Reserve (netball)
|
4–12–0
|
7th
|
Lost 35–38 v Sandhurst (R13)
|
|
17 & Under (netball)
|
13–3–0
|
2nd
|
Lost QF 40–42 v Strathfieldsaye; won 1st semi 41–40 v South Bendigo; lost PF 29–38 v Sandhurst
|
|
15 & Under (netball)
|
10–2–0
|
2nd
|
Won QF 56–46 v South Bendigo; lost 2nd semi v Sandhurst; lost PF 39–40 v South Bendigo
|
