The Colac & District Football Netball League is proud to announce its Senior Interleague Squad for 2025, with players selected from across all ten member clubs.
With 65 players nominated, this year’s squad is the largest in recent memory — and deliberately so.
“We make no apologies for the size of the squad,” said Football Operations Manager Paul Liistro. “Development is at the heart of this program. This isn’t just about match day – it’s about giving more players the chance to experience a representative environment and grow as footballers and people.”
The program will be led by Head Coach Kane Leerson, with support from assistant coaches Alex Adams, Tyson Holt, and Paul Liistro.
To ensure a smooth training and identification process, all players are required to wear their current club game day jumper with their correct jumper number to every training session.
“Wearing the correct jumper is non-negotiable,” Leerson said. “It’s essential for accurate identification and feedback during training. We want every player to be fairly assessed.”
Alvie (6):
Angus Permezel, Will Ruddell, Liam Mulder, Oscar Barrow, Sam Mahoney, Lachy Mulder
Apollo Bay (8):
Hudson Harrison, Ashton Harrison, Archer Lennon, Angus Dow, Dylan Murnane, Alex Diamond, Tristian Smith, Tamar Holt
Birregurra (6):
Ethan Floyd, Nick Arnold, Darcy Collins, Will Jarvis, Lewis Brice, Jezz Zydbel
Colac Imperials (13):
Bailey Scott, Campbell Scott, Campbell Tanis, Luke O’Shannassy, Liam Cunningham, Austin Arnold, Brodie Stephens, Jett Price, George Melville, Will Mackay, Al O’Donnell, Trey Wheadon, Flynn Wisbey
Irrewarra (7):
Tom Ennor, Bryce McDonald, Harry Carmody, Charlie Morrissy, Mitch Thornton, Max Hutchinson, Jacob Stannard
Lorne (5):
Frazer Balderis, James Hughes, Jessie Middleton, Cole Fox, Corey Przastek
Otway Districts (4):
Sam Mulgrew, Conor O’Meara, Jim Abraham, Carl Daffy
Simpson (3):
Ryleigh McVilly, Jayden Gass, Tanner Fratantaro
South Colac (6):
Seb Hay, Tyler Loricco, Brady Sweetnam, Bailey Mumberson, Will Mulgrew, Ashton Stevens
Western Eagles (7):
Elijah Reid, Toby Kent, Dom Absalom, Luke Fish, Tyler George, Charlie Friend, Jordan Milverton
The CDFNL encourages all clubs to support their selected players and promote participation in what promises to be a rewarding and enjoyable interleague campaign.
For questions or further information, please contact:
Paul Liistro – CDFNL Football Operations
The Colac & District Football Netball League is proud to announce Kane Leersen as the 2025 Senior Interleague football coach.
Leersen is no stranger to the region’s football landscape. With an 18-year association at Colac, he played 240 senior games for the Tigers, including being a key part of their historic 2014 GFL premiership – the club’s first in the competition. His playing credentials also include three seasons on Geelong’s VFL list and two NTFL premierships during stints with St Mary’s in the Northern Territory.
After his decorated playing career, Leersen returned to his junior club, Birregurra, where his football journey began as a nine-year-old. Taking on the role of playing coach, he led the Saints across three seasons while instilling a focus on development and team culture.
Now, in stepping into the interleague role, Leersen brings a strong mix of elite-level experience, local knowledge, and a passion for guiding the next generation.
“I’m excited to support the next wave of footballers coming through our league,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent in the region and I’m looking forward to building something competitive and rewarding for our players.”
The league believes Leersen’s leadership will be instrumental in driving performance and pride as interleague football returns in 2025.

The Colac District Football Netball League is excited to announce the return of senior interleague football and netball in 2025 — the first time since 2019 that representative matches will be held.
Scheduled for the King’s Birthday public holiday on Monday, June 9, 2025, the interleague event will include:
The football match will feature a showdown between the Colac District and Geelong & District Football Leagues, reigniting the regional rivalry with a fresh focus on emerging senior talent.
CDFNL board member Paul Liistro said the return of interleague has been eagerly anticipated.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing back senior interleague this year for both football and netball,” he said. “After productive conversations with the Geelong District League, we’ve landed on an Under 25 format for football — which is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best young talent from both regions.”
Liistro said the match will help bridge the gap between junior and senior representative footy.
“It’s about giving players aged 18 to 25 — especially those who have only played locally — a chance to test themselves against a high standard,” he said. “We’ve got some seriously talented footballers in that bracket, and this is a platform for them to shine.”
“At the moment, once you age out of Under 18 interleague, there’s no obvious next step. This match fills that gap and could inspire players to push for higher levels of competition.”
Final venue and match details will be confirmed soon — but for now, mark June 9 in your calendar as a celebration of the region’s best in football and netball.
The AFL has announced important developments in relation to the return-to-play protocols in the concussion guidelines for all levels of Australian rules football.
For competitions outside AFL/AFLW of all ages (i.e. adult/open competitions and all junior competitions), the earliest that a player can return-to-play after a concussion is on the 21st day after the day on which the concussion was sustained, provided the player successfully passes through the protocols.
This new protocol will apply for state league football competitions, elite pathway competitions and all community football competitions.
To read the full media release from the AFL CLICK HERE
Congratulations to Elissa Rodger for playing her 300th A grade game for Irrewarra Beeac.
Elissa joins her long time team mate & friend Rachel Rodger and will become a league life member.
Congratulations to Irrewarra-Beeacs Rachel Rodger, who will play her 300th game of A Grade Netball in the CDFNL this weekend, which will qualify her for League Life Membership.
Rodger is a multiple League B&F winner, Club B&F winner, multiple Premiership winner, former coach and has been selected in multiple Team Of The Years.
Congratulations and good luck Rachel!!
One of our leagues finest!
Sanction handed down to Lorne Football Netball Club for player point breach during the senior match in round 6 against Birregurra.
The sanction includes the below.
In reaching this conclusion the Commission considers that this penalty meets the criteria in the AFL Vic handbook Rule 1.3 (a) page 15.
Irrewarra Beeac v Birregurra
https://soundcloud.com/cdflive/warra-v-birre-highlights?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing&fbclid=IwAR078Koq2H2n8aJ4t9O6MeLtMZNyCTDi30nCfuvXY_9-RmOstuyj74xRaGM
League have nominated rounds 8 & 9 for clubs to celebrate 50 years of netball.
All clubs are encouraged to celebrate on their home game, with all clubs having a home game across those 2 rounds.
Apollo Bay won the first even A grade premiership in 1972