12496497-CG22-21
September 22, 2023
FREE DIGITAL EDITION
SIG N U P N O W!
Grand final fever is here Thousands are set to flock to Leopold Memorial Park this weekend for the Geelong Football Netball League grand finals. In a battle of third versus fourth at the completion of the home and away season, South Barwon will take on Leopold in the senior footy with a large contingent of Polder fans expected, but the Swans army will also be out in force. Leopold is also in the reserves grand final and will meet St Mary’s. In the A Grade netball, Colac fans will make the trek to Geelong to cheer on their side as they take on Newtown & Chilwell. St Mary’s and St Joseph’s play in the B Grade game, South Barwon and Geelong West Giants in C Grade, Newtown & Chilwell and South Barwon in D Grade and St Mary’s play Newtown & Chilwell in E Grade. The weather forecast is for a dry day with light winds and a top temperature of 18 degrees. ■ See page 31 for your grand final
coverage. Newtown & Chilwell’s Ruby Pekin-Schlicht, South Barwon’s Matt Caldow, Leopold’s Marcus Thompson and Colac’s Emily Murfitt at Eastern Beach on Monday with the Geelong Football Netball League premiership cups. (Ivan Kemp) 361268_18
Man charged with murder By Jena Carr and AAP A Belmont man has faced court over the alleged murder of a father in Geelong, with the cause of death still unknown. Bailey Clifford, 18, appeared at the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 20, after he was charged with the murder of 40-year-old Paul Grapsas. The father of two was found dead beside his car on Malone Street at around 4am on Friday, September 15, after he left their Western Beach Road home at around 11pm the previous night.
Homicide Squad Detective Sergeant Tony Hupfeld said Mr Grapsas was found with significant head injuries by his pregnant wife, Jessica Grapsas, who alerted police to her husband’s death. “His wife became concerned when she awoke around 4am to find that he was not home, she’s gone outside the address and found him deceased,” he said. Mr Clifford was arrested in Ocean Grove on Tuesday, September 19, and charged with the murder after being interviewed by police on Wednesday, September 20. A prosecutor told Geelong Magistrates
Court that the cause of Mr Grapsas’ death was still unknown as police were awaiting a pathology report and asked for 14 weeks to gather evidence. They said police were going through 500 hours of CCTV footage and biological testing for 20 to 50 exhibits and needed time to review and download information from multiple mobile phones. Magistrate Ann McGarvie allowed the prosecution until December 27 to prepare evidence and remanded Mr Clifford in custody until his next court date. “This is the most serious charge that can be
faced by anyone in the community,” she said. Defence lawyer Stephanie Mawby did not make an application for bail and acknowledged the charge was “very serious”. She also said it was not her client’s first time in custody. Mr Grapsas’ family previously released a statement describing him as a loving father and devoted community member. “He was a devoted father of two beautiful young children and expecting a third on the way and had just received a promotion at his workplace,” they said. Mr Clifford will face court again on January 30, 2024, for a committal mention.
12630642-AP38-23