At the halfway mark of the home and away season, the competition is still wide open with finals spots and double chances all on the line in the run home.
Sunbury
def.
Bacchus Marsh
Sunbury’s explosive first quarter proved too much for Bacchus Marsh to claw back, as the Lions secured a 39-point win and maintained their push for a top-two finish.
In typical fashion, Sunbury came out firing.
The opening term saw them pile on 8.5 (53) to the Cobras’ 2.1 (13), with Daniel Johnston slotting three majors to help set the tone.
The early dominance laid the groundwork for the rest of the contest, forcing Bacchus Marsh to play catch-up.
While the second term was even, the Cobras needed a big third quarter to mount a comeback.
But with both defences locking down, it took nearly 10 minutes for Isaac Nixon to register the first goal of the half.
A late pair of goals allowed Bacchus Marsh to narrowly win the quarter, but they still faced a 27-point deficit heading into the final term.
Sunbury’s defensive control continued into the last, where just two goals were scored – both by the Lions – as they cruised to 39-point victory.
Despite the overall disposal numbers (409 to 344), it was the Lions who dominated the contest and transition game, winning both contested and uncontested possessions and edging out Bacchus Marsh in clearances and inside 50s.
Josh Guthrie was brilliant for the home side, collecting 40 disposals, 11 clearances, and three goals.
Jake Egan brought immense pressure, tallying 13 tackles across the ground.
For the Cobras, Will Lalor played one of his best games of the season, leading with defensive intensity, while Luke Goetz was a key presence in the ruck with 60 hit-outs and influential follow-up work.
The loss sees Bacchus Marsh fall out of the top six for the first time in 2025, making their Round 10 clash with Redan a must-win to stay in finals contention.
Sunbury, meanwhile, face their biggest test yet against ladder-leaders Darley.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 60 hit outs, 25 disposals, 17 contested possessions
Jake Egan (Sunbury) - 36 disposals, 13 tackles, 11 intercept possessions
Josh Guthrie (Sunbury) - 40 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 11 clearances
Ballarat
def. by
Melton
A dominant second quarter has proved decisive for Melton, securing a 24-point win over Ballarat and pushing the Bloods into second spot on the ladder at the halfway point of the 2025 season.
Ballarat had their chances early but couldn’t convert inside 50 – managing just one goal, courtesy of Andrew Hooper, and three rushed behinds in the opening term.
The second quarter would prove costly, as the Swans went goalless while Melton slammed on 5.2 – including two of Braedan Kight’s eventual three goals – to build a 33-point buffer by halftime.
The Swans outscored the Bloods in the second half but couldn’t claw back the deficit, with Melton holding firm to bank a valuable four points.
Despite Ballarat leading key stats – including disposals, clearances, and inside 50s – their forward-half efficiency was lacking, while Melton made the most of their opportunities.
Tristan Maple, in just his third game for Ballarat this season, was a standout.
The Footscray-listed midfielder gathered 41 disposals and 13 intercept possessions to be named best on ground for the Swans.
Andrew Hooper continued to be a reliable target in front of goal when goals were hard to come by, kicking three of the Swans five for the day.
For the Bloods, Liam Carter earned best-on honours with strong forward 50 efficiency and a goal, while Jordyn Cotter was a rock in defence, collecting 13 intercepts to keep the Swans at bay.
The win sets up Melton for a strong run into the second half of the season, starting with a favourable matchup against Lake Wendouree.
Meanwhile, Ballarat face a crucial clash with a finals-hungry Sebastopol, needing to convert dominance into scoreboard pressure.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Tristan Maple (Ballarat) - 41 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, 9 marks
Jordyn Cotter (Melton) - 27 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, 10 marks
Adrian Monitto (Melton) - 33 disposals, 12 marks, 8 rebound 50s
Darley
def.
East Point
An epic eight-goal-to-none second quarter proved decisive as Darley stormed to a 54-point win over East Point, securing top spot at the halfway mark of the 2025 season.
The game started with a flurry of goals from both sides, and by quarter time, Darley held a slight two-point lead.
But the match turned dramatically in the second term as the Devils piled on eight unanswered goals, capitalising on every opportunity and leaving the Roos scoreless for the quarter.
East Point rallied after the main break, winning the third quarter 27-8 and showing signs of a potential comeback, just as coach Dan Jordan had flagged in his half time address.
But Darley extinguished any hopes of a Roos revival with an accurate final quarter (6.2 to 1.6), sealing the result and reinforcing their dominance at home.
Despite East Point’s advantage in inside 50s (54–41) and clearances (52–32), their inefficiency in front of goal and inability to convert opportunities proved costly.
Darley’s ball use and ability to find uncontested targets set the tone for the win.
Billy Myers was a standout for the Devils, racking up 39 disposals, 15 marks (14 uncontested), 12 intercepts, and two goals.
Will Johnson continued his consistent form, kicking four goals to climb the Tony Lockett Medal leaderboard.
For East Point, Jordan Johnston stood out with relentless pressure and four goals, while Bryson McDougall added three majors in a strong showing up forward.
The result drops East Point to fourth on the ladder, now trailing third-placed Sunbury by nearly 40%.
Darley’s win places them well clear of Melton, with nearly 50% more in percentage.
Round 10 looms as another important game for the top four, with Darley to face Sunbury and East Point up against the rising North Ballarat.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Billy Myers (Darley) - 39 disposals, 15 marks, 12 intercept possessions
Nick Hind (Darley) - 31 disposals, 11 goal involvements, 8 clearances
Matt Johnston (East Point) - 32 disposals, 8 1%ers, 7 tackles
Lake Wendouree
def. by
Redan
Redan has held off a determined Lake Wendouree to secure their second win of the season, running out 28-point winners in a gritty encounter.
The Lakers showed strong intent early, kicking 3.2 in the opening term to take a slender two-point lead into quarter-time – with Cooper James nailing two of his eventual three goals.
But the Lions responded with composure in the second quarter, spreading their scoring options and heading into the main break 19 points clear.
Lake Wendouree refused to go away, winning the third term and trimming the margin to 13 points.
But in tough conditions, Redan found composure and targets up forward in the final quarter – particularly Harry Lawson, who stepped up in just his second game for the season to boot four goals and be named best on ground.
Despite falling short in both clearances and inside 50s by 10, Lake Wendouree showed improved effort around the contest.
Coach Rohan Brown will take positives from the team's ability to compete in the midfield and push a more experienced Redan outfit for much of the game.
Redan’s ability to capitalise on forward entries and win the contested ball ultimately set them apart.
Brody Pope and Khy Jess continued to be pillars for the Lions, combining for 56 disposals and driving the team’s high-pressure approach.
For the Lakers, Tom Zampatti impressed with his ruck work and follow-up efforts, while Cooper James continued to make the most of his opportunities in front of goal.
Lake Wendouree now face the daunting task of travelling to Macpherson Park to take on Melton, while Redan will look to keep faint finals hopes alive in a must-win clash with 7th-placed Bacchus Marsh.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Brody Pope (Redan) - 34 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 8 tackles
Khy Jess (Redan) - 22 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 12 tackles
Joel O'Connell (Lake Wendouree) - 27 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 7 clearances
Sebastopol
def. by
North Ballarat
Sebastopol v North Ballarat
A crucial four points sees North Ballarat break into the top six for the first time this season, after a composed 34-point win over Sebastopol.
With both teams clinging to realistic finals hopes, the match delivered a physical, high-pressure contest.
North Ballarat edged ahead early, taking a narrow 4-point lead into quarter-time.
But it was Jamie Quick who set the tone in the second term, wasting no time to open his account within 90 seconds and adding a second soon after.
The Roosters took a 22-point lead into half time and kept their composure from there, outscoring the Burra 4.2 to 2.2 in the second half to seal the win, 10.11 (71) to 5.7 (37).
While Sebastopol had the upper hand in clearances, it was North Ballarat’s efficiency with the footy and +12 inside 50s that proved decisive.
They made their entries count and restricted Sebastopol’s forward momentum for much of the match.
Toby Hutt was the standout performer the home side.
Splitting his time between the ruck and midfield, he racked up 40 disposals (26 contested), 31 hit outs, and was a key driver in winning the ball.
Luke Phillips added valuable grunt with a high-pressure performance, including seven 1%ers and relentless defensive efforts.
Returning for just his second game of the year, Riley Polkinghorne added 30 disposals (21 contested), while Dom Penny, listed with the Rebels, earned best-on-ground honours for his efficient ball use and impact around the contest.
The win lifts North Ballarat into sixth spot, two points ahead of Bacchus Marsh.
For Sebastopol, the path to finals becomes steeper, with their upcoming clash against Ballarat now looming as a must-win if they hope to stay in the race.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Toby Hutt (Sebastopol) - 40 disposals, 31 hit outs, 26 contested possessions
RIley Polkinghorne (North Ballarat) - 30 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 9 clearances
Ned Nash (North Ballarat) - 23 disposals, 8 intercept possessions, 8 rebound 50s
