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BFNL Weekend Preview - Round 14, 2025


Round 14 Football Preview with 'Scoop'

As we draw closer to the pointy end of the season, Round 14 stands as a huge weekend of BFNL football set to determine how the finals may come to look.


North Ballarat

vs

Melton

SATURDAY JULY 26TH - 2.15PM @ MARS STADIUM

BFNL MATCH OF THE ROUND LIVE WITH FULL COMMENTARY 2PM VIA BFNL MATCH CENTRE

Last time they met - Melton 71 def. North Ballarat 68 (MacPherson Park, Round 4 2025)

The Bloods are on a road mission to Mars Stadium to end a rare three-game losing streak when they meet an unpredictable North Ballarat outfit.

Troy Scoble's group were missing seven players from their 2024 Premiership side in their 20-point loss to Sebastopol last week.

With Melton under the microscope this week, a trip to Mars may not be their preferred option to bounce back to the winner’s list.

If the Roosters can replicate any of the form from their previous meet that went down to the wire, they are every chance again this time around.

Clint Proctor's group won three quarters that day to put a scare through the Bloods’ camp that surely hasn't dissolved from the minds internally.

A welcoming change of luck on the selection front for the Roosters will only aid their cause with the availability of VFL listed trio Denver Grainger-Barras, James Van Es, Riley Polkinghorne and big man Cam McCullum.

The Bloods will remain relatively unchanged.

Despite key inclusions, Proctor's young group will again go into Saturday's Match of the Round as underdogs v top four opposition and are unlikely to swing too dramatically from the blueprint that earned them the points over Sunbury last week.

The Roosters restricted the Lions to just 4.5 for the afternoon, their lowest return all season.

One pleasing thing for Proctor despite the Roosters challenges has been the spread of contributors in win, loss or draw.

If some top end soldiers can make it back regularly, who is to say North Ballarat can't have an impact at the business end? But for the here and now, not dissimilar to the Bloods, it's all about Saturday.

Sure, the Bloods have a nice cushion with their 9-4 record, but a loss on the road would confirm any 'vulnerable' speculation with Bacchus Marsh (A), East Point (H), Ballarat (H) and Sunbury (A) still to come.

For the Roosters, they've just got to keep winning with no ceiling on who they can challenge, for their best is around the mark.

Scoop’s tip

Melton


Sunbury

vs

Ballarat

SATURDAY JULY 26TH - 1.15PM @ CLARKE OVAL

Last time they met - Ballarat 61 def. by Sunbury 125 (Alfredton Oval, Round 4 2025)

While the Lions hold a superior position in 4th currently on the BFNL ladder, both sides have won just two of their last six games giving an ambitious Swans bevy an outside throw at the stumps chance, on the road at Clarke Oval.

It will test the Swans’ self-belief to the core despite a morale boosting 80-point win over the Lakers last week if they're to give themselves any sniff of victory. 

The reality is, Sunbury were humbled last week on the road by North Ballarat who were prepared to bring the heat and deliver on a 'pressure first' plan that clearly derailed the Lions’ ambitions for a game on their own terms.

The Swans proved for the most part against Darley (25 points) and Melton (20 points) that they're capable of taking the game up to their more fancied opponents.

In fact, both of those meets came in the last six weeks and would remain a vivid memory for coach Ash Baker to ponder.

However, making Clarke Oval smaller and generating the necessary congestion and stoppage numbers would take the Swans’ best performance of the season across four quarters to deny a Sunbury line-up craving a bit of their own game style back in front of home fans.

Both sides share the misfortune of absent top end talent and for the six-week period under the microscope, that talent has been sorely missed given their W2 L4 returns.

Ironically their numbers in attack and defence over the sample size near a mirror image.

Sunbury hold the edge averaging an extra goal for, while conceding one less goal against.

Sunbury are just a different proposition at home and should get the job done but be wary of the impact of weather predicted.

Ballarat may get the inside game they need, but the Lions should prove a bridge too far no matter the deluge!  

GUARANTEE! Lions’ coach Matty White will carry no passengers and hold prisoners for this assignment.

White's healthy respect for the Swans has gone on public record, after their surprise win over the Lions in the back half of last year.

Scoop’s tip

Sunbury


Darley

vs

Lake Wendouree

SATURDAY JULY 26TH - 2.15PM @ DARLEY PARK

Last time they met - Lake Wendouree 33 def. by Darley 150 (CE Brown Res, Round 4 2025)

Given the testing nature of the (new) 18 game home and away season and the proximity of finals don't be surprised if the ladder leaders rest a couple of blue-chip stocks for their match against the Lakers at Darley Park.

Just who, if any won't be known until selection, but it seems logical for the Devils with their 12-1 standing in the competition, doesn't it?

The Devils, under Dan Jordan in his fourth season, are 'travelling' and won't be taking any risks against the Lakers who are yet to win a game.

In fact, the proposed rest is no disrespect to the Lakers, it's arguably the best option for the Devils moving forward.

Leigh Spiteri, Duncan Cadman, Zane Le Huray, Jack Crawford and Matt Denham all need exposure at the level having missed lengthy periods and will need some touch ahead of the business end, not to mention the potential availability of trio Brady Wright, Mace Cousins and Lucas Impey who are yet to play the 13 games at VFL level, making them ineligible for BFNL finals.

Jordan still has more to see of his current stocks who are trending in the right direction.

Jostling for positions are a weekly challenge for the group and the results indicate progress. 

Another opportunity presents on Saturday for the new and emerging to stake their claim.

Lakers’ coach Rohan Brown will ensure his boys come to play and embrace the opportunity against the Devils who (currently) rank one in the comp for attack and defence.

Unfortunately, key ruckman Tom Zampatti will miss some footy with knee soreness which is likely to see Jaydo Wright assume the aerial duties around the ground, aiding an advantage around stoppage for the likes of Joel O'Connell and Kynan Raven who have had ripper seasons.

Angus Gove, Timmy Collins, Kyle Anderson and Bailey Ryan are all quality players and will make sure the Devils will be made to earn a likely 13th win on the trot.

The Lakers have pinched a quarter at each of their last two games against Sebastopol and Ballarat and will look to do the same on Saturday to deny Jordan's Devils the complete four quarter performance. 

Scoop’s tip

Darley


Sebastopol

vs

Redan

SATURDAY JULY 26TH - 2.15PM @ MARTY BUSCH RESERVE

Last time they met - Redan 65 def. Sebastopol 63 (City Oval, Round 4 2025)

A win at home for Sebastopol (8th) could elevate them to as high as fifth on the BFNL table come 5pm Saturday if results fall their way.

The Burra’s must-win assignment for Saturday is against a confident and dangerous Redan outfit who are capable of executing a style of footy well above their current ninth place standing would suggest.

The two sides come together at the perfect time having enjoyed wins over reigning premiers Melton in the last fortnight.

While these two have shared similar frustrations at the selection table throughout the season, there is a sense the bigger and more experienced bodies of Sebastopol can rebound from their first meet back in Round 4 when Redan won by two points.

Sure, Gary Learmonth's Lions will arrive at Marty Busch Reserve full of ambition and promise, their slim finals chances depend on it.

They will have to get the job done without Kye Jess but get some reprieve at the selection table with the availability of Pat Fitzgibbon, Jordan Grant and potentially Will Madden.

But as much as we could sing the praises of Redan over the last six weeks it's been the Burra, of teams below Darley and East Point, that have surged into the spotlight.

In fact, if we were to look at the last six weeks in isolation, Tony Lockyer's men sit fourth with their three wins, rank fourth in offence scoring 82 points per game average and second in defence conceding 64.8pts pg avg. Redan (W2 L4, ninth in comparison), rank equal sixth with Sunbury in offence (71ppg) but ninth in defence (76ppg) for the period.

Numbers can only tell you so much of what has happened but they're a positive reinforcement the Burra are trending in the right direction.

As the troops from both parties transcend seamlessly into the healthy brigade we should be in for a cracking season-on-the-line hitout.

Let’s hope the form of these two sides match up having also endured honourable losses to East Point (2nd) in more recent times.

Whether the rain comes or not, I’m tipping the Burra to announce their own arrival in a close one.         

Scoop’s tip

Sebastopol


East Point

vs

Bacchus Marsh

SATURDAY JULY 26TH - 2.15PM @ EASTERN OVAL
Live stream game on BFNL Facebook page

Last time they met - Bacchus Marsh 70 def. by East Point 87 (Maddingley Park, Round 4 2025)

The Kangas will aim to extend their winning streak at Eastern Oval to 15 games when they host the improving Cobras.

Unfortunately for Dennis Armfield's touring party, their chances have been dealt a severe blow with the loss of key forward Jake Owen (finger).

The former Williamstown VFL product, come 100 game player at the Cobras leads the BFNL for goals and goal involvements, bordering on irreplaceable given his season numbers.

However, Owen's presence alone on Saturday, instilling the belief in the group should be enough to warrant a response given the stakes remain high for the Cobras.

Armfield's army are fifth on the BFNL table and two points clear of their nearest rivals heading into Round 14 but could be out of the six as early as 5pm Saturday if North Ballarat (Melton) and Ballarat (Sunbury) record upset wins.

All three sides meet top four opposition, not to mention Sebastopol, who have another season defining match up with Redan.

What a round of opportunity that presents all sides currently 5th-9th.

Sure, the Cobras were within 17 points at their previous meet but the Kangas were missing key trio Matty Johnston, Bryson McDougall and Joe Dodd.

To add further degrees of difficulty for the Cobras, Owen finished with an equal game high four goals alongside Kangas’ swingman Jacob Brown.  

The Cobras will get some comfort knowing Isaac Nixon and Jamie Fulton missed their first meet and share offensive qualities in the air and at ground level to aid a winnable score.

The reality is the Kangas would start favourites against any opposition given their unbeaten run at home and should (weather permitting) make it an impressive 15th on the trot at EO.

If there was a case to make for the Cobras causing an upset, it would come in the form of rain. 

A low scoring, inside game would only aid the Armfield mission.

For Kangas’ coach Joe Carmody, banking the premiership points will be enough to draw on from the Cobras who have won three of their last four games.       

Scoop’s tip

East Point