BFNL Review - Round 14, 2025

Reigning premiers Melton bounced back to the winners list with a hard fought, five-point win over North Ballarat at Mars Stadium.

It was the lowest winning score of the BFNL season to date.

Conditions warranted a contest in the 'hard watch' category but credit to both sides who fought it out from start to finish with the endeavour worthy of a final.

Unfortunately, the game was essentially a 'territory battle' with little room for the usual flare we're used to.

When Max Faulkner (two goals) put North Ballarat in front with eight minutes to go, the Bloods were looking down the barrel of a fourth straight loss, but unlikely hero Lochie Ericson was elevated to momentary stardom with a finish you're more likely to see on a dry day.

Quite a number of players had tried and failed from a similar position to Ericson earlier in the day, but the premiership player owned his opportunity and sealed the game.

It was a genuine 'arm wrestle' that prevailed with the Bloods entourage simply relieved to be in front at the final siren.

Unfortunately for the Roosters it was their second loss against the Bloods this season decided by less than a goal.

Lachie Watkins saved the day across half back numerous times for the Bloods to be named best ahead of Kyle Borg who was one on a short list of players that could gain any separation in an otherwise congested affair.

The 'inside' nature of the contest also aided Blake Souter who was never far away from the action.

VFL listed talent Josh Morris was arguably the best for the hosts ahead of Isaac Carey who was important with his second half drive at the feet of returning ruckman Cam McCallum who fought tirelessly all day at record number stoppages. 

The Roosters’ Max Faulkner was the only multiple contributors on the goal front on a tough day for forwards seeking bona fide opportunities.

While Riley Polkinghorne was not named in the best, he was one of the bigger contributors and a welcomed inclusion from his affiliation with VFL club Port Melbourne.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Riley Polkinghorne (North Ballarat) - 33 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 16 clearances

Jack Walker (Melton) - 25 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 clearances

Lachlan Watkins (Melton) - 24 disposals, 11 intercept possessions, 7 rebound 50s

COACHES’ VERDICT
Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
"Really proud of the lads today - huge effort against such a talented team with a lot to prove. Trying conditions for both teams. We didn't quite make the most of the wind in the first quarter kicking 1.5 to Melton’s 3.0 when they had the wind was the difference. Amazing effort to hit the front in the last quarter and almost take the 'W'."

Troy Scoble (Melton)
"Another game decided by under a kick in our two games vs North Ballarat this year. Not about today in isolation but this group always makes you proud. To all players that were out there today, both teams did a super job in tough conditions and tried hard all day to move the ball with method. The game could've gone either way halfway through the last and I was happy for our group to work the scenario better than we have recently. North's contest game is elite and game style challenges you so much, we had to do a lot right to be in front at the end. We were happy to win our first game for July with plenty of learnings and experience to come from it." 

A relieved Sunbury has virtually locked away their place in this year's finals with a hard fought nine-point win over Ballarat at Clarke Oval.

Lions’ coach Matt White acknowledged the importance of the win against a plucky Swans outfit, having witnessed firsthand the potential of the young visitors in their Round 11 loss last year.

The win lived up to White's original concerns as the Lions were made to reel in a 26-point deficit at quarter time after they were held scoreless by Ash Baker's bevy of Swans.

The response with the breeze for the Lions in the second term was emphatic to say the least. Whatever White said to his pride at the first change obviously worked and should be locked away as a future source if faced with a similar position of 'missing the start'.

With the lead restored for the Lions, the home side led at every change thereafter despite the visitor’s will to stay in touch.

Just six and seven points was the Lions’ advantage at half and three-quarter time - essentially anybody's game down to the wire.

Lions’ pair Zachary Stevens and Murphy Boyd had arguably their best games at the level while Jake Sutton did his thing (again) on the goal front finishing with five majors, essentially half of the Lions score. The dependence on the consistency and wizardry on Sutton is palpable.

Opposition coaches need to find a way to nullify the Essendon VFL listed talent who has 49 goals to his name, six shy of injured Cobras’ forward Jake Owen.

The Swans were gallant in defeat and earned the praise of their coach Ash Baker, but he conceded there to plenty of work ahead to plan for an unlikely result against East Point at Eastern Oval given the Kangas have won 15 straight at the venue.

The form of Wyatt Squires, the Maple and Rinaldi brothers continues to trend upward while the contributions of young pair Paddy O'Brien and Emmerton Hooper will add confidence ahead of a rare 'muddy mission' to Eastern Oval. 

STATS THAT MATTERED

Wyatt Squires (Ballarat) - 36 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 11 tackles

Jake Egan (Sunbury) - 30 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 14 tackles

Jake Sutton (Sunbury) - 17 disposals, 9 score involvements, 8 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT
Matt White (Sunbury)
"After a slow start and some fear of previous encounters with Ballarat, the boys settled and got on top of the contested possession after quarter time which helped us get in front at the main break. An arm wrestle of sorts prevailed after that after that, and we were really happy to be able to hold off a hard finishing Ballarat."

Ash Baker (Ballarat)
"Solid effort from the boys, unfortunately we were unable to get the points. After a really positive start, Sunbury hit back hard in the second quarter. We gave ourselves good looks at it late in the game, however, couldn't capitalise. Plenty to continue to work on as we come up against another quality outfit in East Point next week."

East Point put this game to bed early setting up a 47-point half time lead virtually denying an ambitious Bacchus Marsh any sniff of an upset win under trying conditions.

Yes, even Eastern Oval can be difficult to play on, a victim of the elements but it hasn't stopped the Kangas’ winning ways at home now extended to 15.

Many had the Cobras’ chances slim at best after leading forward Jake Owen was declared a nonstarter post his finger injury sustained in Round 13's loss to Darley.

The Cobras need a scalp and will be without Owen for the immediate period and cannot afford to give away 47-point margins at the main break.

It was the Cobras’ lowest score of the season and their biggest half-time deficit, trailing eight goals to one.

The Kangas weren't without their own challenges in the lead up with the absence of Matty Johnston, Bryson McDougall and Alex Molan (season).

Joe Carmody did welcome back important inside mid Mickitja Rotumah-Onus, joining x-factor star Jordy Johnston to deny a progressive Cobras midfield any impetus out of stoppage.

Johnston was again named best for the Kangas, his 13th appearance in 14 games, doing his Henderson Medal chances no harm.

Kangas’ warrior Joel Van Meel was acknowledged for his effort against the BFNL's premier ruckman in Luke Goetz while defenders Liam Howard and Jackson Merrett featured prominently.

The Cobras, who can take solace having won the second half, paid credit to Josh Huxtable, Jamie Fulton and defenders Rhy Penny and Jack Kovacevic.  

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jordy Johnston (East Point) - 42 disposals, 27 contested possessions, 20 clearances

Jack Kovacevic (Bacchus Marsh) - 30 disposals, 12 intercept possessions, 9 rebound 50s

Mickitja Rotumah-Onus (East Point) - 29 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 14 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT
Joe Carmody (East Point)
"Excellent first half where we owned the territory in trying conditions. Bacchus Marsh challenged us in the third quarter with some quick ball movement. We were able to get on top again in clearances in the last quarter and keep the ball in our forward for the majority of the quarter."

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
"A good old school wet weather game of footy, more mud than grass. East were cleaner and showed greater cohesion early. We had our chances but missed some opportunities and mindset (coaches included) cost us a goal or two. Really proud of our group for their second half, won the contest pressure and were rewarded with scoreboard pressure. Some of our younger players are taking huge strides and our leaders are setting the tone. (We're) back at home next week against another strong opposition in Melton. We will review, regroup and go again." 

Popular Burra's veteran Luke Kiel provided jubilation for home fans with a last gasp winning goal to elevate the blue and gold inside the top six for the first time this season.

With the euphoria, came heartbreak for the visiting Lions whose slim finals chances came to an end.

Unfortunately, it would become Gary Learmonth's last game in charge of Redan, a surprise announcement that essentially hijacked BFNL news in the aftermath.

The Lions led at every change apart from the one that mattered most - at the final siren.

The visitors led by as much as 26 points at quarter time, but it wasn't enough in the trying conditions to earn the win.

The Burra, fighting for their own season mortality, booted six of the last eight goals of the game to finish with their noses in front and more importantly - a spot in the top six.

While finishing third has always had its advantages, teams like Melton and Sunbury would be a little nervous coming up against Tony Lockyer's men who have won four of their last five games.

The Burras only loss for the period was when they fell just five points shy of flag contenders East Point.

Familiar Burra names dominated the list of best players, namely Lachlan Cassidy, Riley O'Keefe, Cooper Littlehales and Hugo Papst while newcomer Tarun Raven featured prominently in just his fourth game alongside Lachlan O'Keefe.

For Redan the narrative could've been so much different having done so much right before snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. 

Lachie George was back to his best on a day that suited the bigger bodies as Daniel Bond, Dean Matthews and Zach Mortlock all played significant roles aiding the cause.

In a low scoring affair and goals coming at a premium, only Cooper Littlehales (three goals). Luke Kiel (two goals) and Hugo Papst (two goals) finished with multiples for the winners while Lachie George (three goals) and Lachlan McLean (two goals) were prominent but evidently a goal shy flipping the mood of a telling loss of 'what could've been'.

Ironically the slender margin of two points was all that separated them back in Round 4 when Redan walked away with the points. Consider the ledger, squared.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Lachlan Cassidy (Sebastopol) - 38 disposals, 26 contested possession, 14 clearances

Luke Kiel (Sebastopol) - 25 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 8 tackles

Brody Pope (Redan) - 32 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 15 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT
Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
"(It) wasn't the best performance of the year at all but just so proud of this group to stay patient, grind away and get the win in the end. We persisted after a poor first half. Credit to Redan and Gary who took advantage of the conditions early and outplayed us. They have a great young list and will be a real handful for all sides they face on the run home. Promising future for Redan." 

Gary Learmonth (Redan)
"(We) didn't take our chances again. Played some great footy but just weren't able to compose ourselves in crucial moments in the last half. Tony and his leaders closed the game down and were able to take control to get over the line. Proud again but disappointed all the same. Tony has his side heading into the back end of the season in good form and will shake up the top six."

The Devils consolidated their position on top of the BFNL table with a 123-point win over Lake Wendouree at Darley Park on Saturday.

Despite resting a few key players, star duo Nick Hind (seven goals) and Brett Bewley (five behinds) went to work and ran riot against a visiting party still winless in 2025.

Young Devil Jayven Tanner (seven goals) made the most of his afternoon as the focal point up forward in the absence of Will Johnson who was afforded the weekend off, alongside Billy Myers, Luther Baker and Joel Cadman.

While there was little doubt the Devils would do enough to earn the points given their current standings on the BFNL ladder, there was a question around just how well, arguably 10 players shy of their best 22.

Coach Dan Jordan said it was 'an educational day' for the club as the hierarchy embraced the opportunity to have a look at a few, essentially exposing depth stocks bare.

It wasn't all one-way traffic for Jordan's crew, as the Lakers enjoyed some periods of their own in particular the third quarter when they booted four goals to five, taking it up to their more fancied opponents.      

Lakers’ trio Jaydo Wright, Will Clark and Angus Gove earned the nod of approval for their efforts in a losing side, while Darcy Martricardi (in best 4 of the last 11 matches), Harley Inglis (three goals) and Matthew Brett were next best for the Devils behind Bewley, Tanner and Hind who shared over 25 shots on goal between them.

It was Darley's 13th win on the trot.

Next stop - a road meeting with Redan at City Oval while the Lakers are at home to North Ballarat.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Brett Bewley (Darley) - 44 disposals, 23 score involvements, 20 contested possessions

Jaydo Wright (Lake Wendouree) - 43 hitouts, 27 disposals, 10 clearances

Nick Hind (Darley) - 28 disposals, 21 score involvements, 7 goals

COACHES’ VERDICT
Dan Jordan (Darley)
"Morale boosting win for the boys against a Lakers group that really tested us throughout the third quarter especially. We were in a position to expose our depth and reward our youth for their form at underage and reserves level, both of whom play a critical role in our club’s mission for success."

Rohan Brown (Lake Wendouree)
"(I) don't think it was a 'walk in the park' like reported. I was super proud of the way our boys played the game, we hold our heads high and keep learning every week. We found out a bit more about ourselves again against a high-quality side with some of the best players in the league. Sometimes you just have to sit back and say, "too good!" We played some great footy in the third quarter only being outscored by one goal. Credit to DJ and Darley the way they represented themselves especially helping our reserves and we thank them."