BFNL Review - Round 18, 2025

The Roosters missed a shot on goal late to claim a finals berth as the Devils hung on to win a thriller at Darley Park by three points.

Stacked with VFL listed players and a season-on-the-line scenario, North Ballarat coach Clint Proctor was able to generate enough intent and buy-in from his group to test the competition’s benchmark for four quarters.

Devils’ coach Dan Jordan opted on the side of caution to rest his 'one wood', namely star midfielder Brett Bewley while ruckman Lucas Impey was held over by Williamstown.

The absence of Impey paved the way for Werribee VFL listed talent Brady Wright to assert his authority on a contest that was made for the big boys! And didn't they shine - from both clubs.

Wright was named BOG confirming his progress within the VFL program while Nick Hind and Luther Baker honoured the call with a response for the Devils minus the dual Henderson Medallist in Bewley.

Mace Cousins (Darley) and Jack Riding (North Ballarat) returned from Werribee VFL duties for their respective teams with a lasting impact on a game that went down to the wire.

Uncanny Devils forward Will Johnson (five goals) delivered again for Jordan on the goal front to maintain the asking rate of the Roosters, who weren't bereft providing handfuls of their own, pushing the Devils defence to their highest concede (94 points) of the season.

Declan McGuigan (four goals), James Van Ess (three goals) and Josh Morris (two goals) kept the contest very real - enough to give the Roosters an 11-point lead at halftime before scores were levelled at the final change.

An entertaining five goals to four stoush unfolded in the final term as each side traded blows on the scoreboard.

Unfortunately, battles for the ages need a winner and, in this case, it was the Devils who prevailed and as a result, North Ballarat's season comes to an abrupt end.

At least we were able to catch a glimpse of what the Roosters would've looked like if they had endured a smooth run on the selection front.

Look out for 'Proc’ and his gunning crew on the bounce in 2026!

STATS THAT MATTERED

Brady Wright (Darley) - 26 hit outs, 24 disposals, 20 contested possessions

Josh Morris (North Ballarat) - 31 disposals, 11 marks, 7 inside 50s

Nick Hind (Darley) - 37 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 9 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dan Jordan (Darley)
"Hot contest against a high quality side with their season on the line. It was a timely hit-out for us ahead of finals with a reminder of areas we need to work on. Both sides had chances to win the game and naturally we were happy to be in front at the final siren, aware we have some improvement to come. North Ballarat were very good, credit to Clint and the buy-in from the group. Sad to see Cam McCallum call it a day - a warrior of the competition."

Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
"Hell of a game! Can't be prouder of the lads today - we took it up to the best team in the comp and had our chances to win it. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be - but we have unpacked some awesome talent and new identity now to move us into the next phase."

The Swans survived a major scare to restore the faith and a prized finals berth after a 25-point win over Redan at Alfredton Oval.

Trailing by 22 points at halftime, a reset of sorts was the catalyst behind the Swans’ kick into gear - a second half that amounted to an 11-goals-to-three finish and their most important win of the season.

Harry Butler was named best for the Swans confirming his invaluable stocks to his clubs’ fortunes in the absence of marquee recruit Biggie Nyuon.

Butler booted four goals in a dominant display to get the nod of personal recognition ahead of inform trio Tristan Maple, Zak Rinaldi and Wyatt Squires.

Zach Maple and Noah Drever were also prominent sparking the revival.

For Redan, another almost effort - their best for periods is clearly good enough but sustaining the task remains their Achilles heel.

As forecast in the preview, Lachie (four goals) and Taj Bond (three goals), Rudie Forde and Rory Gunsser were always going to impose mounting levels of resistance against the Swans’ finals ambition and were named best for the Lions alongside recent 200 gamer Dean Matthews and next gen talent Zach Mortlock.

The Swans will prepare for a winnable elimination final against Sunbury, who impressed with a 60-point win over Melton.

A repeat of the Swans missing the start against the in-form Lions however will surely mean curtains for Ash Baker's young group.

The home and away season has been full of learnings on all levels for all teams but a recent near miss for the Swans on the road against the Lions (nine points), leaves them with a familiar footy notion to ponder.

"Don't get beat with what you know." 

STATS THAT MATTERED

Brody Pope (Redan) - 35 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 10 clearances

Harry Butler (Ballarat) - 19 disposals, 12 score involvements, 11 marks

Fraser Perkins (Ballarat) - 30 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 9 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT

Ash Baker (Ballarat)
"Really proud of our boys today. Redan, to their credit, brought plenty of pressure to the game early and stifled our ball movement. From half time onwards, we were able to play the game more on our own terms and our efficiency of ball use was much better."

Steve Kane (Redan)
"Gutted for our boys today, played outstanding footy for the first half and should have put the game away. Lost our composure in the third (quarter) and gave away some stupid free kicks. You could be forgiven for thinking our injuries caught up with us in the end today but the guys we brought in from the seconds and the U/18's gave a really good account of themselves and were far from the reason we were beaten. Well done to Ash and his boys, they stayed in the game longer and deserved the win."

Sunbury announced their legitimate arrival in the BFNL premiership race with a 60-point demolition job over Melton at Clarke Oval.

The Lions were never in danger of defeat after four unanswered goals heading into the first quarter break was trumped by another seven shortly after half time. Game over.

Jake Sutton (six goals) and Daniel Johnston (four goals) ran riot in the Lions’ front half, the clear beneficiaries of a mountain of supply and clever kicks to aerial advantage.

While Sutton was well, Sutton at his best, the mobility and footy smarts on display from Johnston raised an eyebrow of what to expect come finals.

The Coburg VFL listed key target was instrumental in the air and at ground level, his ability to keep his feet was rewarded with two goals in general play as the Bloods struggled to find answers.

The Bloods defence looked shaky at best, coughing up their first score of 100 points under Troy Scoble in his two years at the helm.

The Lions won the midfield battle as Jake Egan, Ben Cameron and Harry Power presented in waves through the corridor to expose the Bloods, who were simply hanging in.

Sunbury's defence, led by Tyson Lever, in transition used the ball well and cut up the Bloods who resemble a fading shadow of their best without Jaycob Hickey, Jordy Cotter, Jordy Kight, Ryan Davis, and Brodie Sullivan.

The Bloods loss was compounded by the injury to Zach Russell who suffered a leg injury in the third term and had to be stretchered from the ground.

Braedan Kight (four goals) and Ryan Carter were a shining light on a disappointing day for the Bloods, while Kyle Borg (two goals) chimed in for his customary 'Borg moments’ to remind finals bound clubs he's the man to watch.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jake Egan (Sunbury) - 33 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 9 clearances

Jake Sutton (Sunbury) - 20 disposals, 13 score involvements, 8 marks

Ryan Carter (Melton) - 20 disposals, 7 marks, 6 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT

Matt White (Sunbury)
"Fantastic way to finish off the season. Got a lot of things right against the Bloods which we knew we needed to do as they are a quality opposition. Everyone got through which is an even bigger positive so now we get to look forward to next week."

Troy Scoble (Melton)
"Well done Matty and Sunbury - very polished at the right time of year. Whilst we had small periods where we controlled momentum we were honestly outplayed in all phases of the game. Thanks to Sunbury for their support helping us with a young player in trauma, much appreciated. We have five days to prepare our attack on the finals. It will be a challenge but we go in having beaten every team in the competition so we will seek to draw some confidence from that. Well done to all teams and coaches on a very competitive home and away season. Game on from here!"

It was third time lucky for the Cobras booking their place in the BFNL finals with a morale boosting 20-point win over Sebastopol at Marty Busch Reserve.

The stakes could not have been greater in the context of the two sides respective seasons.

Do or die, while a commonly used phrase, best fit the bill.

The loss for the Burra ends their season in eighth place while the Cobras breathe again ahead of an elimination final with an out-of-sorts Melton.

The story of the day was the long awaited and highly anticipated return of Cobras’ star forward Jake Owen who through difficulty off a compound fracture of the finger was able to impact the contest as we know Owen can, but this was something very special.

You would only have to see the picture of Owen's battered finger post incident to fully understand the nature of what the leading and highly respected Cobra had to endure to be even right to take his place, let alone impact with an equalling game high six goals alongside big game performer Jake McCreery (six goals).

The Burra simply had no answers for the pair as the Cobras led at every change to silent the loyal and faithful Burra mob in the stands.

Werribee VFL listed Cobras’ half back Rye Penny had arguably his best game for the club in his second year rising to the occasion with veteran Tyson Shea who would've prepared himself to the letter for this last roll of the dice finals tilt.

Ethan McKercher (three goals) zipped around like a cracker to have the Burra in a spin, while the aerial efforts of Kai Tyrell were duly noted when number one ruckman Luke Goetz moved deep forward to manage soreness.

The setting for Tony Lockyer's Sebastopol was ideal, home deck and finals berth at stake, but they were unable to contain the offensive nature of the Cobras and their ability to score.

Melton should be nervous given their scoring struggles of late, knowing Owen has pulled up well and is ready to go.

The Burra went down with dignity under Lockyer, a season marred with frustration around injury, availability and connection.

Sam Wilkinson was named best on a trying day out for the hosts ahead of Jack Bambury (three goals) and Hugo Papst (three goals).

STATS THAT MATTERED

Toby Hutt (Sebastopol) - 33 hit outs, 25 disposals, 16 contested possessions

Jake Owen (Bacchus Marsh) - 15 disposals, 12 score involvements, 9 marks 

Jake McCreery (Bacchus Marsh) - 27 disposals, 17 score involvements, 8 inside 50s

COACHES’ VERDICT

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
"Disappointed for the season to be over for the club, we know our best footy could compete so to not be playing in the finals stings, couldn't get our best going. Credit to Dennis and Bacchus Marsh. They executed brilliant ball movement today and deserve to be in. We won't lose focus on the progress we have made this year overall and look forward to further growth in 2026. Proud of this group."

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
"Amazing result for the club, three football sides in finals is a credit to so many involved in our community. We respect Tony and Sebastopol a lot and we knew it was going to be a great game, which it was. We came with a plan, and I believe we executed it for four quarters. We will enjoy this moment and come tomorrow we focus on finals footy where the season resets. Exciting!"

With second spot sewn up, East Point simply did what they had to do enroute to a commanding 64-point win over Lake Wendouree at CE Brown Reserve.

While it wasn't vintage Kangas by any stretch, coach Joe Carmody was happy to just get through unscathed as four key players made their returns ahead of the business end.

Jordan Johnston (best), Bryce McDougall (one goal), Jack Jeffrey and Brodie Willems got through their return games with Matty Johnston, Joe Dodd and Joel Van Meel in the pipeline to join them for Saturday's qualifying final against the Devils at Darley Park.

Jacob Brown (six goals) and Jarrod Joyce (three goals) aided a three-pronged Kangas attack forward of the ball, alongside McDougall to combine for 10 of the Kangas’ 14 goals, despite a collective inaccurate return on the goal front across the day.

That won't bother the Kangas one iota though.

Seasoned trio Mickitja Rotumah-Onus, Jackson Merrett and Billy Jones continued with their run of recent good form joining Johnston, Brown and Joyce in the best for the winners.

The depleted Lakers were given little or no hope of recording the upset of the year but acquitted themselves well, much to the delight of their coach Rohan Brown.

The winless Lakers, missing up to six frontliners, debuted another three players for the uphill battle and didn't let Brown down according to his glowing report in the aftermath.

The Kangas have bigger fish to fry this week against the Devils, a team they haven't beaten this year.

The inclusion of the expected top-end reinforcements will ensure they're at least a chance of bucking the trend down the highway.

Don't miss Saturday's Qualifying Final LIVE with full commentary via the BFNL Match Centre from 2pm Saturday at Darley Park. 

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jordan Johnston (East Point) - 29 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 11 marks

Will Clark (Lake Wendouree) - 38 disposals, 10 marks, 9 clearances

Jacob Brown (East Point) - 20 disposals, 15 score involvements, 13 marks

COACHES’ VERDICT

Rohan Brown (Lake Wendouree)
"I've said it all year that I have the most amazing bunch of men that show up no matter what - it's an absolute credit to their character. Average age yesterday we think may have been 19 years old. Been a challenging year and to have six of our best out against quality opposition, we challenged, and I thought for periods of the game were the better side on the ground. Bloody rapt for the group to finish the way we did, again it says a lot about our club. We exposed another three debutants who all held their own including 16-year-old Billy O'Kelly from Mount Clear. We announced some key retention signings after the game and a couple of new ones that will make a difference - I’ve no doubt."

Joe Carmody (East Point)
"Good to get some game time into the four players that have missed four or more weeks of footy. Got through the game unscathed which is a massive bonus with more players returning next week."