BFNL Football Review - Round 18, 2026

Bacchus Marsh legend Tyson Shea was given the ideal send off from teammates as the Cobras overwhelmed the Lakers on the road to the tune of 107 points.

While key forward Joel Freeman did the bulk of the damage on the scoreboard booting 10 goals 6, the afternoon was all about Shea’s last game and giving the 10 x club best and fairest a day to remember.

Shea’s three goals in isolation would be dear to the Cobra veteran’s heart I assure you.

Not a noted goalkicker over his long journey, Shea would have loved hitting the scoreboard and the opportunity to sing the victory theme song one last time.

Freeman’s ten goal haul elevated the dangerous forward to a share of eighth place in the Tony Lockett Medal race with 30 goals, alongside teammate Jake Owen and Redan’s Lachie Bond.

Another tough day at the office for the Lakers unfolded despite posting their highest score since round 13 and conceding their lowest since Round 14.

Whichever way you look at the current climate, it looks every bit a long road back for the Lakers who are winless in the last two seasons (0-36). Fingers crossed they can find a way back to the winner’s list sooner rather than later.

The win for the Cobras was their eighth for the season making it a clean sweep 6-0 against the bottom three sides. Wins against Melton and Sunbury early in the season were their highlights as Dennis Armfield, like many rival coaches, had to find a way around long-term injuries to key players. The Cobras eight wins matches their returns from 2025.

Out of the weekend, Shea and Freeman aside, the Cobras named Luke Goetz, Zach Vesty, Josh Huxtable (one goal) and Isaac Nixon as among the best while the Lakers settled on Kyle Anderson, Bailey Ryan, Lewis Antonac (one goal), Liam Holmes, Alfred Jarnestrom and Paddy Corbett as the pick of their bunch.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Joel Freeman (Bacchus Marsh) - 31 disposals, 24 contested possessions, 10 goals

Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 58 hitouts, 23 disposals, 17 contested possessions

Alfred Jarnestrom (Lake Wendouree) - 44 disposals, 15 rebound 50s, 7 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Jake Lohmann (Lake Wendouree)
“Again. Another opportunity to learn and get better with a proud and united 22. We probably played our best 20 mins of footy in the 3rd quarter for the whole year. Super games again for our young guns - who have stepped up massively this year. We are not as far away as people think. It can turn really quickly. We need complete buy in and changes off field to strengthen and a couple key position players. It will turn. Watch this space for 2027. Well done to Bacchus the better team on the day and all the best to some of their legends into the future. Goodluck to everyone in finals.”

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
“Great to finish the year off with a good win and some difficult conditions. Credit to Jake and the Lakers for the way they threw everything at us for four quarters, especially first 15mins of the 3rd. Having played 48 players and missing out on finals by percentage is a bittersweet. It all ends yet we developed our list. We now get fully behind our reserves and U18.5s”

Sunbury defeated an undermanned Ballarat at Clarke Oval by 19 points ahead of a highly anticipated finals campaign for both sides.

While the Lions looked to resemble the best version of themselves in a dress rehearsal for what’s to come, the Swans took no risks having already locked in third position on the table.

Reigning Tony Lockett Medallist Jake Sutton (Sydney VFL) missed for the hosts while Brad Crouch, Alex Keath and Fraser Perkins were notable absentees for the visitors.

In what was perceived a dead rubber you could not deny the Lions a third win in six tries against top three opposition giving every indication their best is good enough.

The Lions won 3.5 quarters in isolation sounding alarm bells for rivals Darley who they meet this week in a fourth v fifth elimination final.

Jake Egan was named best for the winners ahead of Coburg VFL listed pair Daniel Johnston (three goals) and Jordyn Gillard (two goals).

Lions’ utility Jack Newitt continued his run of good form to feature prominently alongside Zach Stevens and Myles Gollant.

For the travelling bevy, Tristan Maple made light work of his return from VFL duties to be named best ahead of Biggie Nyuon who slotted a game high six goals to secure the Tony Lockett Medal.

Whilst the Lions meet out of form bogie side Darley in week one of the finals, the Swans will have their work cut out progressing when they meet the Bloods despite their superior (3rd v 6th) win / loss season.

Cracking finals series ahead, I’m sure both sides can’t wait!!

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jack Newitt (Sunbury) - 39 disposals, 13 marks, 11 clearances

Jake Egan (Sunbury) - 32 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 clearances   

Bailey Fraser (Ballarat) - 20 disposals, 9 intercept possessions, 8 marks

COACHES’ VERDICT

Matty White (Sunbury)
“Happy to get through with no injuries and a good win. Getting the VFL boys back in now is great and to have a win against quality oppo helps the connection going into a final’s series. We’ll test some guys who missed during the week and have a tough night at selection!”

Ash Baker (Ballarat)
“Disappointing result today for us. Outplayed and out hunted for most of the first half and were lucky not to be further behind on the scoreboard. Matty has got his team playing a good brand of football at the moment. We’ll have a quick review of the game as a team and move on pretty quickly, as we look towards our elimination final next week and begin our preparation for another really big challenge.”

Sebastopol finished their home and away season on a high with a 15th win of the season holding out the determined Melton by 13 points.

Tony Lockyer’s men led all day and won three quarters in isolation despite the close nature of the affair. Ironically it was the second week in a row Sebastopol had been held to less than 10 goals and still won.

Midfielders Felix Henderson and Jack Bambury were named in the best for the winners while key talls Joel Edwards (two goals) and Cooper Littlehales (three goals) rated worthy mentions.

For the Bloods, Braedan Kight booted a game high five goals to finish within four of Ballarat’s Biggie Nyuon in the race for the Tony Lockett Medal. All too familiar and reliable Bloods names featured prominently behind Kight in a share of best player honours - namely Riley Walker, Jaycob Hickey, Jordy Cotter, Lachlan Walker and Brody Sullivan.

The Bloods winning chances suffered a double blow heading in with the absence of Billy Crofts and ruckman Joshua Stewart (illness) but expect them both to return for the elimination final against Ballarat on Saturday.

However, the availability of Lachlan Phillips, Adrian Monitto, Ryan Davis, Jack Walker is in doubt after all were sidelined on the bench for the last quarter. Important utility Conrad Farrugia is also in doubt having missed last week with a shoulder/collarbone complaint.

The Burra have tried to manage their players as best as possible leading into finals - it’s thought Ben Hutt (knee) and Luke Kiel (knee) will be in the mix with x-factor forward Adam Forbes for a qualifying final return against North Ballarat.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol) - 37 disposals, 12 marks, 11 intercept possessions

Riley Walker (Melton) - 30 disposals, 13 rebound 50s, 8 marks

Lachlan Cassidy (Sebastopol) - 32 disposals, 13 score involvements, 5 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
“A great game of footy against a club we have a huge amount of respect for. We know it will always be a quality contest with Scobes and his troops and this was no different. Intensity was up at the contest. We wanted to bring a high level of pressure, and I felt we did that. Created some good chances in forward half from it. Melton play a great brand and kept challenging throughout the day. We wish them all the best for finals action, they’ll go well. Exciting month ahead for the competition.”

Troy Scoble (Melton)
“Terrific game to finish the season off just what you want, combative and high intensity. In fairness Sebas led from start to finish we absorbed a lot but were able to counterattack for much of the game to have a shot late but just couldn’t quite nail our attack phase with composure, partly due to the defensive pressure in the game from Sebas. Terrific season for Tony and his troops wish them well in their finals campaign they will be a formidable opponent to all teams. Was not the ideal home and away season but for us to qualify for another finals campaign as a club we are proud of our group. Season done and now we enter match play. The 6 is very even and our form against the best gives us reason for optimism.”

North Ballarat sealed the minor premiership with a comfortable 36-point win over an out-of-sorts Devils outfit at Darley Park.

It was an eighth win on the trot for Clint Proctor’s progressive group who look to have more improvement up their sleeve.

Darley look a shell of their 2025 dominant selves having lost four their last five games including three of those at home, a venue they had won 17 games in a row previous.

The loss for the Devils was compounded by the untimely hamstring scare of star mid Brett Bewley and season ending injury to Jayven Tanner (fractured cheekbone),

While the Devils title defence is looking shaky at best, one cannot deny the form of the Roosters.

Sam Glover, Dom Penny and Josh Morris were solid contributors all day denying the Devils an inch while Jye Lockett made it 10 games in a row of multiple goal returns in front of the big sticks.

The performance was every bit what you would expect from the newly crowned minor premiers ahead of a very open finals series.

For the Devils, Mikey Edwards was a standout in a losing side while Duncan Cadman impressed in his role against the odds conceding both height and size.

Unfortunately, the jury is out on the Devils current form, their only win in the last five weeks coming against the Lakers on August 1.

With finals now upon us, North Ballarat meet Sebastopol in the qualifying final on Saturday while it’s do-or-die for Darley up against Sunbury in Sunday’s elimination final.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Sam Glover (North Ballarat) - 21 disposals, 17 marks, 15 intercept possessions

Jye Lockett (North Ballarat) - 27 disposals, 11 score involvements, 10 marks

Brett Bewley (Darley) - 29 disposals, 6 clearances, 5 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dan Jordan (Darley)
“I thought our effort was there today, but we were simply outclassed in the end. Congratulations to Proc, his boys are humming at the right time of the season. Looking forward to the challenge ahead against Sunbury and the opportunity for us to improve. Should be a belter of a final’s series.”

Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
“Physical contest today. Very difficult match throughout the day - both teams challenged and had moments. It’s always a difficult game vs Darley regardless of ladder positions anytime of the year. Time to recover and re-set for our finals campaign - super proud of the club this year with all teams featuring in top 3. Exciting to be a part of September.”

Redan earned a fifth win of the season with a comfortable 28-point victory over East Point at City Oval.

Marc Greig’s young group won every quarter in the ninth v eighth battle of the rebuilds.

Lions’ big man Taj Bond ended his injury interrupted season with a game high five goals to be named best on ground ahead of Rory Bell, Nick Barker, Pat Fitzgibbon, Zach Mortlock and the ever consistent Rory Gunsser who made it a 10th appearance in 13 games.

It was a disappointing end for the Kangas who had been ‘up a while’ with a number of close losses.

Liam Canny and Jack Jeffrey were named best in a losing side while Cooper Glenwright-McGuane continues to impress finishing with a team high three goals.

A couple of top up recruits and a healthy pre-season will be on the Christmas wish list for these two sides moving forward.

Rival sides would be the first to concede both Redan and East Point are not far away from knocking on the door of finals.

With Gisborne coming into the competition next year, spots in the top six will be harder than ever to consolidate.

An exciting pre-season awaits.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Liam Canny (East Point) - 35 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 13 clearances

Rory Gunsser (Redan) - 40 disposals, 13 mark, 6 tackles

Brody Pope (Redan) - 35 disposals, 10 marks, 10 clearances  

COACHES’ VERDICT

Marc Greig (Redan)
“A good reward to get the win for the lads and a good finish to a positive 12-week block of games. We felt in control for most of the game and unfortunately couldn’t kick straight to increase the margin earlier. Some very positive signs/efforts from so many of our teenagers was the most pleasing aspect.”

Tommy Molan (East Point)
“A disappointing loss to end our season today. We looked like a team that had played on heavy grounds for too many weeks and didn’t have any run left in the legs. Credit to Redan they had plenty of run and connected the ground well. We struggled to get the game on our terms at any stage but still felt in it at 3 quarter time. Taj Bond was the difference all day. We are pleased that we got games into many of our younger boys towards the end of the year and feel confident that we can push again in 2027.”