BFNL Football Review - Week 1 Finals, 2026

A late goal from ball magnet Felix Henderson sent the Burra faithful into raptures and a second semi final showdown with Ballarat after a thrilling four-point win over North Ballarat at Alfredton Oval.

In what has been described as the game of the year so far, this qualifying final had everything.

Lead changes, clutch goals, high marks, x-factor brilliance, tireless work rates and an insatiable appetite for success but unfortunately there could only be one winner.

Alfredton Oval looked the best it had all season, glowing under the afternoon long sun, setting the scene for a clash of the ages - and it indeed it was!

Sebastopol held the advantage early extending a four-point quarter time lead to 16 at the main break. In fairness, the Roosters had their share of possession but couldn’t capitalise as the 5.6 to 8.4 score line would suggest.

North Ballarat coach Clint Proctor was busy with the magnets. Moving Sam Glover (three goals) forward, joining Isaac Lovisson (2.4) in a two-pronged aerial attack.

The move provided an immediate response as Glover’s class rose to the top with three crucial goals to eat into the margin from late in the second term to midway through the third.

Lovisson also threatened with his strong hands but his unorthodox approach at set shots came with mixed results but enough for the Roosters to earn a four-point lead at the final change. Game on!

The match simply exploded in the final term, as two league heavyweights went goal for goal, refusing to throw in the towel.

X-factor talent Jamie Quick (four goals) was timely on goal all afternoon, and bobbed up when the Roosters needed it most. He, Declyn McGuigan (two goals), Lovisson and Glover kept the Roosters in it.

Felix Henderson and Tony Lockyer were the standouts for the Burra, while the depth of impact contributors could not be underestimated.

For the Roosters, Glover and Josh Morris were the pick of the bunch in an otherwise even performance that saw them lose no admirers despite falling agonisingly short.

The minor premiers face Sunbury in a sudden death semi final who couldn’t have impressed more in their 68-point demolition job over Darley. Lions star talent Jake Sutton (Sydney VFL) will be available.

Proctor’s progressive young group will start favourites having won their two previous meets against Matty White’s Lions in 2026 by 86 (Round 4) and 29 points (Round 16).

STATS THAT MATTERED

Felix Henderson (Sebastopol) - 37 disposals, 10 marks, 9 score involvements

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol) - 32 disposals, 12 rebound 50s, 7 intercept possessions

Joshua Morris (North Ballarat) - 27 disposals, 10 rebound 50s, 9 marks 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
“Cracking game - exactly what finals football is all about. I thought Sebas handled the big moments evidently a lot better than we did. But having said that I’m really proud of the lads - we played the right way in the end. We will take our learnings and medicine.”

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
“Epic game of country footy. Amazing to be a part of it, both sides throwing everything at it right up until the end where it could have gone either way. Great showcase for the BFNL. Strong first half from our boys, then a super 3rd quarter from North set up the quality finish. So proud of our boys stepping up when needed in the big moments. They have answered the call all year when challenged. We reset now and we look forward to Ballarat next week.”

Ballarat’s big guns led them to a comfortable 33-point win over the Melton at Marty Busch Reserve.

The win provides Ash Baker’s bevy with a prized double chance and two opportunities to reach the biggest day on the BFNL calendar. The flipside however spells a premature end to Melton’s season under third year coach Troy Scoble.

Experienced trio Alex Keath, Tristan Maple and Brad Crouch (one goal) featured prominently for the Swans while soon to be crowned Tony Lockett Medallist Biggie Nyuon won the battle of the leading forwards finishing with a game high five goals.

Fraser Perkins (two goals) was clearly the beneficiary after being rested in Round 18, alongside Crouch and Keath, providing a handful for the ‘Bloodahood’ to contain.

Paddy Simpson (three goals) continued with his consistent run of form while Zak Rinaldi (one goal) helped fill the void in the absence of his brother Lewis who missed with a cork.

Despite being held to one goal at quarter time the Swans still led the Bloods by seven points in a genuine arm wrestle craving a breakout moment or highlight.

The game opened up after quarter time as the Swans validated their superior 3rd v 6th stance on the BFNL ladder booting an accurate 11.4 to the Bloods’ 5.7 through the middle stages to set up a match winning 40-point lead at the final change.

An untimely recurrence of a hamstring injury to Bloods’ star mid Billy Crofts ahead of the halftime break essentially ended any chances of a miracle comeback as the Footscray VFL talent was hampered to a shell of his capabilities credit to him for soldiering on.

The Bloods did show some dash winning the final quarter narrowly but the bird, in this case a swan, had already flown.

Ever consistent mid Jaycob Hickey was named best for the Bloods ahead of Crofts, Joshua Stewart, Caleb Burquest, Lachlan Walker and usual suspect Jordy Cotter.

Bloods leading forward Braedan Kight booted two goals.

While the travelling assignment was always going to be tough for the Bloods, their chances were dealt a tough blow losing Adrian Monitto and Ryan Davis in their Round 18 competitive loss to Sebastopol.

The Swans on the other hand are beginning to resemble close to their best 22 despite cruising under the radar with up to five of their preferred still missing - Andrew Hooper (season). Lewis Rinaldi (test), Luke Dunstan (test), Riley Constable (test) and Thomas Simpson (VFL).

Congratulations to Swans’ link man Wyatt Squires who made his long awaited and safe return from a foot injury and recent surgery.

Squires had not played since Round 10, while it was just the second game for Rhys Perry since Round seven having struggled with an ankle issue.

Ballarat meet Sebastopol this weekend in a cracking second semi final while North Ballarat and Sunbury face off in the first semi final decider.

Buckle up!

STATS THAT MATTERED

Fraser Perkins (Ballarat) - 37 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 10 clearances

Biggie Nyuon (Ballarat) - 16 disposals, 10 marks, 8 score involvements, 5 goals

Ryan Carter (Melton) - 20 disposals, 17 hitouts, 9 marks 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Ash Baker (Ballarat)
“Really impressed with our intent across four quarters today against a quality finals proven opposition. It was a real arm wrestle early before being able to get the game on our terms a little bit more in the second. Credit to Troy and his team - they came at us hard in the third and right through until the final siren. Plenty of learnings in the game as we look forward to another big game next week.”

Troy Scoble (Melton)
“Planned well and felt we rose to the occasion in the first quarter in all phases. We just did not convert opportunities that the momentum we had generated, credit to Ballarat’s defence. The game was separated in a 5-10 min burst in the second then we had to chase the game and invariably you open certain parts of the game trying to generate attack. Went to work at half time and had another strong patch in the third but Ballarat answered again. Had enough territory and opportunity generated over 20 scoring shots but the execution of Ballarat was superior and more consistent over the course of the day. I said last time Ballarat’s list build is impressive. The top 3 this year have elevated themselves. We rallied well in second half season pushing to the final siren and now our season ends with disappointment but perspective.”

Sunbury progressed to a first semi final meeting with North Ballarat after a dominant 68-point win over Darley at Darley Park.

Matty White’s Pride came to play looking to end a run of seven outs in the process against Dan Jordan’s Devils. And that they did in emphatic style.

The Lions booted 13 of the last 14 goals of the game after the Devils led by as much as 10 points early in the second quarter.

There were warning signs early when Sunbury kicked the first four goals of the game before the Devils responded with the next five - but the rest they say, is history.

Sunbury simply bullied their nemesis with superior work rate, and execution of the basic fundamentals.

Lions’ pair Daniel Johnston and Patrick Scanlon revelled in the moment booting four goals while reigning Henderson Medallist Jake Egan (two goals) led a merry dance acquiring ridiculous second half numbers in particular.

Joint captain Tyson Lever was typically at work doing his intercept thing as the Lions’ overlap in transition drained the energy levels of all men donning the black and white.

The Devils had no answers for the Lions in front of a monster crowd under bright blue skies.

Ironically there was a sea of blue at ground level in the form of Sunbury who ran riot, sensing a feast.

The Lions had many winners all over the ground, their impact, compliance and will to the contest was palpable.

Onwards and upwards for Sunbury into week two of the finals having put an end to the Devils’ title defence.

Darley would be disappointed with their last month let alone Sunday, ending their season with four straight losses while averaging just over seven goals a game (6,8,6,9).

Jordan’s boys have been labouring for some time, unable to recapture the aura that led them to 2023 and 2025 glory.

Over the last 50 years, the Devils have yet to feature in a grand final the following year after winning any one of their seven premierships.

All hamstrung Devils star pair Brett Bewley and Joel Cadman could do was watch from the sidelines.

The Lions are likely to be bolstered by the return of Jake Sutton for Sunday’s semi final assignment.

Finally, a change of luck for a Lions group under White as the Pride looks the healthiest of any time they have this season.

Unfortunately, however, the same can be said for a North Ballarat outfit waiting in the wings, keen to avoid a straight sets exit.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jake Egan (Sunbury) - 31 disposals, 12 score involvements, 10 marks

Billy Myers (Darley) - 30 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 16 hitouts

Jack Newitt (Sunbury) - 33 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 8 1%ers 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dan Jordan (Darley)
“Soundly beaten, full credit to Matty and Sunbury well deserving of the win. We enjoyed a patch to hit the front in the second quarter, but it was a struggle for us either side of that. It just wasn’t our day, like all good clubs we win together and we lose together. We’ll take a breather, savour the break off a long season and prepare to go again. I’ve full faith in our group to bounce back. Best of luck to the four remaining coaches and their teams for the rest of the finals series.”

Matty White (Sunbury)
“A really nice way to get the finals campaign going. five changes can have an impact on a side, but the rest really gave some boys some extra life. We had to play our best game for the year to get over the old foe Darley. A few boys coming back in really hitting form at the right time. No time to celebrate that win, a trip up the highway for North awaits so we recover and get ready to go again.”