Junior Representative Netball comes to Ballarat next week as our BFNL rep teams host Colac at Ballarat High School on Monday.
Coming off a number of impressive performances across 2023 so far, all three BFNL Netball rep teams will be in play on Monday night.
Action for the Under 13 and 15 teams will get underway at 6:30pm before the Under 17s hit the court at 7:40pm.
All three games will take place at Ballarat High School against Colac.
Please find below important information for supporters and attendees to be aware of for this Sunday’s Ballarat Toyota Junior Grand Final Day at MARS Stadium.
Junior Grand Final 2022
Adults - $12
Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $26
Age Pensioner - $7
8 - 16yo - $5
U/8 – Free
Footy Record – $4 (Special Edition)
Note: Eftpos is available and encouraged as the preferred payment method.
Gates
Gates open at 6:45am
All matches will be filmed. Matches will be available for purchase following the Grand Finals and further information will be provided around this in the coming weeks.
All matches will be live scored on the day for those that are unable to attend the match. Scores can be accessed through specific competitions on the BFNL public results pages here:
Football - https://bit.ly/3Q4H8gg
Netball - https://bit.ly/3KPteh6
Please see details and map below for assistance with entry & parking requirements this Sunday.
Entry to MARS Stadium:
NO DOGS are permitted within the precinct this weekend.
Parking is available at the following locations:
General Parking:
Disabled Parking:
The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL has today received a recommendation from AFL Victoria, as announced through AFL Goldfields, that community football leagues and programs should postpone training and matches until May 31st.
The league welcomes and endorses this recommendation for our clubs, their members and players health and wellbeing.
In the interim, the board of the Ballarat FNL will work closely with AFL Goldfields and AFL Victoria over the coming weeks to determine the structure of the 2020 McDonald’s BFNL competitions.
With the abovementioned recommendation, the start of the 2020 McDonald’s BFNL season will be delayed until the end of May initially, with the league to reassess the situation at this time, based on the advice of health professionals and sporting bodies.
Affected by this announcement will include:
| Barwon Netball Championships | Sunday 22nd March 2020 | Cancelled |
| BFNL Media Day | Sunday 29th March 2020 | Cancelled |
| BFNL Junior Lightning Premiership | Sat 4th / Sun 5th April 2020 | Cancelled |
| BFNL Season Launch | Friday 17th April 2020 | Cancelled |
| McDonald's Senior Season | Saturday 18th April 2020 | Postponed |
| McDonald's Junior Season | Sunday 19th April 2020 | Postponed |
| Western Bulldogs Under 9's | Friday 24th April 2020 | Postponed |
| Senior Interleague (-v- Bendigo FNL) | Saturday 2nd May 2020 | Cancelled |
| Junior Interleague (-v- Bendigo JFNL) | Saturday 14th June 2020 | Cancelled |
The Ballarat Football Netball League is pleased to release the 2023 BFNL 9 & Under Netball fixture. Nine clubs will compete commencing Friday the 28th of April, 2023. Each club will host a Friday evening with all games being played at Ballarat High School indoor netball courts.
Competitions will run on Friday nights from April 28 for nine weeks. This competition focuses on development and participation.
The following clubs have entered teams in the BFNL 9 & Under netball program.
There will be two game times with the first game commencing at 6pm followed by a 6.45pm game.
Ballarat High School will be running the canteen weekly for the BFNL 9 & Under netball program.
Round 1: Friday April 28, Ballarat High School
Host Club: Ballarat Swans
Games:
6pm Ballarat Swans v Storm
6pm Sebastopol v Mount Clear
6pm North Ballarat v East Point
6.45pm Redan v Lake Wendouree (1)
6.45pm Lake Wendouree (2) v Woady Yaloak
The McDonalds Ballarat FNL have today released details of how individual player points will be assessed for the 2021 season.
Based upon feedback provided to the CCSP sub-committee, the following protocols will be applied for the 2021 season across the region.
BFNL club Total Team Points for 2021 will be those as assessed for the 2020 season, each club’s total points being:
| Bacchus Marsh | 43 |
| Ballarat | 43 |
| Darley | 43 |
| East Point | 43 |
| Lake Wendouree | 43 |
| Melton | 43 |
| Melton South | 47 |
| North Ballarat City | 43 |
| Redan | 43 |
| Sebastopol | 45 |
| Sunbury | 43 |
* Application being made to AFL Victoria to confirm additional points to a maximum 50 as per approved for 2020
For individual player points assessments:
This clause specifically refers to those players who were a multi-point player at the end of 2019 and remain with the club for 2021.
If clubs have retained players, it will free up points for additional recruiting for 2021. If they were at the top of their available points for 2020 through recruiting and they have retained these players then they will have the list which they deemed to be suitable for 2020.
The announcement today provides certainty to the leagues clubs who will now be able to plan for the upcoming McDonald’s BFNL senior premiership season.
Please note a change to the date of the 2021 Henderson & McLean Medals night, now to be held on Monday the 20th of September at 7pm.
With the current restrictions in place and the lack of clarity in the near future, all awards nights will be online and streamed through social media and the league website.
This is a first for the league and will allow proper and due recognition to the best players across all competitions in 2021.
With a deep and rich history, the senior competition Henderson & McLean Medals, along with the Robert Allan Medal for juniors will be joined by the awards presented for the best female footballers in the BFLW.
Through the services of media partner Red Onion, the live-streamed awards will be presented through BFNL social media and website (www.bfnl.com.au) as follows:
• McDelivery BFLWomen's Awards Night
oWednesday 8thSeptember 2021 from 7pm*
• McDonald's Ballarat BFNL Robert Allan Medal
oMonday 13thSeptember 2021 from 7pm*
• McDonald's Ballarat BFNL Henderson & McLean Medals
o Monday 20thSeptember 2021 from 7pm*
* Start time TBC
END RELEASE
The McDonalds Ballarat FNL is proud to be part of Community Umpiring Week as we celebrate, acknowledge and highlight the invaluable contribution and role umpires play to our games each weekend.
Each week the Ballarat FNL is fortunate enough to have great support from our umpiring community as they perform an integral part of our matches going ahead.
This week we create awareness around umpiring pathways and promote respect for the men, women, girls and boys who officiate matches at all levels of footy and netball around the country.
There are many great reasons to get involved with umpiring including developing life skills, making friends, having flexible training options, keeping fit, making some extra money and developing a pathway to the higher level.
You can also find a balance between playing and umpiring across a weekend to keep involved with your sport.
It is also a timely reminder to remind our community that there is zero tolerance to poor behaviour towards umpires.
The role of umpires must be recognised and respected by the coaches, players, officials, spectators and families.
It is an umpire’s job to officiate the game within the rules and keep our players safe.
We need to remind everyone involved in our game of the consequences of poor behaviour towards an umpire.
The actions can have a much greater impact than what you think. We need to reiterate the need to treat umpires with respect.
Clubs and Families can help ensure the health and safety of umpires by educating players and members on showing and treating umpires with respect.
Officials, players, members, spectators and families should never argue, dispute decisions, make negative or derogatory remarks or gestures towards an umpire.
No one should behave in a manner to disturb the normal course of play in a game.
Not only is the behaviour setting a bad example for those around us, it distracts the umpire and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.
So please when heading to a game this weekend, and every weekend, remember, It’s only a game and it’s important to set a good example of respecting umpires for all of those involved.
Without umpires there is no game!
Thank you to all the umpires out there that show up each week and do their best to ensure we all get to enjoy the great game of football and netball.
The board of the Ballarat FNL have today confirmed a pathway to the conclusion of the 2021 senior football and netball season.
This plan moving forward is designed to provided certainty for all stakeholders (clubs, players, and the league) in the best interests of the senior competitions.
With many variables as we move through this current period, the league has tried to create a compromise at all points that takes in to account the varying needs and wants of all clubs across the league.
The announcement yesterday from government that lockdown and further restriction will continue for another two weeks, means the earliest date for competition would be Saturday 4th September.
There is a requirement to provide a minimum 7-day period for a return to training before competition can commence, in effect means the earliest date for competition will be Saturday 11th September 2021.
In summary:
As each week progresses from the 11th of September that finals are delayed, the bottom two clubs based on ladder position will be removed from finals.
This is a last resort and a tough decision that was made by the board to move through to a finalisation of the season. The final date the grand final can be held is the 2nd of October 2021, which is designed to give as much time as possible to have a premiership decided via a game.
League chair Adrian Bettio added:
“The aim of the BFNL board is to provide fairness and equality to all clubs and maintain the integrity of our competition.
It is a delicate and complex balancing act, and we accept that we are not going to please everyone. As with all leagues, we have had little choice but to evolve with the conditions.
“We face a unique situation in the Ballarat FNL with clubs that cross regional and metro areas which has created many challenges."
The league respects the right of all clubs who have qualified for finals to have the ability to compete in a final’s series with all other clubs” In other competitions, the McDonalds BFNL Junior finals series will kick off this weekend, along with Youth / Junior BFLW games.
BFLW open age competition will be paused along the same lines as the senior competition to allow the opportunity for Melton Centrals to compete in that final’s series
It's back - but no crowds, please!
In line with the easing of restrictions, the McDelivery BFLW and McDonald's Ballarat FNL junior competitions return to play this weekend. We appreciate all of our clubs, players, volunteers and families helping us keep the competition safe as we return to play.
Following the announcement of the return of senior competitions, the McDonald's Ballarat FNL is also pleased to announce a return to play for the Junior & BFLW competitions.
Both competitions will recommence from this Sunday 1stAugust 2021 under strict COVID protocols.
A revised fixture has been completed for both competitions that will ensure a more equitable fixture and a maximisation of games.
Changes made to fixtures include:
BFNL Juniors
BFLW
Western Bulldogs Under 9’s
The Under 9 competition will not return with current restrictions, however, the remaining rounds will look to be rescheduled when restrictions allow a return to play for this competition.
With crowds restricted at venues under the current stage of restrictions, entry will be strictly limited to players and officials from each competing club only. Further advice will be provided from both AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria soon.
The BFNL is excited to have competition football and netball back in the premier competition across the region.
END RELEASE
Following the release of Victoria's 'roadmap' out of lockdown, the board of the McDonald's Ballarat FNL has, with deep regret, cancelled junior finals.
It is with deep regret that the board of the McDonald's Ballarat FNL have made the decision to cancel the finals for BFNL Junior and BFLW Youth / Junior competitions.
This decision, therefore, ends the 2021 seasons for all grades in these competitions. Teams that finished on top of the ladder at the end of the home & away season will be recognised as the minor premiers.
With the announcement today of the roadmap for a return to activities, it is clear that community sport will not be able to commence until a fully vaccinated rate of 80% has been achieved, expected to be around the 5th of November 2021.
Whilst the board have allowed as much time as possible to play finals, it is now evident this is not possible under the current plan.
This decision will at least provide certainty to all the junior players, volunteers, and families that the season has concluded.
League chair, Adrian Bettio:
“This decision is one that we knew was coming but we all wanted to hold out some hope that it would not eventuate. I feel for the kids who just want to get and play with their mates and finish the year with finals.
“We will do everything over the offseason to make sure the 2022 season gives everyone the opportunity to play and to catch up on two lost years through COVID.
“I want to thank the many club volunteers and parents for their patience, understanding and support of the league and each other through challenging times."
END RELEASE
Player nominations to trial for the McDonald's Ballarat FNL Junior Netball 22/23 Representative Teams are now open on the link below.
Applications close on the 10th of October 2022.
The McDonald's Ballarat FNL Junior Netball Representative program is a great experience for our young netball talent. Nominations are now open to trial for the 2022/2023 representative teams.
All BFNL junior netballers who are keen to try out for our rep teams and who were born between 2006 and 2011 are encouraged to nominate via the online link below.
Dates for trials are yet to be finalised, however, trials will be held in October/November 2022.
This year we will have two 15 & Under Teams going to Association Champs. This gives more players an opportunity to be a part of this great program which will assist in developing skills.
13 & Under – Coach: Leah Macdonald
Players born in 2010 and 2011
15 & Under – Coach: Meg Porter & Di McCormack (Championship Team) and Lisa Strudwick (Development Team)
Players born in 2008 and 2009
17 & Under – Coach: Prue Douglass & Damien Mullane
Players born in 2006 and 2007
You must complete the online nomination form to participate in trials: https://forms.gle/7htXhRcYQhPFwxkh6
Applications for trials will close on the 10th of October.
Jnr Netball Rep Player Nominations Form
Junior Rep Netball is less than four weeks away! The McDonald's Ballarat FNL announces the coaches and players in the 2021 Junior Representative Program.
The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the coaches and players for this year’s BFNL Junior Netball Representative Program.
The League is thrilled with the knowledge and experience that these appointed coaches bring, and they are certainly putting this into practice when developing our junior players within the representative program.
The players and coaches will put their hard work into action at the Association Championships on the 27thof June.
We are pleased to announce the following coaches and players for each of our age groups:
Courtney McLean – Coach
Kara Hart – Coach
Milly Vallance – Mount Clear
Ebony Porter – North Ballarat
Keira McDonald – Ballarat Swans
Maia Murphy – Ballarat Swans
Kate Aikman – North Ballarat
Abby Kinnersly – East Point
Brydee Craig-Peters - Redan
Eliza Ashby – Ballarat Swans
Nathalia Jenkins – Ballarat Swans
Annie Folker – Redan
Katie Williams – Coach
Chelsea Oellering – Mount Clear
Rose Murnane – North Ballarat
Matilda Myers - Redan
Ella Litras - Redan
Isabella McNeill – Lake Wendouree
Georgia Bodey – North Ballarat
Alice Kaine – North Ballarat
Ava Densley - Darley
Addison Wright – Darley
Deb Hutchinson – Coach
Prue Douglass – Coach
Damien Mullane – Coach
Katie Jackson - Redan
Bella Clark – Lake Wendouree
Carlee Hazlett - Redan
Ella Hutchinson – North Ballarat
Rosie Todd – Lake Wendouree
Milly Simpson – North Ballarat
Milly Sharp – East Point
Eloise Wills – North Ballarat
Charlotte Cain – Ballarat Swans
Arlee Bennett – North Ballarat
Rose Pfitzner – North Ballarat
Annie Cowan – Lake Wendouree
The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the Junior Coaches and Players for this year’s BFNL Junior Netball Representative Program.
The League is thrilled with the knowledge and experience that these appointed coaches bring, and they are certainly putting this into practice when developing our junior players within the representative program. The players and coaches put their hard work into action at the Association Championships on the 5th of June 2022.
We are pleased to announce the following coaches and squads for each of our age groups:
13 and Under BFNL Representative Squad
Kate McMahon – Coach
Keira McDonald – Ballarat Swans
Brydee Craig-Peters - Redan
Eliza Ashby – Ballarat Swans
Lyla Sheehan – Lake Wendouree
Emmy Holloway – Lake Wendouree
Gabriella Stanley – Mount Clear
Audrey Murnane – North Ballarat
Allie Kirby – East Point
Hayley Jackson – Ballarat Swans
Ashlee Beseler – North Ballarat
Mia Hayne – Storm
Macy Abrams – North Ballarat
15 and Under BFNL Representative Squad
Di McCormack – Coach
Addison Wright – Darley
Rylee Sheridan – Sebastopol
Penny Follett – North Ballarat
Harriet Hodge – East Point
Madison Dixon – Sebastopol
Scarlett Clayton – Darley
Mackenzie Kopke-Veldhuis - Sebastopol
Amarli Minster - Sebastopol
Maia Murphy – Ballarat Swans
Ebony Porter – North Ballarat
Abby Kinnersly- East Point
Kate Aikman – North Ballarat
Charli Ferguson – North Ballarat
17 and Under Representative Team
Prue Douglass – Coach
Damien Mullane – Coach
Katie Jackson - Redan
Rose Pfitzner – North Ballarat
Annabel Hodge – East Point
Sarah Augustine – East Point
Allanah Trevisan – Mount Clear
Jacinta McKenzie – Ballarat Swans
Georgia Bodey – North Ballarat
Chelsea Oellering – Mount Clear
Rose Murnane – North Ballarat
Isabella McNeill – Lake Wendouree
Emily Davies – Redan
Matilda Myers - Redan
The BFNL wishes all our Netball Representative Players and Coaches the best of Luck in the Barwon Junior Championships. Our first game is tonight and all three Representative Teams will be playing against Geelong District FNL.
Leah Macdonald, Meg Porter, Prue Douglass and Damien Maullane
13 & Under
15 & Under
17 & Under
The McDonalds Ballarat FNL have a number of exciting employment opportunities for 2021.
The role of Netball Umpire Coordinator will be to support the development and growth of netball umpires across the various BFNL netball competitions. The role is ideally suited to those who have the experience and knowledge of netball umpiring that will further enhance the BFNL.
This role is part-time and for a fixed term with flexibility around the hours worked. Refer to the Position Description for more details about the role.
To submit an application, email your resume and brief cover letter to the BFNL Netball Manager, Gemma Murphy at
Applications to be received no later than COB Wednesday 31st March 2021.
The McDonald's Ballarat FNL today announces the return to play and training for competitions across the BFNL after confirmation of the easing of restrictions.
Following yesterday's announcement that regional Victoria will move to different settings than metro Melbourne, the league has worked to put in place plans that will enable the return of junior football and netball from this weekend, while keeping a watching brief on senior competitions.
WESTERN BULLDOGS UNDER 9’s
With the ongoing popularity of the Western Bulldogs Under 9’s, it is determined to place this competition on hold until further clarity is provided around density limits and the ability of crowds to attend these games on Friday evenings.
Games schedule from this Friday will be paused, with the opportunity available for the fixture to be extended into term three of the school year to maximise participation for the youngest age group in the league.
JUNIOR FOOTBALL & NETBALL
BFLW YOUTH COMPETITIONS (Under 14 - Under 18)
COVID PROTOCOLS
Several protocols will be introduced for clubs and members to abide by from this weekend in line with health advice to allow competition to recommence.
Some of these include:
SENIOR FOOTBALL & NETBALL / BFLWomens OPEN
With the current setting that senior competitions can return to limited training, the league will take a “wait and watch” approach to how the football and netball competitions will return to play.
The Ballarat FNL is in a unique position where there are three clubs within the metro boundaries and therefore have different settings to regional clubs.
Considering the current advice, the following impacts will apply to the senior competition fixtures:
Given the short timeframe for further advice, NOgames in any competition will be scheduled for the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
The priority of the BFNL is to ensure that competition can take place in a safe environment that is supportive of members, players, and supporters.
END RELEASE
A wild and windy weekend produced plenty of remarkable results as quarter-by-quarter tussles and astonishing comebacks filled the grounds to kick off finals.
9.9.63
7.9.51
Minor premiers Melton won the battle against fellow league heavyweights East Point to book their place in Saturday's second semi final with Darley.
This highly anticipated affair, 15 weeks on from their one and only meet earlier this year was marred by strong winds that it made it difficult to score, asking questions of all 22 players from both sides to have an impact.
To describe the wash up in its simplest form, all 16 goals of the match were scored at the Bacchus Marsh town end on Darley Park.
Just who could inflict the most damage on the scoreboard during their time with the breeze would go a long way validating the result.
While there were typical moments reflective of the stakes, the game provided little on the form front given the impact of the strong, gusty winds.
Essentially it was the Bloods who outscored the Kangas with the breeze, nine goals to seven. Both sides had their chances into the breeze on rare occasions but every attempt on goal went awry in one way or another.
Bloods swingman Conrad Farrugia highlighted his versatility with a standout three goals when forward and relentless will to compete when asked to provide some relief for number one ruckman Brett McIntrye.
Farrugia took some great grabs and finished off his work in style, making the most of his opportunities.
Not dissimilar on the opportune front for the Bloods was livewire forward Jordy Kight who too finished with three invaluable goals in a relatively low scoring affair where goals came at a premium, requiring their own level of high skill and control.
Midfielders Jaycob Hickey, Jack Walker and Lachlan Walker registered good numbers, just reward for their incomparable work rate.
Harrison Handley had arguably his best game for the Bloods in just his fifth game at senior level for the season.
For the Kangas, a forgive run is granted. They weren't far off the Bloods having led at quarter time and three-quarter time but the lead never reached the comfortable stage.
Jordy Taylor, Mikitja Rottumah-Onus, Alex Molan, Bryson McDougall (three goals), Joel Van Meel and Liam Howard all earned the nod of approval from Joe Carmody's staff to be named in the best players.
East Point meet Ballarat on Sunday with a preliminary final berth up for grabs.
Should be a belter!
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Matt Johnston (East Point) - 31 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 12 clearances
Adrian Monitto (Melton) - 33 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 14 intercept possessions
Brett McIntyre (Melton) - 43 hitouts, 8 contested possessions, 4 marks
COACHES’ VERDICT
Troy Scoble (Melton)
"Most challenging conditions for the year and both teams cracked in worthy of a finals game. The margins were very small in all phases of the game. Fortunately for us we were able to be in front at the end. Credit to both teams trying to play their method. A bounce of the ball here and there separated the game. For us I am proud of our squad, so much adversity through the year to win a final is a step forward for us from last year. Hopefully the weather improves for next week but today showed it is an even finals series for those teams that remain."
Joe Carmody (East Point)
"Very tough conditions, proud of the effort of our boys. Melton are a high class and well coached side and will be hard to beat from here. Great experience for our young guys and we go again."
10.5.65
9.9.63
Surprise packet Ballarat kept its ground-breaking season alive with a stunning come from behind win over Sunbury.
Chris Maple's never-say-die Swans trailed by as much as 36 points at three quarter time before storming home with a seven-goal-to-one final term to progress to a first semi final showdown with East Point.
Elation was clearly palpable for the winners in the aftermath, while you couldn't feel anything less than heartbreak for Matthew White's Lions who did plenty right, outplaying the Swans for three quarters.
Maple wouldn't mind me saying his boys looked rattled for three quarters, with little resemblance of the team that were unbeaten since round 10 heading in.
Descriptions varied from 'haven't shown up' to 'bubble's burst' as word spread of a one-sided affair unfolding at Marty Busch Reserve.
Credit to Sunbury, led by their Captain Tyson Lever who dominated from the outset holding the Swans goal less for the first 40 minutes of the game!
Jake Sutton, Nathan Doyle and Ben Cameron hit the scoreboard for the Lions to aid the advantage with two goals each.
Blake Watson, Riley Miller, Cody Bramble and Jake Egan led the charge before the arrival of a Swans tsunami hijacked any further discussions around an 'early crow'.
Tristan Maple led the revival to be named best ahead of a host of Swans who are becoming more familiar to the broader competition from week-to-week.
The Rinaldi brothers Zak (four goals) and Lewis were super while Rhys Perry, Bailey Fraser and Wil Liston were considered best of the rest according to the Swans’ hierarchy.
Experienced forward Andrew Hooper kicked two vital goals in a massive day for Maple and his beloved Ballarat Football Club.
All this on the back of a late out for the Swans as Lachie Dalgleish (illness) withdrew on the eve of the match.
It was truly an unbelievable climax to a game that saw Sunbury lead for 119 minutes and 53 seconds. Miraculously the Swans were able to find the line with their noses in front at the right time for long enough - all seven seconds to be precise.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Tristan Maple (Ballarat) - 43 disposals, 17 intercept possessions, 11 rebound 50s
Tyson Lever (Sunbury) - 30 disposals, 18 intercept possessions, 12 marks
Zak Rinaldi (Ballarat) - 18 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 11 score involvements, 4 goals
COACHES’ VERDICT
Chris Maple (Ballarat)
"Very proud of how our young group for hanging in there, and then executed plans well in the second half and get up to win. Still a lot to improve on. An important day for our footy club moving forward."
Matt White (Sunbury)
“A rollercoaster day in the end. Pressure was up three quarters, and momentum is a funny thing. Couldn’t do too much wrong in the first half and in that last quarter Ballarat found a way to score with the wind and made it count.
12.15.87
6.5.41
Darley proved too strong for North Ballarat to progress to a semi final showdown with Melton.
The Devils didn't have it all their own way early as trying conditions made it difficult to execute safely on the basic fundamentals.
After the Roosters won the toss and kicked with the aid of a four or five goal breeze the Devils’ defence were able to stave off numerous forward 50 entries to restrict Brendan McCartney's young band to just two goals.
With scores level at the first change there were thoughts among a large crowd in attendance the Devils would kick away with the advantage, but it wasn't to be.
In fact, if not for an Andy Azzopardi in the dying seconds, Dan Jordan's more favoured combination would've trailed at the main break.
After a recess of sorts the Devils raised the bar after half time to outscore the Roosters in the second half 8.8 to 2.2 to run away comfortable winners.
Small Devils’ forward Harley Inglis (three goals) and key target Brady Wright (two goals) were a handful for the Roosters and made significant contributions alongside Joel Cadman, Mitch Hovey, Luther Baker and Leigh Spiteri who made ball handling look easier than it was.
The Roosters were typically brave with their intent but overcoming the Devils on their own deck was always going to be tough.
Ned Nash booted three goals to give the Roosters a pulse while Elliot Lamb, Cam McCullum, Isaac Carey and Josh Sparkman shouldered much of the workload.
The Devils have every reason to savour the win but what lies on the horizon in the form of Melton who remains unbeaten since round seven (12 games) looms a different assignment altogether.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Brett Bewley (Darley) - 33 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 12 clearances
Joel Cadman (Darley) - 24 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, 12 contested possessions
Cam McCallum (North Ballarat) - 64 hitouts, 16 contested possessions, 12 clearances
COACHES’ VERDICT
Dan Jordan (Darley)
"Very pleased with the result. We were able to wear down a persistent North Ballarat in the second half to keep our season alive. Shorter break this week, little time to dwell, rather use this opportunity to prepare and get ourselves right for Melton this Saturday. Wishing Macca all the best in his next footballing venture with Port Melbourne and the remaining teams the best of luck in the finals."
Brendan McCartney (North Ballarat)
"Got beaten by a better team today. They handled the conditions better and took the game away from us in the second half. So proud of our club and players to keep being super competitive to the very end. It's been a tough year with plenty of obstacles, but we kept fighting as a group. Best wishes to teams still playing in the finals series."
With the postponement of football seasons due to Covid-19 one aspect which has clearly been identified is that clubs have lost the ability to generate income, not just match day revenue but the many other forms of revenue generation through sponsors and fundraising ventures which they rely upon to survive and pay the expenses which they face.
As a result of this there was a determination to take steps nationally to ease the burden on clubs where possible. Over recent weeks AFL Victoria has been part of discussions led by the AFL Game Development Department involving all community football bodies from each state on how community football Allowable Player Payment (APP) levels would look during 2020 as a result of the Covid-19.
Input to this discussion was done locally through AFL Goldfields, with feedback from the BFNL.
A determination has been made that the initial step for each league is the decrease of the previously planned Allowable Player Payments (APP) budget by 50%.
This amount is then to be allocated pro rata to the original number of matches which the league was going to play (16 for the BFNL)
The BFNL 2020 APP of $140,000 becomes a $70,000 APP per club and then the BFNL normally plays 16 matches so pro rata this allows for a APP in 2020 of $4,375 per round.
This pro rata amount would then be applied across however many matches are played in the season once it gets underway.
If there are eleven rounds (10 games played per club), this per round amount will equate to a MAXIMUM APP of $43,750.00 in 2020.
