BFNL Review - Round 13, 2025

Ladder leaders Darley made it 12 wins in a row and remain a game clear of East Point after another 'grinding' win at the weekend against the old rival, Bacchus Marsh.

The Devils were pushed for the four quarters to earn the points as the Cobras booted three unanswered goals in the third term to lead by as much as 13 points.

Unfortunately for Cobra fans, the injury to leading forward Jake Owen (finger) didn’t help their cause, as the Devils booted seven of the last nine goals of the game to duly salute.

With goals at a premium, it was Devils’ youngster Jayven Tanner who proved the difference in the end with his bag of five, four of which came in the second term - coincidentally their only four goals with the tricky breeze for the period.

For the Cobras, only Josh Huxtable (two goals) returned multiples ahead of nine other teammates, including Owen, who was held to just one for the first time this year by Devils’ defender Billy Myers.

The nature of the Owen injury required surgery on Sunday, sidelining the competition’s number one goalkicker for at least the next three weeks.

Let's hope for Cobra fans their finals chances have not been compromised as a result, given Owen's current standing in the game as the number one ranked player for goal involvements.

Despite Cobras’ ruckman Luke Goetz’s ridiculous number of hit-outs, his opponent Mickey Edwards was crucial around the ground to earn the nod of approval from the Devils’ hierarchy as their best player ahead of Tanner.

The fact that there was no room for Nick Hind in the best could only mean he was the forgotten man amid the celebration post-game.

The former Essendon and St Kilda AFL product was industrious with and without the ball while Cobra midfielder Jamie Fulton impressed in his first derby in front of the large crowd.   

There was a host of progressive young talent on display from both sides which was one of the highlights in an otherwise hard-fought watch, played predominately on the inside with a number of stoppages especially in the first half before play opened up marginally in the second.

Devils’ coach Dan Jordan fittingly described the nature of the win as a 'grind' in his post-match and acknowledged the efforts of his younger brigade, echoing the sentiments of Cobras’ coach Dennis Armfield who was equally as proud of his own band of next gen contributors.   

STATS THAT MATTERED

Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 112 hit outs, 15 disposals, 13 contested possessions

Nick Hind (Darley) - 34 disposals, 12 clearances, 10 tackles

Brett Bewley (Darley) 30 diposals, 17 contested possessions, 8 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dan Jordan (Darley)
"Grinding win against a team who definitely came to play. Their intensity around the contest and dominance aerially in the ruck made us earn any advantage. We had 7-8 players still eligible for the Under 18.5 competition play today and all executed their role which was really important for us securing the points."

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
"Unfortunately another close loss to a top-quality side. We came out and executed very well but didn't make the most of our chances (early) with nine scoring shots to three but only led by a point. (We) lost a few soldiers in the second half which forced us to adjust mid-game, and I couldn't have been prouder of the fight our young group, to maintain the arm wrestle to the final siren. Now we move onto another great unit in East Point."

Finals aspirant Ballarat put an end to a four-game losing streak with a morale boosting 80-point win over bottom side Lake Wendouree.

The Swans set up the win with a six-goal-to-one opening term to put this game to bed early.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, the recent pattern of first quarters isn't helping their outside chances of registering an upset.

Their six-goal-to-one concede on Saturday was not dissimilar to their previous eight goal 'cough up' against Sebastopol a week earlier.

Swans’ forward Harry Butler booted six goals while Tristan Maple played arguably the best individual game of any for the season according to Lakers’ coach Rohan Brown.

In form Swans’ mids Fraser Perkins and Lewis Rinaldi maintained their consistent run of accumulation while ageless veteran Andrew Hooper continues to bob up adding another three goals taking his season tally to 22 (comp rank 10th).

The Swans camp would be rapt Hooper has been able to play every game this year given his struggles with injury in previous campaigns.

Lakers’ utility Jaydo Wright (three goals) can hold his head high after being named in the bests for a seventh time this season during in his second year at the club ahead of Kynan Raven, Ethan Preston and Otto Conlan.

The challenge doesn't get any easier for both sides next week as the Swans head to Sunbury, with the Lions aiming to bounce back after a disappointing loss to North Ballarat, while the Lakers after off to Darley for a meeting with the league heavyweights.

Enough said.       

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jaydo Wright (Lake Wendouree) - 42 hit outs, 28 disposals, 8 score involvements

Fraser Perkins (Ballarat) - 29 disposals, 13 score involvements, 13 tackles

Tristan Maple (Ballarat) - 30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 7 score involvements

COACHES’ VERDICT

Ash Baker (Ballarat)
"Extremely pleased with our effort and application today. (I) thought the boys stuck to our plans against a gritty Lake Wendouree outfit. In trying conditions, a 10-12 minute patch late in the first quarter with the wind was able to set us up for the remainder of the game."

Rohan Brown (Lake Wendouree)
"Beaten in most aspects of the game. We had a few nice moments but not enough. We are giving effort and showing up each week which will continue to do. (I) thought (Tristan) Maple played probably the best individual game against us this year."

East Point maintained its recent stranglehold over Redan with a 22-point win at City Oval to remain within a game of ladder leaders Darley.

Joe Carmody's group had to get the job done without its leader and reigning Henderson Medallist Matty Johnston (ankle/sore) against a side full of confidence following their upset win over Melton.

Their return of 59 points for the game was just the second time this season a score under 60 has saluted in the 65 home and away games to date.

Ironically, across town on the same day at Mars Stadium North Ballarat's winning score of 44 was the other to buck the trend.

In a game of small margins, the Kangas could claim their inaccurate 2.8, to two behinds third term was enough to provide the separation and set up the win extending a 12-point half time lead to 28 at the final change.

Kangas’ pair Liam Canny and Jordy Johston were named for the winers ahead of triple 'J' combo Jacob Brown, Joel Van Meel and Joe Dodd all of whom were prominent the previous week in their win over Sunbury.

Brown was the Kangas’ only multiple goal scorer on the day, finishing with three while tall man Taj Bond booted two for the Lions.

Despite natural disappointment for the Lions, one could not deny the efforts of Rory Gunsser, Zach Mortlock, Zachary Lang, Bond, Brody Pope and Lachie George who were the pick of the Lions’ challenge.

Massive games await these two teams next week as the Kangas prepare to host a Bacchus Marsh outfit aiming to cling to a top six spot without Jake Owen (finger), as Redan face Sebastopol in what looms an unofficial elimination final for Lions’ coach Gary Learmonth.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jordan Johnston (East Point) - 26 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 8 clearances

Brody Pope (Redan) - 26 disposals, 9 marks, 9 clearances

Liam Canny (East Point) - 20 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 8 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT

Gary Learmonth (Redan)
"Disappointed with the result - East controlled stoppage and defended our ball movement for much of the game. We weren't able to put scoreboard pressure on when the ball lived in our forward line during the second. Skill execution cost us again - we need to play with the same freedom in the early part of the game as we did in the last to remain in the game. Lots to work on ahead our next challenge against an in-form Sebastopol."  

Joe Carmody (East Point)|
"Gritty performance today. Tough conditions against an up-and-coming team so good to get away with the win."

North Ballarat remains the 'box of chocolates' team in the league after a stirring 15-point win over Sunbury to keep their finals chances in check with five rounds to play.

It was just the third win for teams outside the top four against teams inside, validating the upset nature of the win.

Visiting Sunbury were denied their free-flowing overlap run and carry and had to settle for a frustrating stoppage game that suited the hosts under the direction of coach Clint Proctor.

The nature of play was confirmed by frustrated Sunbury coach Matty White whose Lions were kept to their lowest score of the season.

Could Proctor have found the blueprint to defeat Sunbury with a team arguably shy on talent head-to-head? Other teams outside the top four should take note.

Lesser knowns Ollie Huf, Max Faulkner and Finn Russell were named best for the winners in a low scoring affair ahead of experienced head Simon McCartin, and Sam Artz who made it six appearances among 'the celebrated' from 13 games.

That would be most pleasing for Proctor and his group who have struggled for any continuity all season long.

In a game yielding just ten goals, highlights were slim pickings, reserved only for the purest which would've suited Proctor just fine.

The Roosters had been knocking on the door for a top four scalp season, and finally they get their reward and most importantly cling to a spot inside the top six.

Only Jackson McInerny (North Ballarat) and Jake Sutton (Sunbury) could register multiple goals for their respective teams, the Lons were held to just two goals after quarter time.

Riley Miller, Murphy Boyd and Blek Walker were named best for the visitors who were without key forward Daniel Johnson (Coburg VFL) for a second straight game that has evidently ended in loss.

The BFNL season is becoming less predictable by the week which can only be good for the competition.

May the pattern continue.        

STATS THAT MATTERED

Tyson Lever (Sunbury) - 37 disposals, 17 intercept possessions, 11 marks

Simon McCartin (North Ballarat) - 31 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 9 clearances

Josh Morris (North Ballarat) - 23 disposals, 9 rebound 50s, 8 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
"It was a really tough game in difficult conditions - we looked organised and had the game where we wanted it in terms of our stoppage work and defensive system. Consistency is always a challenge when you are providing opportunities to new players at the level. So that's the focus now moving forward. Another great test against the reigning premiers next week."

Matt White (Sunbury)
"Disappointing day. (We) couldn't get our game going due to North's ability to lock us down at stoppage and stopped any ball movement. (I) would love to see the stoppage numbers, as they played that stoppage game to their advantage. Low scoring affair played into North's hands. Well coached and well played by a young team. Full credit to North, they stopped anything we wanted to do."

The Burra are officially coming and are mounting a challenge for the final six after ending a run of outs against reigning premiers Melton spanning more than five years with a 20-point win on the road.

Tony Lockyer's men have been fighting to get its core on the park since he took over at the start of the 2024 season and on Saturday achieved their proudest result of his 28 games in charge.

While held scoreless into the breeze in the opening quarter, it was that very period Lockyer acknowledged as the catalyst in the come from behind win.

The inaccuracy of the Bloods again cost them at key moments maxing out any separation and kept the visitors in it holding a slender eight-point advantage at the final change.

Talk about taking opportunities, the Burra swooped in the last quarter with four unanswered goals to win by 20, a margin that could've been greater given the nature of the 4.7 to 0.2 returns for the term.

Ironically both sides finished the game with 22 scoring shots, but it was the more accurate Burra who saluted adding more credence to the theory that conversion remains one of the most undervalued commodities in the game.

It was the Burras’ third win from their last four games and find themselves just two points outside of the top six.

On the flipside it was Troy Scoble's third loss in a row and second against teams outside the top four.

Continuity at the selection table remains an issue for the Bloods who are a shadow of resembling their best 22 for the here and now, not dissimilar to the struggles Lockyer at the Burra has had to endure over his tenure.

More positively, it was Lockyer himself and Lachie Cassidy who led the way for the winners ahead of quartet Riley O'Keefe, Gedd Hommelhoff, Jacob Wilkinson and Hamish Everitt who played his first game at the level for the season.

For the Bloods it was no surprise to hear Braedan Kight was the leading scorer on the ground with four goals, his sixth return of four or more this season taking his tally to 46, nine shy of Cobras’ leading forward Jake Owen, who looks set for a stint on the sidelines with a compound fracture of the finger that has required surgery.

Two must win opportunities loom on Saturday for these two sides as the Burra host Redan while the Bloods are off to Mars Stadium in a Match of the Round showdown with North Ballarat.

COACHES’ VERDICT

Troy Scoble (Melton)
"Well done to Tony and his team. Terrific win, good contest. We thought defensively and contest wise we were strong but offensively when we had momentum we failed to convert our opportunities. We were always vulnerable in the last quarter and to Sebastopol’s credit they got their offence going and ran through us. Tony has done a marvellous job this year, he has weathered the storm got his team together - really happy for him and the group. We learnt a lot from them in how they stayed united and now we face a similar challenge in front of us. We will keep our head down, take our medicine and see if we can claw some form back. We won’t give up on the year until it's done. Well done, Sebastopol."

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
"Great to get the win on the road against quality opposition. (I) felt our first quarter into the strong wind really set up the contest. The wind died as the game went on so was good to get some free flowing footy as the game opened up. Some further belief for our group that our best is good enough. Huge amount of respect for Troy and the Melton boys. Challenging little patch for them right now but no doubts they'll rebound back up the top on the run home."