BFNL Review - Round 15, 2025

Bacchus Marsh kicked the last three goals of the game to upset the Bloods in a grandstand finish at Maddingley Park.

The win breaks a seven-year drought against the reigning premiers, consolidating the Cobras’ fifth place standing in the process.

Young Cobra Ashton Craig was the hero with three telling goals, his composure beyond his years.

A second quarter smother, denying a Bloods’ exit from defence, ricocheted goal side as Craig swooped on his 1% reward before running into an open goal to maintain the resistance.

The Bloods were pressing after quarter time having trailed by 18 points, with seven of the next nine goals going Melton’s way to build a 16-point lead at the 14-minute mark of the final term.

Enter Craig again.

Following a nasty knee dislocation to Cobras’ forward/wing Cody Salmon a, break in play of some five or six minutes ensued giving the hosts an ideal 'time out' to regroup and salvage enough belief to reel in a 16-point deficit.

Craig's finish shortly after the restart was sublime threading the needle inside time on from the boundary.

Luke Goetz owned his forward stoppage moment to grab the ball from the ruck contest and snap truly.

With time ticking away and the Bloods hanging in by a thread, a loose, albeit clever handball from Ethan McKercher (two goals) rolled goalward as Craig steadied with little space to gather between, he and the goal line to send the Cobras’ loyal and faithful into raptures.

On the flipside, you could have heard a pin drop among shocked Bloods’ fans suffering a fourth loss in five weeks.

Melton's five season losses have come by an average of 7.6 points and as a result are demoted to fourth on the BFNL table.

All kudos for the "Owen-less" Cobras who led at every change and did enough to respond in the clinches when challenged.

It was the first time the Bloods had trailed at every quarter break in a game since June 26, 2021.

Goetz, Craig, Jake McCreery, Cody Gates, Simon Lafranchi, Jack Parente were important all day for the winners, while Interleague trio Jack Kovacevic, Josh Huxtable and Isaac Nixon had some critical moments that led to scores.

For the Bloods, Liam Carter was stoic in the absence of his brother Ryan carrying the load while Jordy Cotter made a safe and prominent return from injury. Jack Walker, Blake Souter and Braedan Kight were best of the rest.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 60 hit outs, 23 disposals, 18 contested possessions

Josh Huxtable (Bacchus Marsh) - 24 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 11 marks

Liam Carter (Melton) - 20 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 10 marks

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
"Really proud of the heart we displayed against a very well organised Melton. We missed opportunities early and Melton were able to wrestle back momentum. The fight back and leadership to execute roles after an injury break was sensational. Our young list is building belief and to score three goals late to win was character defining. We now reset for another big game."

Troy Scoble (Melton)
"Well done to the Cobras. Thought their first quarter they did not get reward for dominance, and we just hung in there. We were really strong in all phases of the game for the remaining three quarters in what became a wrestle. Our feelings are two-fold tonight - so proud of the group to hang in with no rotations for the last half. Our want to compete kept us going, sending a player back on the ground just to help out did not feel great but we hung on till the last minute. On the flipside. another game lost by less than a goal from a winning position and that remains frustrating as you contemplate what could have been. But for now, we live in reality, and I would like to give full credit to Bacchus Marsh and their young list for fighting and fighting and getting the reward they deserved."  

The outcome took second stage to the heartwarming senior debut for Lake Wendouree’s Isaac Torpy, who faces major surgery in the coming period.

The BFNL wishes Isaac and his family all the very best ahead of, and post-surgery emanating with a successful recovery.

The Roosters were across the nature of the occasion earning the utmost respect of Lakers’ coach Rohan Brown in the aftermath.

The game itself was evidently one sided as Clint Proctor's visiting party went to work in the opening term to establish a 30-point lead at the first break.

The nature of the lead continued in an upward trajectory until the final siren as the Roosters piled on their highest score for the season and just their second north of 93 points since its Round 1 draw against the Swans.

VFL listed talent Jaylon Thorpe, Ned Nash and Jackson McInerney all enjoyed a day out in front of the sticks to share the spoils with a game high five goals each.

If there's any consolation for the struggling Lakers, their score of 49 was their second highest in ten weeks.  

Roosters’ quartet Isaac Carey, Sam Artz, Reggie Palmer and Harvey Lewis were named best alongside the goalkicking trio in a timely boost ahead of a season defining three games against Redan (H), Sebastopol (H) and Darley (A).

Coach Brown will continue to lead his Lakers with the glass half-full approach, appreciative of the ‘what haves’ rather than the ‘have nots’ for the here and now.

Morale among the group remains in the enviable space as they continue to front up not shy on effort.

The Lakers’ final three games come against Sunbury (A), Redan (A) and East Point (H).

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jaydo Wright (Lake Wendouree) - 51 hit outs, 32 disposals, 10 clearances

Isaac Carey (North Ballarat) - 36 disposals, 13 score involvements, 11 clearances

Declyn McGuigan (North Ballarat) - 26 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 11 score involvements

COACHES’ VERDICT

Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
"Today provided perspective of what community sport is all about. Congratulations to the Lakers and Rohan on the way they conducted themselves in such difficult circumstances. On behalf of the North Ballarat Football Netball Club, I want to wish Isaac all the love and respect for the way he carried himself today. Good luck with your journey young man."

Rohan Brown (Lake Wendouree)
"The result wasn't our focus of concern. A very proud day at our club with Isaac Torpy playing his 150th and first senior game with his mates before he heads to Melbourne next week for major surgery. Immense gratitude and thank you to North Ballarat for the respect they showed for Isaac, his family and our club. We take a deep breath, follow, help and support Isaac along his journey.

Footy wise North were sharp. At times it was too much for our boys, especially when giving them time to run through with speed. Some good passages/momentum swings for us but we just conceded too many multiple goals in 5-10 that put the game to bed. Clint has them well drilled and once they get a full squad, they can do some damage."

Joe Carmody's Kangas extended their winning streak to six matches with a humble 43-point victory over the Swans.

After a shaky first term, the Kangas raised the bar registering 15 goals to six to keep their unbeaten run at home in check, climbing to 15 games.

Expect the record to be challenged in Round 17, when they host Darley on a 14-game winning streak of their own. More on that closer to D-day.

Again, the hosts were forced to get it done without barometer pair Matty Johnston and Bryson McDougall who missed for another week.

Swingman Jacob Brown picked up the slack forward in the absence of McDougall to finish the game with six goals to land in the best players behind midfield trio Jordy Johnston, Mickitja Rotumah-Onus and Jessie Cairns.  

Third gamer, 190cm Jarrod Joyce (four goals) made a statement of what's to come in September and is likely to grab the attention of fellow finalists. 

Joyce booted 12 goals (and considerably more behinds) in his four-game apprenticeship with the Kangas’ reserves, as the former tennis pro turns his hand to footy. Bonus acquisition.

Needless to add Jordy Johnston did his Henderson Medal chances no harm with another best on ground performance according to the Kangas’ hierarchy.

For Ash Baker's Swans, the reality of where they're at received further confirmation. The young group have shown positive signs for the most part of the season and rate about five or six goals shy of the top end.

Growth and maybe the addition of one or two targeted options in the coming off season may be all that is needed to push their case for a spike on the 'W' front.

Promising utility Harry Butler booted three goals for the Swans to be named best ahead of the consistent Maple brothers Tristan and Zack. Wyatt Squires and Lewis Rinaldi maintained their consistent form to feature alongside Tom Mooney.

The Kangas face a tough fortnight ahead against Melton (A) and Darley (H) before a freshen up meeting with the Lakers (A).

The Swans’ slim finals chances will come down to their returns against Bacchus Marsh (H), Melton (A) and Redan (H).

STATS THAT MATTERED

Mickitja Rotumah-Onus (East Point) - 35 disposals, 25 contested possessions, 8 score involvements

Joel Van Meel (East Point) - 64 hit outs, 21 disposals, 14 contested possessions

Wyatt Squires (Ballarat) 31 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 10 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT

Joe Carmody (East Point)
"Tough game against a well-coached side that move the ball well. Happy we were able to defend better after quarter time and create scores off turnover."

Ash Baker (Ballarat)
"Well done to Joe and his East Point troops - he has them playing a good brand of footy. We were able to take it up to them during the first half, however they got hold of us late in the second quarter and into the third. Credit to East Point, they were very good in the contest today. We'll learn from it and move forwards."

Mercurial forward Will Johnson booted 11 goals on his return from a well-managed 'rest' to star for the Devils in their 46-point win over the Lions at City Oval.

While it's not ideal from a team perspective to have such a weight of goals from one individual, sometimes you just need to sit back and enjoy the show.

Johnson elevated his position for the Tony Lockett Medal race to equal third with Melton's Braedan Kight on 48 goals, seven shy of injured leader Jake Owen (Bacchus Marsh).

The 11-goal haul usurps Johnson beyond his previous best of 40 in the Devils’ 2023 Premiership year, matching Owen's season high return against the Lakers (Round 11) in the process.  

It was the Devils’ 14th win in a row, unbeaten since the season opener.

While Johnson took care of the finishing, midfielders Brett Bewley and the Azzopardi brothers, Adam and Andy, ensured the supply was enough to create the opportunity.

Returning small forward Leigh Spiteri and first season lockdown forward Jarrod White earnt the plaudits of the Devils’ hierarchy who were made to earn the win.

There are a number of superlatives you could use to describe Redan's week in the lead up against the Devils with the jury out on how the young Lions would respond.

Often with a changing of the guard comes a response, immeasurable until games end.

Lions’ fans can be proud of how their young group negotiated their way through arguably the toughest match-up alongside East Point in the BFNL at the moment.

Lions’ tall Taj Bond finished with six goals and best player honours ahead of fellow interleague duo Brodie Pope and Rory Gunsser.

Ruckman Rudie Forde, key utility Lachie Bond and experienced campaigner Lachie George rounded out the pointy end of Lions’ contributors who showed some kickback with a narrow third quarter win.

Steve Kane has taken over the reins at Redan with three winnable games ahead in the west, namely North Ballarat, Lake Wendouree and Ballarat. 

Dan Jordan's Devils have Sebastopol (H), East Point (A) and North Ballarat (J).   

STATS THAT MATTERED

Brett Bewley (Darley) - 42 disposals, 13 score involvements, 12 clearances

Will Johnson (Darley) - 22 disposals, 18 marks, 17 score involvements

Rory Gunsser (Redan) - 34 disposals, 11 marks, 7 score involvements

COACHES’ VERDICT

Steve Kane (Redan)
"Proud of the way our boys battled out the game after a taxing week. I thought we were able to show some really exciting ball movement when we were able to execute our skills. Unfortunately, we ran into a very strong Darley team that gave us lesson in preparation, fitness and skill. Although we have a young side stacked full of talent we saw today what it takes to compete with the very best sides and we'll go to work on that in the next few weeks to try and narrow the gap."

Dan Jordan (Darley)
"Very pleased with the win. We showed evidence of progress in a few areas while Redan were able to highlight a few we need to work on. Redan were a tough opposition and look to have a bright future with their talented youth. Credit to the Lions pushing us on the back of what I anticipate to have a been a difficult week for the club."

Sunbury overcame a 17-point deficit at three quarter time, downing finals contender Sebastopol in an entertaining affair at Marty Busch Reserve.

The win promotes the Lions into an all-important third position on the BFNL ladder while the Burra find themselves outside in seventh, having spent just one week inside the top six.

The Lions welcomed back key forward Daniel Johnson (three goals) from a three-week hiatus with Coburg VFL to be reunited with Jake Sutton (four goals) providing a dangerous, two-pronged attack. Both made significant contributions combining for more than half the Lions’ score.

While the quarter-by-quarter scores suggest the presence of a breeze, the see-sawing nature of the affair was purely coincidence.

Periods of momentum came simply on the back of pressure and clearance numbers according to Sunbury coach Matty White.

It was a must win game for both clubs as the Burra aimed to consolidate their vulnerable sixth position on the table by claiming a second 'top four' scalp for the year while the Lions looked to reclaim some form and keep their top three chances alive.

Both sides looked well on their way for periods achieving the mission but come 4pm. Thanks to the early start, honours were with Sunbury who end the battle with their noses in front.

The Burra led at quarter time, were level at the half and again in front at the final change but to Sunbury's credit, their cream rose to the top.

Spearheads Johnson and Sutton were instrumental leading the Lions to their second highest score in 9 games while Jake Egan (four goals) provided a third option on the goal front.

Harry Power and Jack Newitt joined the attacking trio in the best as Murphy Boyd enjoyed another week amid his senior footy renaissance.

Crucial Burra 'six pack' Jack Bambury, Hugo Papst (four goals), Cooper Littlehales (three goals), Toby Hutt, Adam Forbes and Lachlan Cassidy were tireless fighting the battle for home fans, but it was the touring party who left with the chocolates.       

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jack Bambury (Sebastopol) - 32 disposals, 24 contested possessions, 10 clearances

Jake Egan (Sunbury) - 27 disposals, 17 contested possessions

Tyson Lever (Sunbury) - 24 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, 9 rebound 50s

COACHES’ VERDICT

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
"A cracking game of footy played in great spirit. Shattered not to get the winning outcome, but some great positives and learning which will help us grow further over the coming weeks. We played some excellent footy to have Sunbury on the ropes, however full credit to Matty and his boys, they responded beautifully to the challenger in the last quarter and came over the top of us. Wish them all the best for the run home. We review/learn as we look forward to the Darley challenge this week."

Matt White (Sunbury)
"What a cracking game of footy - would have been the best game of the year to watch. Offensively brilliant and was some great moments of defence. In the third quarter Sebastopol stepped up the pressure and had us chasing our tails but we were able to settle at three quarter time. If Sebastopol get into the final six, they'll be a team to keep a close eye on. Really happy with the result and getting some guys back into form."