BFNL Football Review - Round 6, 2026

North Ballarat kicked away from a plucky Redan after halftime to win comfortably by 44 points at City Oval.

The ladder leaders were made to work hard for an eight-point lead at the half that could’ve been closer if not for the Lions’ 5.9 score line.

Roosters’ coach Clint Proctor praised the effort and pressure from a young Lions outfit, especially in the second quarter.

A seven-goal-to-two second half helped steady the Roosters and secure the prized premiership points.

Without spearhead Denver Grainger-Barras until finals, the Roosters remain a work in progress finding that new connection forward capable of posting big scores.

Jye Lockett and inform half forward Declyn McGuigan booted a team high three goals for the winners ahead of an even spread of five other contributors.

Gun utility Sam Glover continues his stellar return to the local level to be named best on ground ahead of Henry Shea, Harvey Lewis, speedster Reggie Palmer and debut recruit ruckman Dave Brinker-Ritchie.

For Redan, coach Marc Greig was relatively upbeat around the Lions’ performance ahead of their road trip to Darley on May 30.

The Lions were buoyed with the returns of Geelong VFL listed talent Rory Gunsser and experienced campaigner Liam Hoy.

Lachlan Bond (four goals), Oliver Pittard, Harry Lawson maintained their good form asking questions of a North Ballarat combination now on a five-game winning streak.

The Roosters (5-1) are away in Round 7 for their top of the table blockbuster against the high flying Burra (5-1).

STATS THAT MATTERED

David Brinker-Ritchie (North Ballarat) - 45 hitouts, 22 disposals, 12 clearances

Sam Glover (North Ballarat) - 25 disposals, 10 marks, 9 intercept possessions

Rory Gunsser (Redan) - 29 disposals, 7 intercept possessions, 6 rebound 50s

COACHES’ VERDICT

Marc Greig (Redan)
“I don’t very often praise “good efforts” but I was really happy with our lads today. Against a benchmark team we had some pleasing numbers in the key areas we wanted to work on. Unfortunately, we gave up 7/8 goals from simple basic skill errors in the back half when not under pressure. Well done to Clint and his players.”

Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
“Redan are such a dangerous team - pressure was really high today full credit to them for bringing the intensity. Their energy and contest challenged us in the second quarter - but we were able to adjust and get the game back on our terms when it mattered. It’s great to witness the development of our young lads - every week we keep finding new PB for different individuals which is exciting for the club. We will enjoy a well-earned break”

Star tall Biggie Nyuon booted five second half goals to lead the Swans to a spirited, come from behind win over the Bloods at MacPherson Park.

The Swans failed to flatter early and struggled with their ball use in the breezy conditions, playing into the hands of the Bloods’ renowned rebounding defence.

Troy Scoble’s group, still a handful of shy of their best 22, led comfortably at the main break, four goals to one, before the arrival of the ‘Biggie show’.

Three crucial goals into the breeze for the 200cm target and two in the last was enough to prove the difference in the game.

Biggie’s accuracy on goal from range was also a feature in the tricky conditions.

Ruckman Patrick Graham hardly lost a centre tap-out in the second half, providing midfielders Fraser Perkins, Lewis Rinaldi and Wyatt Squires with some much-needed supply to eat into the deficit.

Werribee VFL listed talent Thomas Simpson was the ‘metres gained’ master by foot for the Swans while Adrian Monitto was at his best for the Bloods with his run and carry from defence.

While Swans trio Alex Keath, Biggie and Graham attract a lot of the key attention, enter Riley Constable - part of the next wave of organic Ballarat talent who was superb at the weekend.

The Swans move to into third place on the BFNL ladder (5-1) percentage shy of North Ballarat and Sebastopol.

Ash Baker’s bevy are travelling well and will look to capitalise with three of their next four games at home.

Round 7’s meeting at Alfredton Oval is with Bacchus Marsh on May 30.

Melton (3-3), like many, will welcome the interleague break before a road trip to Eastern Oval to take on injury hit East Point (1-5).

Despite the loss, some encouraging signs for the Bloods with the form of Jaycob Hickey and Jack Walker who look fit and healthy with their two way running between the arcs.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Adrian Monitto (Melton) - 38 disposals, 14 intercept possessions, 12 rebound 50s

Fraser Perkins (Ballarat) - 33 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 11 tackles

Thomas Simpson (Ballarat) - 33 disposals, 8 makrs, 8 score involvements

COACHES’ VERDICT

Troy Scoble (Melton)
“Really pleased with our first half today. We set the game up as planned, credits to Ballarat. They were able to shift the momentum, and it became a struggle in the end. Biggie was too big. Well done, Ballarat.”

Ash Baker (Ballarat)
“Super proud of the boys today. Melton are a very well organised team who brought plenty of bedsore to the contest today. We were able to stick at it through the first half, in an arm wrestle before the game opened up towards the end of the second half. We were able to move the ball with more conviction in the second half, giving ourselves better looks inside 50 and giving our forwards a chance to get on the end of the ball.”

A dangerous landing for Lakers’ utility Josh Canny brought a premature end to this bottom of the table clash at CE Brown Reserve.

East Point were afforded their first win of the season when the game was officially abandoned in the third quarter as medical staff and paramedics treated Canny on the ground.

Good news for Josh, having been discharged from hospital late on Saturday night clear of any structural damage.

Concussion and “one sore boy” was the unofficial diagnosis, a relief for the Canny family and the broader football community.

The Lakers’ injury problems were not restricted to Canny, as star mid combo Tom Zampatti and Will Fordham were sent for knee scans.

Kangas’ ball magnet Jackson Merrett is also expected for a period on the sidelines having suffered a broken arm in a game marred by injury.

East Point deserved their first win for the season despite its abbreviated form with their mounting control and close to twice as many scoring shots.

Sam McDonald finished with a game high three goals for the winners while Archie Todd was the only multiple goal scorer for the hosts with two.

Kangas’ next gen talent Cooper Glenwright-McGuane was named best ahead of Liam Canny, Liam Howard and McDonald.

Coach Joe Carmody is hopeful a few missing soldiers will be available for their next assignment at home on May 30 against the 3-3 Bloods.

For the Lakers, Canny and Fordham featured prominently before their injuries alongside Cooper James, Lewis Antonac and spiritual leader Joel O’Connell who made a safe return in his first game of the season.

Rohan Brown’s group are on the road in Round 7 for a meeting with Sunbury (2-4).

STATS THAT MATTERED

Joe Dodd (East Point) - 17 disposals, 11 tackles, 6 score involvements

Liam Canny (East Point) - 19 disposals, 7 clearances, 6 intercept possessions

Bailey Ryan (Lake Wendouree) - 28 disposals, 8 rebound 50s, 6 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Rohan Brown (Lake Wendouree)
“Bit of a whirlwind day. We had opportunities but just couldn't finish our work in the 1st half. East Point controlled the game and did it well. Thought our 3rd quarter was pretty good, and we played some good brave footy. Zampatti scans during the week, we hold our breath but doesn't look good, same with Fordham. Latest report on Josh they were worried about collarbone and obviously concussion. I want to thank East Point & Lakers medical staff for all their care & professionalism, as well as Joey and his players. We will be ok; our group & club won't roll over.”

Joe Carmody (East Point)
“Firstly we all hope Josh Canny is okay. A number of injuries for both sides out of the game. We are happy to get the four points but obviously feel for Lakers and the injuries they sustained. We had a good contribution across the ground and can really build from today. We are hopeful of having two or three more players available after the interleague weekend.”

The Cobras impressed with an all-the-way win over last year’s grand finalist Sunbury at Maddingley Park.

The intent from Dennis Armfield’s quiver was validated on the scoreboard early with six unanswered goals in the first term with the aid of a three to four goal breeze.

Credit to the Cobras, benefiting from any weather advantage is not linear - you still have to demonstrate the fundamentals with and without the ball to get full reward.

Sunbury coach Matty White lauded the nature of the Cobras’ performance in the aftermath conceding the catch-up game after quarter time was not ideal despite any wind advantage that followed.

Clearly, the former Richmond and Port Adelaide dasher was impressed with the attitude and commitment of the Cobras.

With three wins already over last year’s finalists, the Cobras will prepare for their next challenge against Ballarat (5-1) on May 30 at Alfredton Oval.

Gun Cobras’ forward Jake Owen was at his best finishing with a game high five goals alongside Joel Freeman who chimed in with three to hold the pressing Lions at bay.

While the forwards often soak up their contributions from week to week in review - a huge tick must go to the Cobras’ defence who held the Lions to just seven goals.

Looking across the ground more broadly, experienced campaigners Luke Goetz, Owen and Shea led from the front while off-season recruits Zach Vesty, Sam Griffiths and second gamer Armi Wakefield were prominent executing their roles.

It was a disappointing afternoon for White, and his pride given the promise and potential of their 22 on paper.

Reigning Tony Lockett Medallist and dangerous forward Jake Sutton made the trip down from Sydney for his first game but could not get any periods of the hit-out on his own terms.

Cody Bramble was one good story to be drawn for the Lions after he was named best for the visitors ahead of Daniel Johnston (three goals), Ben Cameron, Pat Scanlon, Joel Muir and Ben Eales.

White touched on how much his group will enjoy the week off ahead of a Round 7 clash at home against the Lakers who are likely to be without Tom Zampatti and Will Fordham after knee injuries sustained at the weekend.

What we did learn from the weekend is the Cobras, while not littered with stars, are a very even group and will challenge any opposition right down to the 22nd player picked on their day.

The fact the Lions had their best team on paper selected for the clash is testament to the Cobras who were able to reveal what was under the bonnet of a Sunbury outfit struggling for full fitness.

The Lions are not on their own welcoming the break after a high octane six week start to a very even season.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Cody Bramble (Sunbury) - 30 disposals, 7 intercept possessions, 6 inside 50s

Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 43 hitouts, 18 disposals, 6 marks

Ethan McKercher (Bacchus Marsh) - 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 6 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
“A great day for the club, 3 good wins against a highly respected Sunbury outfit. Then able to celebrate and recognise our past players, specifically the 2016 premiers. We come out of the blocks with an aligned purpose, setting the standard. We knew Sunbury would come and can score quick, so proud of the group to never give up more than 2 consecutive goals and finish the game full of run.”

Matty White (Sunbury)
“Too much praise to put into words with what Bacchus brought to us today. 6 goal first quarter set them up and we chased all day. Even contest for the rest of the game but they didn’t allow us to get our game going at all. Week off comes at a good time for the group.”

The Burra has staked an early claim as genuine flag contenders with a morale boosting 22-point win over the Devils at Marty Busch Reserve.

Fans bared witness to one of the best games of the season as both coaches made reference to a ‘finals like’ performance in the aftermath.

The Burra kicked with the aid of a three or four goal breeze in the first term and took advantage of a rarely rattled and ‘unaccountable’ Darley defence piling on six goals to set up a handy 23-point lead.

The two occasions this year the Devils have conceded six goals in a quarter have ended in a loss.

Forget the breeze for a second, the Devils starts have been a concern for coach Dan Jordan since the season opener and was the first to concede “catch up” footy is not ideal in the current climate.

This contest however was more about the Burra than the mortality of the reigning premiers.

Burra’s coach Tony Lockyer would be loving the freedoms and versatility a healthy list can provide after a previous run of bad luck in his time in charge.

Familiar names such as Luke Kiel, the Hutt brothers (Toby, Ben), Lachlan Cassidy, Bailey Medwell and Lockyer himself led the charge and showed enough character to fight back after surrendering the lead.

When Nick Hind put the Devils up by 16 points in the last quarter it became a line in the sand moment for the Lockyer stable.

Sink or swim.

The response was emphatic as the hosts ran out the game all guns blazing with six unanswered goals to earn the points and the mounting belief that comes with it.

As many as ten of the Burra hit the scoreboard with Tony Hutt and Adam Forbes ending the major contributors with three goals apiece.

The Devils were brave after quarter time to work their way back into the game having trailed by four or five goals early to win back the lead at the final change.

Jayven Tanner (four goals), Nick Hind, Brett Bewley, Mikey Edwards, Lachie George and the Cadman brothers (Joel, Duncan) led the resistance but collectively the broader group were found wanting late as momentum swung back in favour of the blue and gold.

The Burra have another blockbuster ahead of them at home against North Ballarat while the Devils will look to shrug the intent and pressure of a young Lions brigade keen to pinch a scalp.

Despite Sebastopol and Darley losing no admirers at the weekend what was realised is the once all conquering Devils are very gettable.

Look for a mounting response after the break from Jordan’s army while it’s fair to concede the Burra are back!

STATS THAT MATTERED

Toby Hutt (Sebastopol) - 29 hitouts, 25 disposals, 10 marks

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol) - 29 disposals, 12 intercept possessions, 8 marks

Brett Bewley (Darley) - 33 dispoals, 19 contested possessions, 8 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
“Cracking contest and great game of Ballarat footy. We have a huge amount of respect for Darley, and our games are always played in great spirit. Wish DJ and the boys all the best going forward. Very pleased to get the result on the rebound from last week. We wanted to bring intensity we knew we were capable of and we did that early. Darley then showed their class and started to take the game away from us. Very happy our boys responded to the challenge in the last quarter and dug deep to get it done. Huge win for our Sebas community. Looking forward to the recharge/reset this week ahead of North after the bye.”

Dan Jordan (Darley)
“Ripper game of footy - resembled finals like intensity. Tony’s boys were super, we always knew they were going to bring the heat. We were disappointing early but managed to correct our ways after quarter time into a winning position. Unfortunately, we finished on the wrong end of the result today, but we regroup and go again aware our best is good enough in a very even competition.”