BFNL Football Review - Round 9, 2026

High flying Sebastopol continued to impress with a comfortable 40-point win over the Cobras at Marty Busch Reserve.

It was the Burra’s fourth win on the trot and eighth for the season at the halfway mark.

Finally, a full bill of health for Tony Lockyer’s outfit and we have been fortunate to get a front row seat along for the ride.

The usual suspects did it again - Lachlan Cassidy (in best 3/6), Luke Kiel (5/9) Lockyer (4/9) and co while the recent form of Felix Henderson (3/9) and forward Ash Munari (two goals) has been encouraging.

By definition, the Cobras were undermanned and will struggle claiming a scalp without Jake Owen, Will Lalor and, in Saturday’s case, Isaac Nixon (flu).

If it’s any consolation for their coach Dennis Armfield, they did win the highly anticipated ruck dual between Luke Goetz and Toby Hutt.

Other mini wins on the road included a second quarter response of five goals to have them with 20 points at halftime and the effort of Michael Ktona (two goals) who was a late call up into the side.

Despite the Wintery conditions both sides provided loyal fans a forward showing on the basic fundamentals - which is not always easy in Ballarat.

While there’s been injury aplenty at Cobra land this season, they must be rapt with the development of Cody Gates who made it a fourth appearance in the bests from his nine games in 2026.

The Burra are away to danger team East Point this week while the Cobras prepare for a very winnable assignment at home against three-win Melton (7th).

STATS THAT MATTERED

Lachlan Cassidy (Sebastopol) - 35 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 14 clearances

Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 94 hit outs, 16 disposals, 10 clearances

Felix Henderson (Sebastopol) - 36 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 14 inside 50s

COACHES’ VERDICT

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
“Quality performance for most of the game from the boys. We wanted to start well and felt we controlled the game early. Bacchus Marsh responded well midway through the second as we knew they would and our boys didn’t adjust to their intensity. Was pleased our boys responded to the challenge in the second half to regain control. Skill level from both sides in the wet showed the quality in the comp. A great first half of the season. We now look forward to the second half of the year now starting with East.”

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
“Can’t allow a quality side a 48-point head start in a wet weather game of footy. Proud that the group fought back and made it a contest and can hold our head up losing the last two and a half quarters by 2 points. We now regroup, get a couple back to take on Melton at home.”

The Roosters continue making an impression with their depth following a 50-point win over Lake Wendouree at CE Brown Reserve.

With double digit absentees pitted on the sidelines it was up to key utility Josh Morris (two goals) and Sam Glover prodigy Dominic Penny to lead the way.

Roosters coach Clint Proctor will welcome any win given the current landscape while his soldiers mend from week to week.

Simon McCartin and Max Faulkner made welcomed returns and will be better for the run.

Samuel Artz and Elliot Lamb were at their honest best while the form of Jye Lockett (four goals) and Taj Bowman remains in the favourable space.

An encouraging opening half from the Lakers, while without a win, their form is trending upwards.

Newcomers Alfred Jarnestrom and Corey Rich featured prominently again to land in the best.

Scoring won’t get any easier for the Lakers as Winter hits - they just need to take their opportunities.

Logan Clark (two goals) was the Lakers only multiple goal scorer that saw them in touch at the half just 10 points shy of the 7-2 Roosters.

The Lakers venture to City Oval on Saturday to face Redan who would still be riding high after their upset win over Melton.

North Ballarat are away to Alfredton Oval this week to take on the Swans who will be looking to bounce back quickly from their narrow loss to Darley.

Another test for North Ballarat’s depth awaits.

Surely the Swans can upset the Roosters, still 10-11 soldiers shy of their best 22.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Alfred Jarnestrom (Lake Wendouree) - 41 disposals, 17 rebound 50s, 14 intercept possessions

Joshua Morris (North Ballarat) - 19 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 8 score involvements

Dominic Penny (North Ballarat) - 23 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 8 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT

Rohan Brown (Lake Wendouree)
“Very difficult conditions for footy, thought we had the 1st half on our terms, very good 2nd quarter. Well done to Proc and his team they made a few changes at the break which worked, Morris changed the game in the 3rd and goals being hard to come by the game was gone. Stuck to task again and battled away which we always do, couple of bad injuries again with a concussion and Fordham looks to be season over. Pick ourselves up and get stuck into the back half of the season.”

Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
“Very difficult conditions - such a territory contested day. Impressed with Lakers’ tactics and system - they tested us with some different looks around the field. I thought we adjusted well after half time and got the game on our terms. Nice to kick a score today considering.”

Sunbury moved into the top six with a solid win over a brave East Point side at Clarke Oval.

The Kangas arrived full of spirit with every intent of bucking the trend of a 0-8 record at the venue for Ballarat sides spanning the best part of 2 years.

Joe Carmody’s boys gave it an almighty shake having led at every change, but a goalless final term would prove their undoing.

Sunbury’s Jack Newitt was named best ahead of midfield pair Harry Power and Josh Guthrie.

Youngster Blake Walker was earning the nod of hierarchy while the one constant for the Lions in Tyson Lever was never far from the action.

Worth noting the Lions were missing few - Jake Egan, Jake Sutton, Daniel Johnston, Fraser Ampulski, Mitch McLean, Brock Landt, Dean Muir, Lewis Tudor, Zach Stevens, Keenan O’Shea, Myles Gollant and Tyson Cook.

Take those 12 players out of your preferred team and you’re vulnerable, especially against a hungry Kangas outfit that could smell a fourth win on the trot.

Goals were always going to come at a premium for the Lions given the reliability of their outs.

Newitt and Nathan Doyle chimed in with three ‘better than handy’ ones apiece while Kangas’ warrior Jacob Brown finished with a game high four majors, nearly dragging the visitors over the line.

Known defender Sam Lucas was sent forward and kicked three to aid the Kangas’ cause who had a number of good players.

Encouraging to see Deng Lual and Cooper Glenwright-McGuane recognised for their effort on the road ahead of Joe Dodd, Joe Fraser, Jessie Cairns and of course, Brown.

Gee Sunbury will be tough to beat again at home this week against the Devils, with up to a dozen likely to miss.

East Point get a “throw at the stumps” opportunity against Sebastopol (8-1).

Look at it as another chance to measure the rebuild.

Should be a compelling Round 10 of BFNL action. Stay tuned.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jack Newitt (Sunbury) - 47 disposals, 13 marks, 8 clearances

Cody Bramble (Sunbury) - 37 disposals, 9 inside 50s, 8 intercept possessions

Jack Jeffrey (East Point) - 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 8 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Matty White (Sunbury)
“Was a tough contest all day. Got a bit of a jump but kept letting east back in. A few magnets had to swing with a couple of injuries, but we were able to battle through and grind a good win against a hot east team.”

Joe Carmody (East Point)
“Sunbury’s ball movement was too polished for us at times. We did a lot right but not for long enough. We are improving but still have plenty to work on.”

Redan gave new season coach Marc Greig his finest moment over his short time, with a spirited one-point upset win over Melton.

The Lions led at every change, giving loyal fans something to smile about in the aftermath.

It’s the ideal prep for a potential second win in a row and a third for the season when they host the Lakers in Round 10.

What we can draw from the last fortnight is Winter has arrived in Ballarat. Cold wind and rain has seen 40 points in an afternoon prove enough for victory in successive weeks.

Melton clearly struggled to adapt despite multiple goal returns from Braedan Kight (three goals) and Ryan Carter (two goals).

Redan had five individual goalkickers but that was enough to get the job done.

Rory Gunsser was named best for the winners ahead of Nick Barker, Jacob Werts, Daniel Bond and returnees Will Madden and Oscar Henderson.

The result could have gone either way but the fallout for the Bloods cannot be denied.

Just three wins from their first nine games sees them a game outside the top six - a foreign place for the perennial finalists of recent times.

The Bloods were close. In fact, they’re never far away and will front the opportunity ahead against Bacchus Marsh at Maddingley Park with every bit of intent.

Kyle Borg, Braedan Kight, Caleb Burquest, Ryan Davis, Harry Handley and Lachie Phillips featured in the best for the Bloods who were missing Jordy Kight, Adrian Monitto, Lachie Watkins, Jack, Lachie and Riley Walker.

A loss this week against the Cobras will put their finals chances in jeopardy - so expect them to prepare accordingly for the first of many season defining games we’re sure to bear witness.

A rejuvenated Lions outfit should make it back-to-back wins with a win over the Lakers regardless of the big chill!

STATS THAT MATTERED

Rory Gunsser (Redan) - 24 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 9 clearances

Jordyn Cotter (Melton) - 24 disposals, 11 intercept possessions, 10 rebound 50s

Brody Pope (Redan) - 30 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 8 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Marc Greig (Redan)
“A wet wintery day where both teams had to make the most of their opportunities and moments throughout the day. In the end it was our boys that hung on but it could have gone either way. I was pleased with our lads to lead all day, then Melton hit the front late, but we stuck to our process, and it gave us the opportunity to kick the goal which gave us back the lead. There’ll be lots of bruised bodies for both sides.”

Troy Scoble (Melton)
“Tough conditions for both teams. 4 quarters of contest by both. For us. Copy and paste of last month. Effort huge, resilience to be admired, had opportunities did not capitalize and beaten by a kick or less. Love the group. It stings!”

The Devils bounced back to the winner’s list with a nail-biting five-point win over Ballarat.

The highly anticipated affair most certainly lived up to the billing giving buoyant fans a front row seat to one of the games of the season.

This matchup had everything.

While as many as seven ex-AFL players were represented it was two former and current VFL listed talents that led the way for their respective teams in a finals like rehearsal.

Devils’ quintessential playmaker Billy Myers (ex-Williamstown) booted seven goals, making light work of a slippery ball both in the air and his pinpoint goalkicking.

Footscray VFL listed accumulator Tristan Maple did his future prospects no harm with a standout display around the ground - his run and distribution was part the catalyst of a Swans comeback in the second half.

Both camps would concede it was a tale of two halves with the Devils exploding out of the blocks with five goals over a scintillating eight minutes to stun Ash Baker’s bevy who arrived on a 6-0 run.

Darley coach Dan Jordan was thrilled with the immediate response after “a chat” during the week.

Relatively dry conditions prevailed for the entire first half as the Devils extended to a 43-point lead at the main break.

Brett Bewley, Nick Hind, Joel Cadman and Adam Azzopardi had the wood over the Swans’ midfield despite the efforts Fraser Perkins who was leading the resistance.

Enter the rain.

The Swans refused to throw in the towel with an inaccurate 5.7 in the third – ex-Western Bulldog Andrew Hooper provided the spark with three goals and challenged the Devils’ defence in slippery conditions.

The reigning premiers looked to have regressed into their shell, as if haunted by their disappointing loss in the wet to North Ballarat seven days earlier.

Surely a 19-point buffer for Darley at the final break would be enough? Well, it was in the end, barely, as the Swans continued to come.

Biggie Nyuon (two goals) was beginning to look dangerous on the back of a spike in supply numbers.

The BFNL’s leading goal scorer had been well held by Matthew Brett for the most part.

Maple, Perkins, Hooper, Luke Gray and Paddy Simpson took it up to the hosts only to fall agonisingly short.

While the Swans lost no admirers, the Devils looked sharp for periods, providing glimpses of their best and were shown the way yet again by led by star duo Brett Bewley and Billy Myers.

Darley extraordinary 16-0 run at home continues.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Tristan Maple (Ballarat) - 41 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 8 score involvements

Brett Bewley (Darley) - 39 disposals, 11 score involvements, 10 tackles

Billy Myers (Darley) - 11 disposals, 7 marks, 7 goals

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dan Jordan (Darley)
“Proud of the response from the boys after some shared realities during the week.
Excellent start to the game against a very good side. We always knew they were going to come, and we were well aware of how important it was to start well. Credit to the Swans they kept coming - we were rapt and relieved to hang on in the end and take plenty of learning from the game. Still a lot for us to work on moving forward.”

Ash Baker (Ballarat)
“Disappointing result for us. We were poor early and given a lesson at contested possession throughout the first half. Darley are a quality outfit and when the game was there to be set up, they proved just that. To our credit, we kept fronting up during the second half and our ability to keep at it got us back in the game late in the contest. Plenty to work on moving forwards.”