BFNL Football Review - Round 14, 2026

North Ballarat overcame a 20-point deficit at quarter time to reel in a gallant Redan outfit at Mars Stadium.

Marc Greig’s Pride sent a scare through the Roosters camp with an impressive five-goal-to-two opening term before the hosts could reset.

Like many well-coached good sides, the Roosters, under Clint Proctor, were able to remain calm, holding faith in a systematic response that took up until the final change to reel in the margin.

Given the Wintery conditions and low scoring nature of the affair, the ‘20-point assignment’ would’ve felt like more for Proctor, and his group eyeing a share of the spoils that come with a top three finish.

Unfortunately for Lions fans, just one goal could be mustered after quarter time, strangled by the league’s number one ranked defence.

Roosters’ big man Dave Brinker-Ritchie played his best game since joining the club, while running trio Taj Bowman, Ethan York (two goals) and Henry Shea were pivotal mounting the response. In-form pair Dominic Penny and Jye Lockett (two goals) were good again.

For the visitors, experienced leader Jacob Werts was named best ahead of a host of youngsters including Zachary Lang, Oliver Pittard, Jake Connolly, Lachie Clark and Brodie Pope.

Redan are coming, their progress is palpable but there’s still a way to go given the realities of a four-win season. Another chance presents this week in the form of Bacchus Marsh at City Oval in an old school flip of the coin match-up.

North Ballarat head to the ‘East’ down the highway for a meeting with Melton who are both capable and vulnerable in the same breath.

The Bloods cling to sixth, a game and percentage clear of the Cobras.

The tension builds ahead of Round 15’s BFNL Match of the Round in the ‘East’ - Melton vs North Ballarat with full commentary LIVE from 2pm Saturday via BFNL.com.au.

STATS THAT MATTERED

William Madden (Redan) - 20 disposals, 15 hitouts, 10 tackles

David Brinker-Ritchie (North Ballarat) -  63 hitouts, 12 disposals, 6 tackles

Dominic Penny (North Ballarat) - 18 disposals, 9 score involvements, 8 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT

Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
“We adjusted well after half time. I felt our decision making was a bit off early and we turned the ball over too much! Redan’s pressure and contest was really strong. We worked our way back took control of the field and finished well.”

Marc Greig (Redan)
“We tried some new things in the first quarter which was pleasing to see work, and it gave us some scoreboard presence. Unfortunately, the ground conditions really deteriorated after quarter time, and it was all about who could make the most of their chances/moments across the ground and we couldn’t deliver and hold our lead. A great contested game from both sides. There’ll be 44 sore boys wake up (Sunday) morning.”

Ballarat withstood a second half surge from Melton in trying conditions at Alfredton Oval to win by 23 points.

When Troy Scoble’s touring party closed within two points late, the trusty bevy responded with the last three goals of the game.

Both camps were vulnerable on spec, given a host of key outs, but the Swans’ remaining big guns stood up providing coach Ash Baker an impressive 11th win of the season, one game shy of ladder leaders Sebastopol.

Fraser Perkins, Alex Keath and Brad Crouch were named best for the winners while Tyson Richard and Jake Drever shared the honours with a game high three goals with Bloods’ pair Braedan Kight and Ryan Davis.

Midfielder Jaycob Hickey was named best for the visitors ahead of usual suspects Braedan Kight, Liam Carter, Jordy Cotter and Lachlan Phillips.

Ballarat head to Eastern Oval in Round 15 to consolidate their top three credentials against East Point, while the Bloods welcome a change of postcode hosting third placed North Ballarat.

Melton fall to sixth on the back of Saturday’s result, a game and healthy percentage ahead of Bacchus Marsh who face Redan at City Oval.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Fraser Perkins (Ballarat) - 40 disposals, 9 inside 50s, 9 score involvements

Patrick Graham (Ballarat) - 65 hitouts, 17 disposals, 9 1%ers

Riley Walker (Melton) - 30 disposals, 14 intercept possessions, 13 rebound 50s 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Ash Baker (Ballarat)
“A well fought out, close battle all day in really trying conditions and we were glad to be on the right side of the result. We had some opportunity to hit the scoreboard in the second quarter, however Melton’s defence held up well and being the determined team that they are, they came back hard at us in the second half. Pleased that we were able to steady late and come away with the win.”

Troy Scoble (Melton)
“Full credit to Ballarat. Extremely tough conditions they were cleaner around contest and executed better in the key moments. They have put together a very impressive squad and their method carried true and deserved the win. So proud of the group as I am sure Ash is of his boys slugging it out from start to finish. On to North (Ballarat) who are in ripping form!”

East Point honoured departed coach Joe Carmody with a comfortable 58-point win over Lake Wendouree at Eastern Oval.

While there was some inevitability about the result, the Kangas were taking nothing for granted enroute to a fourth win of the season and into eighth place on BFNL table, percentage clear of Redan.

The hosts were consistent on the goal front throughout the afternoon posting three majors in each term to win all four quarters.

The struggling Lakers finished with a two goal first half and failed to flatter again in the second, with one solitary goal, matching their lowest return of the season against Melton in Round 2.

Midfield trio Mickitja Rotumah-Onus, Liam Canny and Jesse Cairns flew the flag for the Kangas to be named in the best, while as many eight players hit the scoreboard to enhance the team-oriented contribution of the group.

Prominent Lakers’ pair Corey Rich and Alfred Jarnestrom led the resistance alongside promising utility Tyson Walsh, but it wasn’t enough to deny the hosts an emotional victory.

No doubt the Kangas would’ve celebrated their win in style ahead of a much tougher assignment, albeit at home, against the Ballarat Swans (2nd).

The Lakers return to CE Brown Reserve to face fourth placed Darley in Round 15 seeking a measured response under interim coach Jake Lohmann.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Liam Canny (East Point) - 28 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 13 clearances

Mickitja Rotumah-Onus (East Point) - 32 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 8 clearances

Alfred Jarnestrom (Lake Wendouree) - 26 disposals, 12 intercept possessions, 8 marks

COACHES’ VERDICT

Jacob Brown and interim coaches (East Point)
“Not the best day for footy, it was an up and down contest, but we managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Credit to Jakey Lohmann and the Lakers cohort, they challenged us in all areas in different stages. Shout out to Joey Carmody, he was on all of our minds this week, we’ve been in every game over the last 5 weeks and just haven’t managed to get over the line - we put a big focus after building a lead to stay consistent and connected which we were able to do. Still four rounds to go, we’ll work on getting the most out of it. Also big thanks to Tommy Molan for stepping in on short notice helping bring everything together.”

Jake Lohmann (Lake Wendouree)
“Disappointing, tough conditions and credit to East Point who adapted better than us. Harder at the contest and were able to kick and catch their way through our defence. We will continue to keep getting the best out of our players and improve week by week. We as a club will be looking for a challenge from every individual player next week.”

Six goals from star midfielder Jack Bambury has led Sebastopol to a solid 22-point win over Darley at Darley Park.

The result sees Tony Lockyer’s groundbreaking flock remain a game clear at the top of the BFNL table while ending a run of 17-straight wins at home for Dan Jordan’s group in the process.

With little breeze to speak of, the Burra were off to a flier again putting the Devils on the back foot early with another six-goal opening term.

Tony Lockyer’s men led by 23 points at the first change back in Round 6, while a handy 14-point advantage at the weekend represented a near mirror image.

The margin extended to 29 at the half largely attributed to the Devils’ woeful conversion in front of goal. The hosts added a frustrating 1.6 to the new benchmark’s 4.3.

The contrasting score line at the half 10.3 to 4.10 complemented the Burra’s efficiencies and ease with which they were able to score given Bambury already had four majors to his name out of the middle.

Devils’ coach Dan Jordan has a few things to think about given any vulnerabilities were never extended to the midfield.

With the jury already out on an inexperienced forward and back combination matching it with the top three sides in particular, expect a mounted response from a proud Devils midfield who had their colours lowered at the weekend by a thriving Burra unit.

When the margin extended to 40 at the last change, there was mounting evidence to support one claim from the inner sanctum, describing the game as “nothing like we played them the first time.”

Credit to the Devils with little going right on a tough day at the office, showing some ticker to win the last quarter 5.3 to 2.3.

The afternoon simply belonged to the Burra and their superior midfield on the day.

While Bambury was the standout, fellow mids Toby Hutt (two goals) Ben Hutt and Lachlan Cassidy (three goals) also joined the party to feature prominently.

Jacob Fletcher and Lachie Rockebrand deserved their nod of approval from the Burra camp to feature in the best.

For the Devils, defending trio Matthew Brett, Zane Le Huray and Mitch Gardiner were named best for their tireless effort under the pump for long periods, while the Devils were pleased with the progression of young pair Jet Grech and Kai Watkins who had their moments.

While the Devils look to marshal the missing troops over the coming weeks let’s not ignore the fact the Burra were missing some top end talent of their own. Luke Kiel, Jack Buckley, Joel Edwards and underrated key defender Luke Phillips all missed.

Ahead, the high-flying Burra host Sunbury in Round 15 while the Devils are highway bound to take on the Lakers.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Toby Hutt (Sebastopol) - 43 hitouts, 36 disposals, 24 contested possessions

Lachlan Cassidy (Sebastopol) - 44 disposals, 12 marks, 12 clearances

Nick Hind (Darley) - 26 disposals, 8 score involvements, 8 pressure acts

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dan Jordan (Darley)
“Plenty of learnings to draw from the game. Sebastopol took their opportunities (on goal) and unfortunately, we didn’t and that was validated on the scoreboard. Credit to Tony and his boys, most deserving of the win.”

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
“Pleased to come away with the result on the road. Wish DJ and the boys all the best and look forward to seeing them again later in the year. Game of momentum early, where Darley missed some key chances that could have changed course of game. We were lucky enough to hit the scoreboard and put pressure on.”

Sunbury moved two games and percentage clear inside the top six with an all-important 19-point win over Bacchus Marsh at Clarke Oval.

In relatively fine conditions, compared to those experienced in the ‘West’, Sunbury were able to kick away in the second half booting seven goals to four, after scores were level at the main break.

Lions’ pair Jack Newitt (three goals) and Harry Minton-Connell (two goals) led the tidy up on the efficiency front after a wasteful opening half littered with turnover, fumbles and wayward conversion on goal.

The 3.10 to 4.4 score line at the half validates the observation to some degree.

One could attribute the fundamental struggles to pressure, but light work was made look difficult on numerous occasions.

Intermittent drizzle did enough to have the ball in the slippery range for periods, but it was the hosts who initiated any raising of the bar.

The Cobras were dour for the most part but looked a little more dangerous forward on occasions with Joel Freeman (three goals) and Angus Morgan (two goals) providing an aerial presence while hitting the scoreboard.

Josh Huxtable was the standout for the visitors, while their solid contributions came from Sam Griffiths, Luke Goetz, Jamie Fulton, Zach Vesty and Hamish Coulton.

For the winners, some breathing space inside the six was aided by the inclusion of Minton-Connell, and Newitt’s day out in particular but a host of support roles followed in the name of Cody Bramble, Josh Guthrie and defenders Tyson Lever, Nathan Wood and Jordan Tentonello.

Moving forward, the Cobras’ season hangs in the balance next week when they head up the highway to meet improving Redan (9th).

A win you would think is crucial for Armfield’s quiver with the potential return of key forward Jake Owen on the cards.

The stakes aren’t so high for the Lions under Matty White, but the former Richmond and Port Adelaide forward is not here to make up the numbers.

The Pride are also up the highway facing a huge task against ladders Sebastopol.

If it’s any consolation, Sunbury won their earlier meet against the Burra in Round 5, albeit at Clarke Oval, by 26 points.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jack Newitt (Sunbury) - 26 disposals, 12 marks, 11 score involvements

Josh Huxtable (Bacchus Marsh) - 30 disposals, 10 marks, 7 intercept possessions

Tyson Lever (Sunbury) - 30 disposals, 10 marks, 8 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Matty White (Sunbury)
“Was a good solid win in the end. Inaccurate early which kept Bacchus in the game, and they were able to score of our mistakes to their credit. Took three quarters to get the game on our terms but a strong performance in the end against an opposition that always challenges us. A few sore boys coming out of the game so recover and get ready for a big trip up the highway next week.”

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
“A great game of football, where unfortunately we fell away late. 15 players under the age of 22 is very exciting looking ahead. However, Sunbury leadership and execution for longer slowly wore us down and was the difference in the end. Exciting to have another two home grown debutants, Metcher and Martin, taking us to 46 players for the season.
We welcome some players back for our last exciting 4 weeks.”