BFNL Football Review - Round 17, 2026

The ruthless Roosters made it seven wins in a row at home dominating Lake Wendouree to the tune of 151 points.

Despite some early resistance from the visitors, Clint Proctor’s relatively young group raised the bar after quarter time piling on 20 goals to one and move to the top of the BFNL table on percentage ahead of Sebastopol.

Star forward Jye Lockett finished with a game high eight goals ahead of nine other team mates to hit the scoreboard on the goal front.

Some 45 scoring shots to four tells the story of the tape as the Lakers welcomed the return of Jake Lohmann who played managed minutes in one genuine positive for the embattled group on an otherwise long afternoon.

Roosters’ ruckman Dave Brinker Ritchie earned the nod of best on ground honours ahead of Lockett while Brayden Purchase, Reggie Palmer and Dominic Penny continued their recent run of good form.

It was always going to be hard work for Lohmann and his group, but you couldn’t deny the efforts of ball magnet Will Clark, Tyson Walsh, Josh Canny, Corey Rich, Patty Corbett and Ash Cutts who fought out the contest to the very end.

North Ballarat head to Darley next week to consolidate top spot while the winless Lakers get one more crack at breaking a run of 35 outs when they host Bacchus Marsh.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jye Lockett (North Ballarat) - 27 disposlas, 14 marks, 8 goals

David Brinker-Ritchie (North Ballarat) - 45 hitouts, 31 disposals, 27 contested possessions

Alfred Jarnestrom (Lake Wendouree) - 43 disposals, 12 marks, 10 rebound 50s 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Clint Proctor (North Ballarat)
“Lakers came out hard and hit the scoreboard early - the game was a really tight contest, and it was difficult to find brand. We made some adjustments which seem to work in our favour once the match went on. Looking forward to Darley now.”

Jake Lohmann (Lake Wendouree)
“Tough day, didn’t give up until the end of the game. Credit to North’s team defence, the best I’ve seen all year from anyone. Squeezed us in back half and controlled the game. Having 10-12 seniors players out and key players in Joel O’Connell, Angus Gove, Tom Zampatti, Will Fordham, Bailey Ryan, Kynan Raven, Cooper James, Noah Shearer just to name a few out of the side but gives us 7 kids under the age of 19 playing today. We are getting some good exposure and learning from each game. We will only improve and continue to get better. Must believe and stay connected leading into Bacchus @home.”

Ballarat secured a prized top three position following a dour 17-point win over a wasteful Darley at Alfredton Oval.

Ash Baker’s bevy simply made more of their opportunities despite a landslide differential (minus 26) of inside 50s.

Alex Keath was the general in defence marshalling the troops while midfielder Paddy Simpson stood up in his mid/forward role finishing with a game high three goals.

The Swans’ four-goal-to-one first quarter laid the foundations of a lead the Devils simply couldn’t reel in despite Brett Bewley’s monster 49 disposals and two goal game.

Trailing by 22 points at the main break the Devils peppered the goals throughout the third but were their own worst enemy adding just 1.6 and two out of bounds on the full - a hard watch for all Devils’ fans that made the trek.

Alfredton Oval was deceptively heavier and slippery underfoot, conditions the Devils struggled to master despite a majority of the ball.

Swans trio Luke Dunstan, Lewis Rinaldi and Jack O’Brien were solid in their respective roles landing in the best. Key forward Biggie Nyuon made his much-awaited return and booted two handy goals in a relatively low scoring affair.

The Swans looked the winners a fair way out, won three quarters in isolation despite missing up to six of their best 12 and the Devils enjoying long periods with ball in their front half.

Bewley aside, the Devils had solid contributions from Lachie George, Zane Le Huray, Mickey Edwards and Jayven Tanner.

The Swans head to Sunbury in Round 18 with a top three spot already in their pockets to face Sunbury who cannot miss the finals action either with a fifth or sixth place beckoning.

Darley on the other hand host North Ballarat, both of whom have qualified for finals.

Curious to see what plays out here at selection and the intensity of these games in particular, ahead of a massive finals series.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Brett Bewley (Darley) - 49 disposals, 10 inside 50s, 9 score involvements

Paddy Simpson (Ballarat) - 25 disposals,  9 inside 50s, 8 clearances

Alex Keath (Ballarat) - 32 disposals, 12 marks, 9 rebound 50s

COACHES’ VERDICT

Ash Baker (Ballarat)
“Really pleased with the outcome today against a quality side. Our first half was really solid. We were able to get the game on our terms for the majority of it. We knew Darley would come out firing in the second half, which they did, and we were fortunate that they weren’t able to capitalise on their opportunities in the third quarter. Plenty for us to continue to work on and looking forward to another strong opponent next week.”

Dan Jordan (Darley)
“While disappointed with the result we saw progress in a few key areas of focus. We controlled the game for periods but could not finish off our good work on goal. We simply do not take our opportunities - credit to Ballarat, they took theirs and was arguably the difference in the game. Plenty to like moving forward with another game into a few of our blokes on the way back and further development into our young boys.”

Melton have booked their place in this year’s BFNL finals series with a convincing 55-point over Redan at MacPherson Park.

Troy Scoble’s rediscovery of the winning form we’ve been used to over previous years has made a timely return after his boys won every quarter at the weekend to put the competition on notice they’re not here making up the numbers.

Braedan Kight finished with best on ground honours on the back of a game high five goals, as eight members of the ‘Bloodahood’ posted majors.

The Bloods maintained their number one standing in the competition for first quarters and will ask questions of future opposition to start well or face the prospect of chasing down a lead.

While Ryan Carter was unavailable for the clash, Billy Crofts suited up again and will feature for the remainder of the season in the Bloods’ flag tilt. Harry Hanley (two goals) made a safe return from an overseas trip with immediate impact while the Bloods in form defence continued to deny the Lions.

Jordy Cotter, Lachlan Phillips and Jack Walker were solid again featuring among the best players behind Kight and progressive ruckman Joshua Stewart.

The Lions were disappointing given their recent form and perhaps due for a quiet day.

They were never really in the hunt as the margin extended north at every change.

Taj Bond finished with a team high three goals while midfielders Rory Gunsser (best) and Brodie Pope continued to rack up high possession numbers.

Big men Lachlan Bond and Jacob Werts were solid for the Lions while next gen Lachlan Kroussaritis and Rory Bell rounded out the pick of the visitors named in the best.

Melton face Sebastopol at Marty Busch Reserve in an ideal hit out ahead of finals.

The Lions host East Point and will be chasing a fifth win to end their season on a high.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Rory Gunsser (Redan) - 39 disposals, 9 clearances, 5 1%ers

Billy Crofts (Melton) - 26 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 12 clearances

Adrian Monitto (Melton) - 32 disposals, 11 marks, 7 rebound 50s 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Troy Scoble (Melton)
“Tough contest, Redan have quality players that challenge you defensively when they get momentum. Both sides did not convert in the first half, we felt our connection was clunky in transition but fortunately in the second half, with a lot to play for, we were able to run the game out well. Physical second half by both teams to be congratulated. Really pleased with our second half of year to date, one to go and see where we finish.”

Marc Greig (Redan)
“Solid game of footy. We missed a few easy ones in the second quarter to even up the scoreboard at halftime but that’s footy. The game went up a notch in the second half, and we didn’t match Melton in the third quarter who had plenty to play for with a finals spot up for grabs. Our lads kept up the pressure and scoring in the last, but the margin was too great. All the best in the finals. Looking forward to finishing the year strong in our last game vs East next week.”

The Cobras fell agonisingly short causing one of the upsets of the season stretching (then) ladder leaders Sebastopol to within two points at Maddingley Park.

Unfortunately, as brave as Dennis Armfield’s quiver were, given Melton’s win over Redan their finals prospects are now all but over.

The Cobras started well, confidence up with a narrow three-point lead before the Burra obtained the slender advantage at the main break (four points) and three quarter time (ten points).

With a genuine sniff of an upset and a finals spot on the table, the Cobras fought their hearts out restricting the high-flying Burra to their second lowest score of the season but to no avail.

While there was full praise for the Cobras charge against the odds, credit must be afforded to the Burra who were challenged from start to finish before winning the game.

Burra trio Toby Hutt, Adam Forbes and Joel Edwards all booted two goals and featured in the best in a game where goals were savoured and celebrated.

Cobras’ pair Josh Huxtable (in best) and Joel Freeman matched their Burra counterparts with a game high two goals.

Felix Henderson, Tony Lockyer, Cooper Littlehales and Jacob Wilkinson were prominent alongside their multiple goal contributors.

Cobras’ quintet Hamish Coulton, Luke Goetz, Jude Milburn, Isaac Nixon and Zach Vesty joined Huxtable in the best players in a timely reminder for Tony Lockyer’s Burra to maintain their form as finals approach.

Expect the Cobras to finish on a high next week with a big win over the Lakers while the Burra are at home to Melton who are showing signs of peaking at the right time.

Selection will be a watch this space across the games featuring the top six sides in particular given the make-up of the finals has essentially been decided.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Toby Hutt (Sebastopol) - 36 disposals, 15 marks, 10 tackles

Felix Henderson (Sebastopol) - 38 disposals, 9 inside 50s, 8 score involvements

Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 51 hitouts, 16 disposals, 14 contested possessions 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
“A ripping game of footy all game. Our last month we have had a focus on defence and our scores against have been a positive, unfortunately we couldn’t find that one goal to get us in front late. A few more seconds would have been great. However, congrats to Tony and his men. I want to wish Tony the best of luck in his last games as coach (however far), a true gentleman and great club person, pleasure to coach against.”

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
“Solid contest against Bacchus played in great spirit. Both teams with plenty to play for meant the pressure was high. Felt we got some good movement going early but couldn’t capitalise into scoreboard pressure missing some key chances. Our boys stayed strong whilst Bacchus kept the pressure right on themselves. They play a great brand of footy under Dennis when they are up and going. Anyone’s game to grab late and we did enough just to hang on. Looking forward to Melton next week!”

Finals bound Sunbury did enough to outlast East Point in a low scoring encounter by six points at Eastern Oval.

It was East Point’s sixth loss of the season by 19 points or less giving every indication their rebuild has been a success, not necessarily about win/loss.

In a dour struggle on a Wintery surface and goals at a premium it was the Lions’ Patrick Scanlon and Kangas’ Cooper Glenwright-McGuane who split the honours with three goals apiece.

Sunbury named Ben Eales best on ahead of Jordyn Tentonello, Myles Gollant and midfield pair Jack Newitt and Jake Egan.

It took every bit of the Lions’ will to win as the Kangas refused to throw in towel staying within touch at the breaks trailing by eight, two and ten at the last change.

The Kangas recognised the efforts of Jack Jeffrey and fresh names Archie Bennett, Zane Lubeek and Deng Lual among the best alongside Glenwright-McGuane and Hamish Thompson.

Sunbury host Ballarat in their last hit out ahead of finals while the Kangas chase a sixth win of the season against ninth placed Redan.

STATS THAT MATTERED

Jake Egan (Sunbury) - 34 disposals, 10 clearances, 7 score invovlements

Liam Canny (East Point) - 26 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 11 tackles

Myles Gollant (Sunbury) - 26 hitouts, 20 disposals, 18 contested possessions 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Tommy Molan (East Point)
“A really frustrating loss today. We couldn’t get the game on our terms at any stage. Our first quarter was really poor, but we managed to hold on. We struggled to find any connection from our defence forward, but our effort kept us in the contest. We played four 18-year-olds today and they held their own in heavy conditions, but we failed to take our moments late. Credit to Sunbury, they too were undermanned but managed the key moments in the game well and their leaders stood up when required. We managed to hit the lead with a couple of minutes to go but we failed to control contest at the next stoppage. There is a lot to like about our ability to stay in games, especially given our extensive injury list but, at the end of the day you are judged on Ws and we don’t have enough of them to progress into finals. We will be really keen to finish on a positive next week.”

Matty White (Sunbury)
“A hard fought win in extremely trying ground conditions. Best of luck to East Point getting their ground back in a playable condition and they can find somewhere to train. Was hard to get any ball movement going but a surge mentality worked in our favour. Guys stood up when required and great to have Scanlon back and kicking goals. Egan Newitt and Guth again provided the mid-forward connection. Happy to get through injury free and looking forward to a few more returning players next week and for finals.”