Ballarat Sports Talk

What will it take to secure the double chance with a top two finish or make the cut for finals in the Ballarat Football Netball League with four rounds to play:

SEBASTOPOL - 1st, 48 premiership points
+ One win clear on top, but with % tight still needs 3 wins to assure top 2 finish.
+ Favourable draw - Sunbury (5th), Lake Wendouree (10th), Bacchus Marsh (7th) and Melton (6th) to come
+ Favourite to be minor premier

BALLARAT - 2nd, 44
+ Just 5% ahead of North Ballarat so needs to keep winning to get a top 2 finish. In its own hands.
+ Games to come: East Point (8th), Redan (9th), Darley (4th) and Sunbury (5th).
+ The clash with Darley looks likely to determine where the Swans finish, with the Devils having won the match-up earlier in the season.

NORTH BALLARAT - 3rd, 44
+ With so little in % the Roosters just have to keep winning. Any glitch will make a top 2 finish difficult to achieve.
+ What’s ahead: Melton (6th), Sunbury (5th), Lake Wendouree (10th) and Darley (4th).
+ Lakers fixture is the only home game, so it’s going to be tested all the way. So much to play out.

DARLEY - 4th, 40
+ Top spot looks out of reach, but anything else is possible in a potential top 4 shuffle.
+ Games to come: Lake Wendouree (10th), Melton (6th), Ballarat (2nd) and North Ballarat (3rd).
+ Last 2 rounds have potential to shape the premiership race in a big way.

SUNBURY - 5th, 28
+ It’s all about securing a top 6 spot - either 5th or 6th at best.
+ % gives it effectively a 3-win buffer inside the top 6.
+ The Lions might only get 1 win in the run home, but that will be enough - Sebastopol (1st), North Ballarat (3rd), East Point (8th) and Ballarat (2nd)

MELTON - 6th, 24
+ A win and big lump of percentage inside top 6 ahead of Bacchus Marsh, but it is far from safe.
+ 2 wins will be enough, but the Bloods are going to be stretched to get those
+ Games left - North Ballarat (3rd). Darley (4th), Redan (9th) and Sebastopol (1st). Tough run.

BACCHUS MARSH - 7th, 20
+ Can the Cobras bridge the gap to make finals?
+ A poor percentage means it needs to get two more wins than Melton. That’s tough, but definitely gettable.
+ So if Melton gets just one win, can Bacchus Marsh get 3? Definitely.
+ What’s to come: Redan (9th), East Point (8th), Sebastopol (1st), Lake Wendouree (10th).

It could be a grandstand finish for the lost spot in finals.

Sebastopol Football Netball Club
Ballarat Football Netball Club
North Ballarat Football & Netball Club
Darley Football Netball Club
Melton Football Netball Club 'The Bloods'
Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club
Bacchus Marsh Football & Netball Club

Is there a better winning combination in Ballarat at the moment than race horse trainer Mitch Freedman Racing and his racing manager Alex Ross?

Freedman had a day out at Swan Hill on Tuesday with an incredible four winners.

He’s had bigger winners as a successful G1 trainer, but never a more prolific day.

As well as sharing in that success, Ross is also firing in his first season at Bungaree Football and Netball Club senior coach - having the Demons on top of the Central Highlands Football League ladder and to the fore of premiership contention.

They're flying!

Always a special time for Bungaree Football and Netball Club and the whole football and wider community.

Danny Frawley - you could take the boy out of Bungaree, but never take Bungaree out of the boy!

❤️A Special Night at Bungaree Football Netball Club💙

As a past player of the Bungaree Football Netball Club, Danny Frawley’s connection to our club is one we’re incredibly proud of and one that continues to be honoured through the Danny Frawley Pavilion.

This Thursday, we’re honoured to welcome Chelsea Frawley, Danny’s daughter, to Bungaree as part of Spud’s Round.
In conjunction with Spud’s Game, the Black Dog Institute and the Danny Frawley Centre, Chelsea will be joining us at training to share a meaningful message about mental health, resilience and the importance of looking out for one another.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our players, members, and the wider community to hear Chelsea speak, continue the conversation around mental health, and support a cause that means so much to so many.

🗓 Thursday 30 July
⏰ 4:30pm
📍 Bungaree Football Netball Club

We encourage all players, members, families, supporters and the wider community to come along and be part of this special evening.
🔴🔵

Telling results with senior finals looming in the Ballarat Football Netball League Central Highlands Football League and Central Highlands Netball League

Round 14 results from Saturday, July 25

BFNL (4 ROUNDS TO GO)
SENIOR FOOTBALL
Sunbury 10.14 (74) d Bacchus Marsh 8.7 (55)
Ballarat 12.16 (88) d Melton 10.5 (65)
North Ballarat 8.10 (58) d Redan 6.4 (40)
Sebastopol 15.7 (97) d Darley 10.15 (75)
East Point 12.10 (82) d Lake Wendouree 3.6 (24)

LADDER
SEBASTOPOL 44
BALLARAT 30
DARLEY 40
NORTH BALLARAT 40
MELTON 24
SUNBURY 24
Bacchus Marsh 20
Redan 16
East Point 12
Lake Wendouree 0

A GRADE NETBALL
Bacchus Marsh 41 d Sunbury 40
Ballarat 83 d Melton 23
North Ballarat 45 d Redan 6.4 35
Darley 54 d Sebastopol 44
Lake Wendouree 53 d East Point 37

LADDER
DARLEY 52
NORTH BALLARAT 52
LAKE WENDOUREE 40
SUNBURY 34
SEBASTOPOL 34
BALLARAT 24
Bacchus Marsh 24
East Point 12
Redan 4
Melton 0

CHFL (3 ROUNDS TO GO)
SENIORS
Skipton 17.15 (117) d Creswick 8.5 (53)
Rokewood-Corindhap 22.12 (144) d Clunes 9.10 (64)
Newlyn 8.9 (57) d Beaufort 7.3 (45)
Dunnstown 10.13 (73) d Ballan 5.5 (35)
Daylesford 14.11 (95) d Learmonth 5.6 (36)
Carngham-Linton 9.10 (64) d Waubra 9.7 (61)
Hepburn 8.5 (53) d Buninyong 8.4 (52)
Bungaree 10.16 (76) d Gordon 3.8 (26)

LADDER
BUNGAREE 52*
DAYLESFORD 48
DUNNSTOWN 42
LEARMONTH 36
GORDON 36
SKIPTON 32
BUNINYONG 32
NEWLYN 30
Rokewood-Corindhap 24
Springbank 24
Carngham-Linton 24
Waubra 24
Clunes 16
Ballan 8
Beaufort 8
Hepburn 8*
Creswick 4*
* yet to have a bye

CHNL
A GRADE
Skipton 51 d Creswick 27
Rokewood-Corindhap 80 d Clunes 44
Beaufort 48 d Newlyn 31
Dunnstown 38 d Ballan 37
Daylesford 47 d Learmonth 40
Waubra 39 d Carngham-Linton 34
Hepburn 10 d Buninyong 0 on forfeit
Bungaree 40 drew with Gordon 40

LADDER
HEPBURN 52
DAYLESFORD 52
LEARMONTH 48
SPRINGBANK 44
GORDON 42
BEAUFORT 36
BUNGAREE 34
DUNNSTOWN 32
Rokewood-Corindhap 32
Skipton 32
Newlyn 28
Carngham-Linton 20
Buninyong 16
Waubra 16
Clunes 12
Ballan 8
Creswick 0

A Geoff Taylor Medallist is back for the first time this season.

2021 Central Highlands Football League best and fairest Mitch Gilbert makes his first appearance for Skipton Football Netball Club since last year’s grand final at Skipton today.

Gilbert was arguably the best on the ground in the Emus’ premiership performance.

He lines up against Creswick.

BREAKING - An ex-AFL player is ending his stint with a Ballarat regional club.

As the coaching merry-go-round gets into full swing, former Hawthorn and Essendon forward Mark Williams is ending his second stint as senior coach of Ballan Football Netball Club in the Central Highlands Football League.

Williams first coached the Blues in 2014 and 2015, and returned this season.

Ballan president David O’Hanlon announced the news on Friday night:
“Mark recently advised the playing group and committee that he would not be seeking to continue in the role next season. His decision comes after careful consideration of his family and work commitments, together with the significant demands of travelling from Melbourne three times a week.
“While we are naturally disappointed to see Mark step away, we fully respect his decision and sincerely thank him for his professionalism, commitment and leadership he has shown throughout his time at our club.”

All the ins and outs for Ballarat Football Netball League senior teams in round 14 on Saturday:

SUNBURY V BACCHUS MARSH
SUNBURY
In: Jake Egan, Harry Minton-Connell, Joel Muir, Nathan Wood
Out: Murphy Boyd, Jack Hannett, Aaron Melis, Sam Parker, BACCHUS MARSH
In: Ben Locke, Jacob Martin (senior debut), Harry Metcher (senior debut)
Out Zach Dalli, James McDaid, Callum Smith

BALLARAT V MELTON
BALLARAT
In: Blake Mooney, Tyson Richard, Sam Battistella, Bailey Fraser, Alex Keath
Out: Luke Dunstan, Nash Armstrong, Chevy Smart, Harpur Adam, Biggie Byuon
MELTON
In: Lachlan Walker, Oliver Dreaver
Out: Oscar Greenshields, Ryan Carter

NORTH BALLARAT V REDAN
NORTH BALLARAT
In: Brayden Purchase, Will Quinlan, OIiver Potter (senior debut)
Out: Michael Hughes, Jason McInerney, Isaac Lovison
REDAN
In: Xavier Coutts (new), Jock McDougall
Out: Jordan Grant, Nick Barker
New: Xavier Coutts (Lismore-Derrinallum)

DARLEY V SEBASTOPOL
DARLEY
In: Duncan Cadman
Out: Jason Fawcett
SEBASTOPOL
In: Tony Lockyer, Jack McNab, Jacob Lawler
Out: Luke Kiel, Luke Phillips, Jacob Fletcher

EAST POINT V LAKE WENDOUREE
EAST POINT
In: Brayden Joyce, Dylan Hiscock, Tom Brown
Out: Bryn Thompson, Hamish Thompson, Joe Dodd
LAKE WENDOUREE
In: Will Fordham
Out: Sam Canny

*Selection based on teams publish on BFNL Playhq on Thursday night

SATURDAY UPDATE - A well credentialed experienced tall make a senior debut for his second Central Highlands Football League club in round 14 on Saturday.

Ben Krol has been called up by Learmonth Football Netball after switching from Skipton in the off-season.

Buninyong Football Netball Club has also recalled a veteran key position player Jake Dunne for his third senior appearance of the season - matching what he achieved in his first season back with the Bombers last year after coaching Learmonth.

TEAM CHANGES

SKIPTON V CRESWICK
SKIPTON
In: Josh Peters, Mitch Gilbert
Out: Luke Delahay, Will Beever
CRESWICK
In: Jai Yeoman, Brodie Plover
Out: Dane-Francis Whitfield, Tim Rieniets

ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP V CLUNES
ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP
In: Ed Denouden, Nathan Patrikeos
Out: Jesse Carroll, Tom Boots
CLUNES
No change*

NEWLYN V BEAUFORT
NEWLYN
In: Lachy McPhan, Brodie Tallent, Paddy Labbett
Out: Liam Gill, Harry Bentley, William Lambert
BEAUFORT
In: Flynn Kellett. Harrison Newitt (new/returning)
Out: Xander Robertson, Riley Tuddenham
New: Harrison Hewitt (Sherwood QAFL)

DUNNSTOWN V BALLAN
DUNNSTOWN
No change*
BALLAN
In: Jordan Lingard
Out: Ben Neumann

DAYLESFORD V LEARMONTH
DAYLESFORD
IN: Daniel Montalto (new), Ben Morton,
Out: Peterson Kol, Travis Dean
New: Daniel Montalto (Point Cook/Werribee Districts)
LEARMONTH
Out: Josh Findlay
In: Ben Krol

WAUBRA V CARNGHAM-LINTON
WAUBRA
In: Dean Robertson
Out: Matthew Deman
CARNGHAM-LINTON
No change*

HEPBURN V BUNINYONG
HEPBURN
In: Jamie Cook, Matt Davis
Out: Gus Prenc, Trent Rafferty
BUNINYONG
In: Jake Dunne
Out: Hunter Donald

BUNGAREE V GORDON
BUNGAREE
In: Ben Dodd
Out: Joel Gallagher
GORDON
No change*

* Selection based on teams published on CHFL Playhq

There’s a major celebration looming for the most recognisable figure in the Central Highlands Football League

Waubra Football Netball Club big man Nic Moran plays his 300th senior game in front of a home crowd against Carngham-Linton on Saturday. Congratulations to him.

The evergreen Moran is a two-time senior premiership player (2011 and 2019) and has been a major contributor in the Roos’ rise up the ladder this season.

You can’t miss him with his iconic long beard, but who can remember what he looked like before he stopped shaving?

Photo courtesy of Facebook

A second Ballarat Football Netball League club will play out the season under the guidance of a caretaker senior coach.

Joe Carmody has stepped down from his role at East Point Football Netball Club Inc. with five rounds to play.

He had announced his intention to finish his tenure at the Roos at the end of the year, but has brought that forward.

Lake Wendouree Football Netball Club has Jake Lohmann is in place as a caretaker after Rohan Brown stood down on learning his cointract would not be extended into 2027.