Another former Tiger kicks bag to mark 100-goal season

They're back!! After going into recess in 2024 and trying to find a home league to re-enter, it was announced that the Maryborough FNC will return to the field in 2027 as part of the Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL.

Officer FNC’s attempted move to the Southern FL was officially knocked back by AFL Victoria which will see them remain on the Outer East FNL next season.

We also have the first three premierships of the 2026 Victorian country football season decided, and all three champions have a familiar feeling about them.

Bambill FNC, Bruthen FNC and Bullioh FNC have all added another chapter to their recent dominance, with each club celebrating a premiership this weekend as the finals series begins to separate the contenders from the pretenders. For Bambill FNC, it was another remarkable chapter in a period of sustained success. The club claimed its fourth Millewa FNL premiership in five seasons after overcoming Cardross FNC 15.13 (103) to 14.6 (90).

Bruthen FNC went one better in terms of perfection, completing an undefeated season in the Omeo & District FNL with a commanding 61-point Grand Final victory over reigning premier Omeo-Benambra FNC. And in the Upper Murray FNL, Bullioh FNC completed its own hat-trick of premierships, comfortably accounting for Tumbarumba FNC by 62 points, 16.9 (105) to 6.7 (43).

Finals football delivers the drama while three clubs were celebrating, there was no shortage of finals drama elsewhere across the state.

South Mildura FNC has developed a remarkable habit of making things difficult for itself and then finding a way to win. For the second consecutive week, South Mildura secured a one point victory in the Sunraysia FNL, this time producing a stunning comeback against Ouyen United FNC. Trailing by 26 points at three quarter time, South Mildura stormed home to win 9.10 (64) to 9.9 (63) and keep its premiership campaign alive.

Bridgewater FNC also booked its place in the Loddon Valley FNL Grand Final, but not without being pushed all the way by Pyramid Hill FNC, prevailing by just two points, 18.5 (113) to 16.15 (111), surviving a barrage of inaccurate Pyramid Hill kicking to move one step closer to another premiership. There was another two point thriller in the MPNFNL Division One, with Mt Eliza FNC edging out Frankston YCW FNC 10.7 (67) to 9.11 (65).

The finals also produced some remarkable comebacks, keeping premiership dreams alive. Cowwarr FNC booked the first Grand Final place in the North Gippsland FNL after overcoming Heyfield FNC in a remarkable Second Semi Final. Trailing by 24 points at three quarter time, Cowwarr produced a stunning final term to run over the top of Heyfield and win 15.16 (106) to 14.4 (88). Wallan FNC produced a similar escape in the Riddell & District FNL, recovering from 21 points down at the final change to defeat Kyneton FNC by three points, 15.19 (109) to 15.16 (106).

In the Wimmera FNL, Nhill FNC also left it late, hitting the lead for the first time at the 16 minute mark of the final quarter before holding on for an eight-point victory over Southern Mallee Thunder FNC. While in the Ballarat FNL, Sebastopol FNC kept its premiership hopes alive with a five point Qualifying Final victory over ladder leader North Ballarat FNC, with a goal in the 31st minute proving decisive.

The arrival of September hasn't stopped the big scores. Diggers Rest FNC produced one of the biggest finals performances of the weekend in the Riddell & District FNL, piling on 26.20 (176) to defeat Riddell FNC by 131 points. The performance had an individual highlight of its own, with former AFL Tiger Callum Moore booting 11 goals to take his season tally to exactly 100. Waaia FNC also made a statement in the Picola & District FNL, as last years runners up defeated Berrigan FNC by 98 points, 20.20 (140) to 6.6 (42).

For some of the competition favourites, however, September has already delivered heartbreak. Harrow Balmoral FNC, Somerville FNC and Yackandandah FNC have all suffered straight sets exits after consecutive finals defeats. Several other premiership contenders are now walking a similar tightrope after suffering their second loss of the season. In the East Gippsland FNL, Boisdale Briagolong FNC came agonisingly close to joining that group. After losing its Qualifying Final, the league leader was forced to win the Preliminary Final to keep its season alive and did just enough to earn a place in the Grand Final.

The weekends finals also saw some upset results with several leagues having surprising final results over the weekend:
6th beats 3rd: Goulburn Valley FNL and Murray FNL’s
5th beats 3rd: Horsham & District FNL
5th beat 4th: Ballarat FNL, Bellarine FNL, Central Highlands FNL, Goulburn Valley FNL and Ovens and Murray FNL

The finals also brought the end of several impressive winning runs. NNW United FNC's unbeaten 15 game run in the Central Murray FNL came to an end against Cohuna Kangas FNC, while Whorouly FNC's 14 game winning streak was stopped by Bright FNC in the Ovens & King FNL. Shepparton FNC's 10 game winning streak also disappeared in the Goulburn Valley FNL, with Echuca FNC recording a 30 point Qualifying Final victory.

Other notable streaks ending included Heyfield FNC's nine game run in the North Gippsland FNL, Red Cliffs FNC's nine game run in the Sunraysia FNL, North Ballarat FNC's eight game streak in the Ballarat FNL and Yinnar FNC's eight game run in the Mid Gippsland FNL.

Grand Finals next week:
East Gippsland FNL: (2nd v 1st) Lindenow FNC v Boisdale Briagolong FNC
Heathcote and District FNL: (1st v 2nd) Mount Pleasant FNC v North Bendigo FNC
South West District FNL: (1st v 3rd) Dartmoor FNC v Tyrendarra FNC