A further 11 leagues took advantage of the Easter Weekend to kick off their 2026 football and netball seasons.
In worrying signs early for the year, Kyabram FNC in the Goulburn Valley FNL forfeited their A Grade netball match early in the week, however a call to arms saw them secure enough players to field a team by Saturday. Hopefully this is not a trend that continues over the course of the season for all football and netball clubs.
The Ovens and Murray FNL started the season with a Grand Final rematch under lights between Wangaratta FNC and Wangaratta Rovers FNC, with the Rovers again defeating the Magpies in a tightly fought 12 point result. Albury FNC started their 150th celebration year with a 22 point loss to Myrtleford FNC who are trying to break a 55 year premiership drought in 2026.
Down in the Bellarine FNL, we welcomed the latest new stand alone club in Victorian country footy, the Surf Coast Suns FNC who took on one of last year's finalists Torquay FNC in their inaugural match. Debuting for the Suns was former Calton FC player Ross Young, who at 42 years of age, is possibly the oldest league debutant.
Despite the presence of Young and with Torquay being without former Port Adelaide legend Travis Boak who is returning to his home club this year, the Tigers were far too dominant, running out 148 point winners, 25.16 166 to 2.6 18. The honour of kicking the Suns first ever goal went to Tommy Stephen at the 7 minute mark of the final quarter. Whilst it was the biggest winning margin over the weekend, the highest score was kicked by Gisborne FNC in the Bendigo FNL where they ended the day on 26.20 178 in an 124 point blowout win against Kangaroo Flat FNC.
In the opening round of the Sunraysia FNL a 12 year losing streak came to an end when South Mildura FNC finally defeated Irymple FNC for the first time since 2014. It was a tight affair all day and both sides went goal for goal in a hectic final term that before South Mildura were able to kick two late goals and get the edge for a 5 point win, 11.13 79 to 11.8 74.
It was a Good Friday for the Barooga FNC, who after enduring 25 straight winless games started with a first up win on their return to the Picola and District FNL after spending the last 35 years in the Murray FNL. It wasn’t without a scare however, as despite leading by 25 points at half time, they only managed 1 point in the third quarter, starting the last quarter 3 points behind opponents, Tocumwal FNC. A seven goal to three last quarter saw them run out winners 16.5 101 to 12.8 80.
Some former AFL players found plenty of goals across weekend matches. Former Demon, Hawk and Saint James Frawley kicked 5 for South Bendigo FNC in a 7 point loss to Strathfieldsaye FNC, while another ex Hawk, Denver Grainger-Barras, kicked 4 for King Valley FNC and was the difference in their 16 point win against North Wangaratta FNC in the Ovens and King FNL.
In the Bellarine FNL it was two former Western Bulldog teammates who traded goals. Roarke Smith kicked 4 goals for Modewarre FNC while Sam Lloyd managed 5 for Geelong Amateur FNC. It would be Lloyd walking away with bragging rights after his side had a comfortable 60 point win, 20.12 132 to 11.6 72.
After leading all comers with a bag of 11 goals last weekend, South Bendigo FNC’s Kaiden Antonowicz will now miss the remainder of 2026 after it was confirmed the knee injury he sustained in the final minute of last week’s game is a season ending ACL. This weekend, Tynan Smith from Torquay FNC matched the haul of 11 with his own bag against newcomers the Surf Coast Suns FNC. He was the only forward to finish with double digit goals next to his name from the games just played.
Harry Moran from Greta FNC in the Ovens in King FNL sits atop the statewide table with 12 goals after having played two rounds so far. He is followed by Antonowicz and Smith who both have 11 and Goormabat FNC’s Dominic Payman is next on the leaderboard with 10.
Next weekend will see all bar 1 league in action for 2026, with the following leagues in action for the first time this year: Central Highlands FNL, East Gippsland FNL, Ellinbank & DIstrict FNL, Geelong FNL, Geelong & District FNL, Gippsland FNL, Hampden FNL, Heathcote & District FNL, Horsham & District FNL, Kyabram & DIstrict FNL, Loddon Valley FNL, Millewa FNL, Mininera & District FNL, Mid Gippsland FNL, North Central FNL, North Gippsland FNL, Omeo & District FNL, Outer East FNLand the South West District FNL.
