The Weekly Wrap | The off field spotlight this week in country Victoria was focussed on the fast approaching June 30 deadline for clubs to nominate league transfers. At this stage, eight clubs have formally indicated they are seeking a new home for the 2027 season.
For a fourth consecutive year, Morwell East FNC is attempting to move from the Mid Gippsland FNL to the North Gippsland FNL, while Gisborne FNC is again hoping to return to the Ballarat FNL after spending recent seasons in the Bendigo FNL. The Bendigo FNL could also welcome two new clubs from the Loddon Valley FNL, with both Maiden Gully-YCW FNC and Marong FNC looking to join the competition. Meanwhile, Maryborough FNC, which has been in recess from the Bendigo FNL since 2024, is aiming to return to senior football in the Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL in 2027.
Elsewhere, Cohuna Kangas FNC is once again pursuing a move from the Central Murray FNL to the Heathcote & District FNL, Bright FNC has confirmed its desire to leave the Ovens & King FNL for the Tallangatta & District FNL, while Dalyston FNC continues its push to transfer from the West Gippsland FNC into the Ellinbank & District FNL. It promises to be a fascinating watch AFL Victoria begins assessing the applications.
The last remnants of clear weather across the weekend was well received and helped as there was no shortage of big scores.
For a second week in a row, Dartmoor FNC produced the biggest score of the weekend, piling on 39.17 (251) against Coleraine FNC's 1.1 (7) in the South West District FNL. The 244 point victory is the fourth biggest winning margin recorded in Victorian country football this season, while the 251 total is the seventh highest team score of 2026. Not far behind was the Sandhurst FNC, who kicked 37.25 (247) to defeat Broadford FNC by 229 points in the Bendigo FNL. Their total now ranks as the tenth highest score of the season, while the winning margin slots into ninth place overall.
The weekend also produced some remarkable league wide statistics. The South West District FNL recorded the highest average winning margin of any competition this season, with clubs winning by an average of 155.5 points across the round. The Upper Murray FNL wasn't far behind at 139.5 points, while both the Bendigo FNL (115.75) and Central Murray FNL (102.88) also averaged more than 100 points per game. Statewide, the average winning margin reached 61.61 points, making it the second most one sided round of the 2026 season.
In amongst the high scoring, there were several major upsets as a few unbeaten runs finally came to an end.
One of the biggest shocks occurred in the Geelong FNL where ladder leaders St Mary's FNC saw their sixteen game winning streak emphatically snapped by seventh placed Leopold FNC. The Lions stunned the competition heavyweights with a commanding 20.5 (125) to 9.8 (62) victory. Another premiership favourite also tasted defeat in the Gippsland FNL. Moe FNC entered the weekend on a ten game winning streak as they look to break a fifty nine year premiership drought, before sixth placed Maffra FNC produced one of the upsets of the year, winning a thrilling shootout 19.12 (126) to 19.7 (121).
Elsewhere, Trafalgar FNC's nine game unbeaten run ended in the Ellinbank & District FNL, while Alvie FNC, Kaniva-Leeor United FNC and Pyramid Hill FNC all suffered their first defeats after eight consecutive victories.
There was also plenty to celebrate for several clubs who finally broke through some lengthy losing streaks.
The state's second longest active losing streak came to an end in the Picola & District FNL when Mathoura FNC finally sang the song after thirty four consecutive defeats. Trailing Katunga FNC by fifteen points during the second half, Mathoura stormed home to win 10.13 (73) to 10.9 (69), recording its first victory since June 1, 2024.
Camperdown FNC also returned to the winners list in the Hampden FNL, ending an eleven-game losing streak with a 14.10 (94) to 10.5 (65) victory over Hamilton Kangaroos FNC, while in the Horsham & District FNL, Taylors Lake FNC recorded its first win of the season after overturning a nineteen point three quarter time deficit to defeat Natimuk United FNC by six points and snap a ninegame losing streak.
Several former AFL stars once again made headlines around country Victoria.
Former Hawthorn premiership champion Cyril Rioli made a much anticipated appearance for Tongala FNC in the Murray FNL. Although the spotlight was firmly on Rioli, it was Tongala's remarkable final quarter that stole the show. Trailing Cobram FNC by nineteen points at the final change, Tongala FNC slammed home eight goals in the last quarter to record an outstanding ten point victory. Over in the Picola & District FNL, former Port Adelaide teammates Justin Westhoff and Tom Jonas pulled on the boots for Katamatite FNC against Deniliquin Rovers FNC. Jonas, who helped his hometown club to last year's premiership, was named best afield, while Westhoff reminded everyone of his goal kicking ability with nine majors in Katamatite's 19.12 (126) to 9.7 (61) victory.
The big bags of goals continued to flow around the state.
Dean Macdonald led all comers with fifteen goals for Yallourn Yallourn North FNC in the North Gippsland FNL, while Riley Gow booted another thirteen for Barooga FNC. Branxholme Wallacedale FNC's Kieran Barker and South Barwon FNC's Matthew Caldow each kicked eleven goals, while Darcy Hourigan (Mallee Eagles FNC), Pat McKenna (Gisborne FNC) and Kaine Parsons (Tallangatta FNC ) all reached double figures with ten goal performances.
Four more forwards reached the coveted fifty goal milestone for the season. Ex AFL Tiger now at Diggers Rest FNC, Callum Moore, moved to 54 goals, Dean Macdonald's haul elevated him to 53, Gisborne FNC's Pat McKenna reached 51, while Neerim-Neerim South FNC's Kai Mounsey brought up exactly fifty majors for the year.
At the top of the statewide leaderboard, Kiewa Sandy Creek FNC spearhead Guy Telford continues to set the pace with 79 goals after another six goal performance. Carisbrook FNC's Tim Rinaldi remains second on 74 goals, while Barooga FNC's Riley Gow has climbed into third with 68 goals following another thirteen goal haul. Cowwarr FNC's Keenan Hughes sits fourth on 66 goals, with Bridgewater FNC's Lachie Sharp rounding out the top five on 65.
