The Weekly Wrap | The off-field spotlight continued to focus on league movement ahead of the June 30 transfer deadline, as the Ballarat FNL has again voted overwhelmingly in favour of welcoming Gisborne FNC back into the competition from 2027, despite significant turnover on the league board in recent months.
The vote reinforces the league's desire to have the Bulldogs return after more than two decades in the Bendigo FNL.
In the Geelong FNL, North Shore FNC coach Mark Hounslow will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after an AFL Victoria rules review overturned part of an earlier tribunal ruling. Hounslow had originally received a six-match suspension for approaching umpires following a match, along with a further three weeks for contact with an opposition player. The original tribunal had ruled the penalties be served concurrently, however AFL Victoria determined they must instead be served consecutively, effectively ending his season on the sidelines.
Across in the Bellarine FNL, one of the biggest player signings of the year was confirmed just before the June 30 clearance deadline, with dual Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett Jnr officially signing to return to his junior club Modewarre FNC for the remainder of the season. When he lines up first for the club is the next question to be answered.
With just nineteen leagues in action due to another round of mid-season byes, scoring remained surprisingly healthy across Victoria. The statewide average winning margin finished at 56.05 points, making it the seventh highest scoring round of the 2026 season despite the reduced fixture.
One statistic that stood out was the first scoreless teams of the season. In Outer East FNL Division One, Yarra Junction FNC was held scoreless for the afternoon as Seville FNC stormed to a 28.24 (192) to 0.0 (0) victory. A similar story unfolded in the South West District FNL where Heathmere FNC was also unable to trouble the scorers, with Cavendish FNC winning comfortably 16.22 (118) to 0.0 (0).
Cowwarr FNC recorded the biggest score of the weekend, kicking 30.14 (194) in the North Gippsland FNL, while Seville FNC's 192 points and Laharum FNC's 28.15 (183) against Taylors Lake FNC rounded out another weekend of dominant attacking football.
There were several thrilling finishes around the state. In the Tallangatta & District FNL, Wahgunyah FNC kicked the final three goals of the match to snatch a draw against Rutherglen FNC, with both teams finishing on 7.7 (49).
The Loddon Valley FNL produced two outstanding finishes. Bears Lagoon Serpentine FNC charged home with five goals in the final quarter but fell just short against Macorna FNC, losing by a solitary point, 12.9 (81) to 12.8 (80). Later in the round, Pyramid Hill FNC's Jhye Baddeley-Kelly became the hero when he converted a free kick after the siren to hand his side a dramatic two point victory over Maiden Gully YCW FNC, 12.12 (84) to 13.4 (82).
There was another remarkable comeback in the Mid Gippsland FNL where Foster FNC overcame a dreadful three quarters in front of goal. After managing just 3.13 by the final change, Foster suddenly found its range, booting six goals two behinds in the final quarter while restricting Stony Creek FNC to just 1.1 to run away 9.15 (69) to 8.4 (52) winners.
A pair of unbeaten runs also came to an end over the weekend. Lancaster FNC suffered its first defeat of the season in the Kyabram & District FNL, going down to Nagambie FNC 12.8 (80) to 8.8 (56), while Winchelsea FNC ended Werribee Centrals FNC's ten match winning streak in the Geelong & District FNL with a hard-fought 12.9 (81) to 12.7 (79) victory.
Several clubs also celebrated ending lengthy losing streaks. Maldon FNC recorded its first win after eight consecutive defeats, comfortably defeating Campbells Creek FNC 19.13 (127) to 6.5 (41) in the Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL. In the Heathcote & District FNL, Elmore FNC celebrated just its second victory of the season after defeating White Hills FNC 10.10 (70) to 7.9 (51), ending a seven game losing streak in the process.
Former AFL names again featured prominently across country Victoria. Ex Collingwood and Western Bulldogs forward Travis Cloke continued his impressive season with another five goals for Yarra Glen FNC, taking his season tally to 37 majors. Former Melbourne player Michael Newton also continued his outstanding campaign with another eight goals for Whorouly FNC, moving to 68 goals for the season and placing himself among the state's leading goalkickers.
The biggest individual bag of the weekend belonged to Cora Lynn FNC spearhead Nathan Gardiner, who kicked a remarkable fifteen goals in the West Gippsland FNL against Dalyston FNC. Jack Fenner from Laharum FNC finished with thirteen goals, while Bridgewater FNC's Lachie Sharp booted eleven. Cowwarr FNC teammates Keenan Hughes and Caleb Michie each kicked ten goals in the same match, while Wallan FNC's Lachlan Smart and Kiewa Sandy Creek FNC star Guy Telford also reached double figures.
Two more forwards joined the fifty-goal club this weekend. Nathan Gardiner's haul of fifteen elevated him to 54 goals for the season, while Winchelsea FNC's Cameron Primmer reached 52 after another six-goal performance.
At the top of the overall leaderboard, Guy Telford continues to put together a great season, extending his lead to 89 goals after another ten goal performance for Kiewa Sandy Creek FNC. Tim Rinaldi remains second on 79 goals for Carisbrook FNC, while Keenan Hughes and Lachie Sharp are now locked together on 76 goals apiece. Riley Gow and former AFL Demon Michael Newton share fifth position on 68 goals, setting up a fascinating race for the state's leading goalkicker over the remainder of the season.
