The Weekly Wrap | With only a handful of rounds remaining before finals begin across many competitions, there was no shortage of storylines around Victorian country football this weekend. While another eight clubs cracked the 200 point barrier on the field, much of the conversation centred on what competitions clubs may be playing in from 2027 onwards.

The big announcement came from the Picola & District FNL, confirming the competition will return to a two division structure in 2027. The move revives the North West and South East set up last used in 2017 and comes after continued growth has pushed the league back to 16 clubs.

There was also plenty happening on the league movement front. Marong FNC has officially been approved to leave the Loddon Valley FNL and join the Bendigo FNL in 2027, while fellow Loddon Valley club Maiden Gully-YCW FNC was unsuccessful in its application to make the same move.

The Outer East FNL and Eastern FNL took a significant step towards a possible future merger, announcing a Memorandum of Understanding as both competitions investigate combining for the 2028 season. Further east, Swan Reach FNC confirmed plans to return from recess and rejoin the Omeo & District FNL in 2027, while Cohuna Kangas FNC was again denied permission to leave the Central Murray FNL for the Heathcote & District FNL, reigniting speculation around a possible breakaway competition.

It was another weekend of massive scores as despite wintery conditions across much of Victoria, another eight clubs managed to kick 200 points or more. Alexandra FNC produced one of the performances of the season in the Outer East Division One competition, piling on 45.19 (289) against Powelltown FNC. The 281 point victory is the sixth biggest winning margin recorded this season.

Talbot FNC wasn't far behind, smashing Campbells Creek by 260 points after kicking 41.21 (267), while Newtown & Chilwell FNC (237), Mallee Eagles FNC (227), South Bendigo FNC (215), Calder United FNC (212), Bridgewater FNC (202) and Tooleybuc Manangatang FNC (200) also joined the 200 point club over the weekend..

At league level, it was another extraordinary weekend for scoring.The Maryborough Castlemaines District FNL, Omeo & District FNL, Outer East (Div 1) FNL and Upper MUrray FNL all producing enormous average winning margins, with the statewide average again sitting just under 60 points.

While plenty of teams filled their boots, several struggled simply to register a score. Cavendish FNC was held to just 0.1 (1) for the second time this season against ladder leaders Dartmoor FNC. Merrigum FNC also managed only 0.1 (1) against Lancaster in the Kyabram & District FNL, while Campbells Creek, Lancefield, Broadford, Murrabit, Poowong and Powelltown all finished with eight points or fewer.

However there was no shortage of close finishes despite the number of blowouts.

Hamilton Kangaroos FNC finally snapped its losing streak with a thrilling one point victory over Port Fairy FNC, surviving despite kicking 9.16.
Officer FNC edged Mt Evelyn by a solitary point in the Outer East Premier Division, while inaccurate kicking again proved costly for Mt Evelyn. The Ovens & Murray FNL delivered another classic, with Wodonga Raiders FNC edging out Corowa Rutherglen FNC by one point after scores being close all afternoon. Meanwhile the Warragul Industrials FNC held off Phillip Island FNC by a single point in another finals shaping West Gippsland thriller.

Three unbeaten teams suffered their first loss of the season. Foster FNC's 15 match winning streak came to an end in the Mid Gippsland FNL after second placed Yinnar FNC restricted the Tigers to just three goals in a low scoring affair.

Reigning Murray FNL premier Cobram FNC reminded everyone why it remains a premiership threat, ending Congupna FNC's perfect season by storming home from three goals down during the third quarter to win despite kicking 9.16. Wallan FNC also tasted defeat for the first time this year, with fifth placed Melton South caused an upset in the Riddell & District FNL season. Elsewhere, winning streaks also ended for Strathfieldsaye FNC, Geelong Amateur FNC, Cardross FNC, Echuca FNC and Phillip Island FNC.

The long wait is finally over as the third-longest active losing streak in Victorian country football finally came to an end. Dederang Mt Beauty FNC broke a run of 34 consecutive defeats by defeating Wodonga Saints FNC by 17 points in the Tallangatta & District FNL. Morwell East FNC also celebrated its first victory after 11 straight losses with an impressive win over Toora FNC, while the Hamilton Kangaroos ended an eight-game drought with their thrilling one-point success over Port Fairy.

Sam Critchley produced the biggest individual performance of the weekend, booting 19 goals for Alexandra FNC in the club's huge victory over Powelltown. Elsewhere Jhye Baddeley-Kelly stole the show with a remarkable 17-goal haul for Pyramid Hill FNC, it was 13 goals apiece for Josh Chatfield (Tooleybuc-Manangatang FNC) and Dale Pearce (Calder United FNC). Cleaning up with a neat dozen from their weekends work was South Bendigo FNC’s Brock Harvey and Lachie Sharp who continued his incredible season with 12 goals for Bridgewater FNC.

In total there were nine forwards who kicked double figure bags, while a further nine more players also joined the 50 goal club for the season, highlighting just how dominant key forwards continue to be in 2026.

However, the race to the ton is over after it was a landmark weekend for the state's leading goalkickers.

Guy Telford became the first player in Victorian country football to reach 100 goals this season, achieving the milestone just eight minutes into the opening quarter against Rutherglen. Keenan Hughes wasn't far behind, bringing up his century midway through the third quarter for Cowwarr FNC, before Lachie Sharp completed an extraordinary weekend by reaching 100 with the last of his 12 goals against Maiden Gully YCW.

The race for the statewide golden boot is now heating up with Tom Barnes from Nagambie FNC on 93, followed close behind by Dartmoor FNC’s Christian Howlett and Carisbrook FNC’s Tim Rinaldi who both have 90. With the amount of big bags being kicked this year, we could have 3 or more centenarians by this time next week.