City Oval to host BFNL grand final day again

CITY Oval will host the Ballarat Football Netball League footy grand final for the third year in a row, with the league confirming the booking last week.

The decision follows a pair of well attended grand final days over the past two years, including for last year’s 17-point win by Melton over East Point, and the Devils’ epic one-point victory against North Ballarat in 2023.

No decision has been made on the venues for the first three weeks of finals.

In 2024, Sebastopol’s Marty Busch Recreation Reserve, and Darley Park, both hosted elimination finals, while the qualifying final between Melton and East Point was also played at Darley Park.

In week two, Darley Park and City Oval hosted semi-finals, while in week three, Marty Busch Recreation Reserve was the venue for a thrilling preliminary final showdown between East Point and Darley, won by the Kangaroos by seven points.

BFNL followers can look forward to a similar mix of teams competing in this year’s senior football finals, with Darley (third last year), Melton (premiers), East Point (runners-up) and Sunbury (fifth) occupying the top four spots on the ladder after 11 rounds.

After spending the bulk of the first 11 rounds outside the top six, North Ballarat (sixth last year) moved into sixth place following a victory of Ballarat (fourth last year).

The Swans slipped to seventh. Big improvers Bacchus Marsh (ninth last year) hold down fifth spot ahead of a crucial round 12 clash against North Ballarat.

Sebastopol, currently eighth, remains firmly in the hunt, six points behind North Ballarat, while the door is not entirely shut on ninth-placed Redan’s final chances, heading into a must-win clash against Melton on July 12.

In A-grade netball, reigning premier Sunbury leads the way on 10-1, with Darley nipping at their heels on 9-1-1 following a stunning win over the Lions in round 10.

Perennial powerhouse North Ballarat (8-3) holds down third ahead of Lake Wendouree (7-3-1), Redan (6-5) and Bacchus Marsh (6-5).

While the order may change, those six teams shape as the eventual finalists, with East Point (seventh) and Sebastopol (ninth), both on 3-8, three wins and considerable percentage behind the Lions and Cobras.

Last year’s finalists were Sunbury, Redan, North Ballarat, Lake Wendouree, Melton South and Redan.