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Also on Good Friday, expected improvers Castlemaine will host Golden Square, while Gisborne will take on Kangaroo Flat at Gardiner Reserve. To be played over two weekends on 25 April and 2 May, round four will feature two marquee events.<\/p>\n
In what is one of the most anticipated days on the BFNL calendar, South Bendigo will host reigning premier Eaglehawk at the QEO on ANZAC Day in a repeat of their 2025 clash.<\/p>\n
This will be followed on 2 May by Pat Cronin Foundation (PCF) Round, held in honour of Pat Cronin, a young man whose life was cut short by a coward punch while trying to protect a friend.<\/p>\n
Kangaroo Flat v Broadford will serve as the PCF feature match, with two other matches scheduled on the day \u2013 Castlemaine v Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst v Golden Square.<\/p>\n
The traditional Graeme Wright Memorial Cup match between South Bendigo and Sandhurst will be played at Harry Trott Oval during round six on 16 May.<\/p>\n
Previously announced in October, Bendigo will host Ovens and Murray in interleague football and netball at the QEO on 23 May.<\/p>\n
The two leagues will do battle in senior and under-18 football and senior, 17-and-under and 15-and-under netball.<\/p>\n
Next year will be the first time the BFNL fields a 15-and-under team at representative level and follows the introduction of a 15-and-under competition for the first time in league history.<\/p>\n
In partnership with the traditional owners of Djandak country in central Victoria, Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung people), BFNL Indigenous Round returns on 30 May, with Golden Square v South Bendigo at Wade Street as the feature match.<\/p>\n
The Indigenous Round feature match for 2026 will be played at Wade Street as the Bulldogs host South Bendigo.<\/p>\n
The league will play four Saturday games on the Saturday of the King’s Birthday weekend, while the league will pause for a general bye for the middle weekend of the July school holidays on 4 July.<\/p>\n
Another much-anticipated game, the Ron Best Memorial clash between Golden Square and Sandhurst, will take place at Wade Street in round 13 on 18 July.<\/p>\n
As part of a new partnership with the Bendigo Health Foundation, the BFNL will celebrate the ‘Fluoro for Neuro’ campaign in round 16.<\/p>\n
The initiative raises vital funds for treatment, recovery and care innovations for several neurological disorders.<\/p>\n
South Bendigo v Golden Square will be the feature match.<\/p>\n
The league’s finals series kicks off on 29 and 30 August with qualifying finals and elimination finals, with the grand final to be played on Saturday 19 September.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BFNL followers won’t have to wait long to get a look at league newcomers Broadford, with the Roos set to host South Bendigo in a standalone game to open the 2026 season. The 28 March clash at Harley Hammond Reserve will mark the club’s return to competitive football after two seasons in recess. After a […]<\/p>\n