Darley and Sunbury clash for grand final berth

Week two of finals football arrives for the Times Footy Ballarat FNL, while the Central Highlands FNL moves into preliminary final weekend. Both competitions have high-stakes contests with grand final places on the line.

Ballarat: Darley and Sunbury in top-two battle

Darley meets Sunbury at Darley Park on Saturday in a semi-final that will send the winner directly into the grand final.

Local football commentator Sam Young, who can be heard on The Warm Up with Worlo & Moons, Saturday mornings from 8am on SEN Ballarat, said the Devils’ home-ground advantage is significant.

“Looking at the fact that the games are playing at Darley Park is a big kick and a big advantage for the Devils,” Young said.

“They’re undefeated there on their home turf in season 2025. I think Nick Himes is really important to their midfield just to give them that little bit of extra speed and that little bit of extra point of difference.”

Young tipped Darley to win by 14 points.

On Sunday, East Point faces Melton at Marty Busch Reserve in a replay of last year’s grand final. Young expects a close contest but leans towards the reigning premiers.

“I like the reigning premiers, the Bloods. They may have won two of their last eight going into the finals, but gee they looked very hot last week. They looked like they got back to their best,” he said.

Melton was tipped to edge out East Point by seven points.

Central Highlands: Bulldogs bank on experience

In the Central Highlands FNL, Skipton plays Dunnstown on Saturday in what looms as an open contest. Young said conditions will play a key role.

“If it’s fast and on the outside Skipton should get it done. It’s a tight contest and Dunnstown probably come in as slight favourite, but I’ve got Skipton in this one,” he said.

On Sunday, Daylesford meets Gordon for the second grand final spot. Gordon has historically enjoyed the upper hand, but Young said the Bulldogs’ experience could prove decisive.

“Look the Bulldogs in finals footy is a tough side to go against. You look at a guy like Jordan Schroder, of course spent time with the Cats in the AFL. His experience from the midfield but also the match-winning ability is important,” he said.

Young tipped Daylesford by 10 points.

Teams and Fixtures – Times Footy

With Darley, Melton, Skipton and Daylesford favoured, the stage is set for a blockbuster run into grand finals — Central Highlands next week and Ballarat in two weeks’ time.

Hear Sam Young on The Warm Up with Worlo & Moons every Saturday from 8am on SEN Ballarat.