Tough return for ex-Roo and Hawk; Razor umpires Rat win

Six leagues had a number of games on offer around the state with full rounds of matches taking place in the North East in the Ovens and King and Tallangatta and District FNLs while the Central Murray FNL hosted two games and there were one-off games in the Bendigo, Colac and District and Murray FNLs.

The match with the most intrigue for the weekend took place in the Bendigo FNL where South Bendigo FNC took on the newly out-of-recess Broadford FNC. Broadford last played in Division 2 of the Outer East FNL, over 950 days ago, before spending the 2024 and 2025 season in recess and without a league.

It was a tough return for the club, coached this year by former North Melbourne and Hawthorn ruck/forward Nathan Thompson, going down to one of last year's finalists by 205 points, kicking 2.1.(13) to South Bendigo's 32.26.(218). Hopefully one of Broadford's newest recruits for the upcoming year, ex-Geelong, Port Adelaide and Fremantle forward/midfielder Quinton Narkle, is available for their next match against last year's runner up, Sandhurst FNC.

Up in the Central Murray FNL league it was the launch of a newly-expanded league after the neighbouring Golden Rivers FNL was wound up at the end of 2025. The league, now home to 16 clubs, had two games as part of their 2026 Opening Round.

Wooden spooners last year in the Central Murray FNL, Swan Hill FNC, had a first up 57-point win against last year's Golden Rivers FNL runners up, the newly-renamed Ultima Storm FNC, 18.11.(119) to 9.8.(62). Former Adelaide, Gold Coast and Port Adelaide player Rory Atkins kicked three goals in the win that was officiated by former AFL umpire Ray Chamberlain.

The Opening Round match saw the reigning and last ever Golden Rivers FNL premiers, Hay FNC, have a first-up 52-point win against existing Central Murray FNL club Tyntynder FNC 12.10.(82) to 4.6.(30). A goal each by former AFL players Scott Lycett (West Coast, Port Adelaide) and Sam Gray (Port Adelaide, Sydney) wasn’t enough to help the Bulldogs to a first-up win.

There was a thrilling draw in the Tallangatta and District FNL in the rematch of last year's grand final between Barnawartha FNC and Sandy Creek FNC. Reigning premiers Kiewa Sandy Creek FNC came from behind late, with forward Guy Telford kicking his fifth goal for the match to even up the scores. When the siren sounded, both sides were locked on 9.8.(62) apiece.

While Telford’s bag of five goals was a good return, South Bendigo FNC’s Kaiden Antonowicz ended his day with 11 in the outing against Broadford FNC. There was a second double digit haul of goals over in the Ovens and King FNL, where Dominic Payman from Goorambat FNC finished the match against Benalla ALL Blacks FNC having booted 10 of his side's 17 majors.