The King’s Birthday weekend marks the halfway point of local football and netball’s season. For the Mitchell region’s clubs, what has happened so far in 2025?
Riddell District FNL
Lancefield FNC
What’s Gone Right?
The clear standout for Lancefield this season so far is the stunning season the Tigers’ netball club has had.
After finishing just percentage ahead of last-placed Diggers Rest in 2024, the Tigers have vaulted up the ladder to sit second at the halfway point of the season with just one blemish, that coming against top team Woodend-Hesket in round six.
On the football field, while it’s been a slower grind moving on up, there’s still been some distinct positives.
Tom Jackson has settled in very well after a move from Tullamarine in the off-season and has kicked 20 goals in seven games.
Riley O’Meara is a leading candidate for the club’s best and fairest with six appearances in the best players for Lancefield, while Max Taylor (five), William Wright (four) and Reuben Schembri (four) have also been consistent performers.
What Needs Improving?
Lancefield are still seeking its first win on the football field since 2023.
The Tigers have lost its past two matches by a combined total of 214 points, and the task does not get easier after the break as it welcomes reigning premiers Riddell, followed by a bye.
The club rued its third quarter against the Gisborne Giants, one where the Tigers conceded six goals to two in a 15-point loss, despite whittling the margin down to two goals during the last term.
Romsey FNC
What’s Gone Right?
Plenty to like about the Redbacks on the field at the moment as they sit just percentage behind Kyneton, who lie third, despite sitting sixth.
The club’s two blemishes have come to ladder-leader Diggers Rest and Wallan, the latter a game the Redbacks led during the final term.
Jack Jedwab has been the main avenue to goal, sitting seventh on the goalkicking table with 19 goals. Jedwab has also been named in the best on four occasions for the Redbacks, as has playing-coach Nathan Blair.
From a netball perspective, Romsey sit seventh but are just four premiership points away from the top four with three wins.
What Needs Improving?
Not much at all has gone wrong at Romsey on the field, although the period after this bye will be telling, travelling to Kyneton, a trip to Riddell, and a home match against Diggers Rest potentially a make-or-break period for the Redbacks on the football field.
Inaccuracy is a pressing concern, with the Redbacks ranking last in the competition at a rate of 47 per cent, doubtless not helped by a haul of 8.26 against Melton Centrals.
On the netball court, Romsey will be hoping to improve its goalscoring, sitting seventh in the competition for most goals scored, while sitting eighth for most goals conceded.
Wallan FNC
What’s Gone Right?
The Magpies are currently banking wins on the football field to launch a potential assault on the premiership after falling at the last hurdle in 2024.
Wallan sits fourth with a healthy percentage, but welcome leader Diggers Rest to Greenhill this week in what shapes as a huge game for both teams.
With key players Cameron Cloke and Jake Carlisle missing for small portions of the season so far, Matthew Perri has been the main avenue to goal, kicking 22 majors in six games. Cloke, for his part, has 15 in four games, while Chris Stewart has 13 goals in an even Magpies’ forward line.
Victor Micallef has fitted in like a glove since his move from Roxburgh Park, named in the best on four occasions, while Sean Morris has also been in the best four times.
What Needs Improving?
After finishing second last season, Wallan have fallen down to eighth position on the A grade netball ladder at the halfway point but sitting just a game and a half outside the top five, the Magpies will be hoping it can get on a run to break into the top five.
A slow start saw the Magpies lose their first four games of the season but have won two games and drawn another since.
The Magpies have played just three home games so far but will be hoping to improve its record at Greenhill Reserve in both sports, with just one win each.
On the football field, the Magpies were jumped by both Riddell and Melton South, while the netballers were beaten by Riddell and Lancefield.
Northern FNL
Kilmore FNC
What’s Gone Right?
A good start to the season for the Blues’ men’s team saw them win its opening three games on the football field and looked every bit a finals chance.
That included a miracle win over Kinglake, where the Blues came from the clouds to overhaul the Lakers in round three.
After missing the first portion of the season, key recruit Jared Crosbie has been worth the wait, kicking 13 goals in his five games.
Chris Barton has been a standout, named in the best in six of his eight games.
The Blues’ women have been nothing short of outstanding since they made their first appearance in the competition and sit third in division two after earning a promotion from division three thanks to some strong performances.
On the netball court, Kilmore is having a positive season so far across the board, sitting in the top four in division four.
What Needs Improving?
Unfortunately for the Blues’ men, following round four, injuries started to take hold, and left it winless in a four-game run.
Admittedly, a tough draw hasn’t helped, with games against an improving Reservoir away from home, front-runners Fitzroy Stars, Mernda and Epping.
The Blues still need scoring power. It is the second-lowest scoring club of the top eight, only ahead of Mernda with 592 for the season.
Goulburn Valley FL
Seymour FC
What’s Gone Right?
A terrific four-game winning run has vaulted Seymour into finals contention.
Thrilling wins against Shepparton United, as well as taking four points away from Deakin Reserve against Shepparton, have been highlights of the Lions’ season so far.
Nathan Fowler and Jack Murphy have been the go-to guys inside 50 for the Lions, kicking 13 goals apiece.
Murphy has also been named in the best on five occasions.
What Needs Improving?
Its four-game winning streak was needed after the Lions dropped the first three games of its season.
Although there was a clear gulf between the top five and the rest in the early part of the season, that has closed up significantly in recent weeks.
Losses to Rochester, Shepparton Swans and Mansfield set the Lions back, but it was a loss to ninth-placed Mooroopna which has been the biggest setback for the Lions so far.
