The Weekly Wrap | The off field headlines continued to dominate around Victorian country football this week, with several major developments both on and off the field.

After more than 12 months of uncertainty, Gisborne FNC has officially been granted permission by AFL Victoria to return to the Ballarat FNL from the 2027 season. The Bulldogs' application was rejected last year despite receiving strong support from Ballarat FNL clubs, but AFL Victoria has now signed off on the move, bringing an end to one of country football's longest running transfer sagas.

The Mid Gippsland FNL could also have a significant issue on its hands heading towards finals. Meeniyan Dumbalk United FNC has formally requested the premiership points from its earlier season loss to Fish Creek FNC after it was discovered Fish Creek had exceeded the AFL Victoria player points limit for that match. At this stage, no premiership points have been awarded to either club, leaving the result unresolved and potentially creating major ramifications should ladder positions be decided by only a game or percentage.

Across the border in New South Wales, the Hume FNL handed down one of the harshest penalties seen in recent years, suspending Henty FNC player Grady Nigsch for 18 weeks following multiple misconduct charges arising from the July 4 clash with Brock-Burrumbuttock FNC. The suspension automatically triggers a life ban given the total number of weeks.

Despite wintery conditions around parts of the state, scoring exploded again this weekend with another remarkable collection of huge scores and winning margins.

Cowwarr FNC produced the standout performance of the round, kicking an incredible 51.10 (316) against Traralgon Tyers United FNC's 2.2 (14) in the North Gippsland FNL. The 316 point tally is now the second highest score recorded anywhere in Victorian country football this season, while the 30 -point winning margin ranks as the third biggest of 2026. Woorinen FNC also eclipsed the 240 point mark in the Central Murray FNL, defeating Wandella FNC 37.19 (241) to 1.4 (10), with the 231 point margin ranking as the tenth biggest victories of the season.

Outer East FNL Division 1 continued its remarkable season of high scoring, with Yarra Glen FNC booting 37.14 (236) against Powelltown FNC before Alexandra FNC added 33.24 (222) against Yarra Junction FNC. Austin Smith from Yarra Glen FNC continued his stellar season, knocking up a Premier Data record 83 possessions, to go along with four goals for the match.

Barnawartha FNC also joined the 200 point club for the weekend in the Tallangatta & District FNL amassing 35.17 (227) against Thurgoona FNC. At the opposite end of the scoring scale, three clubs failed to register a goal. Natimuk United FNC was held scoreless in the Horsham & District FNL, finishing with 0.0 (0), while Paynesville FNC managed just 0.1 (1) in the East Gippsland FNL. Charlton FNC also struggled in the North Central FNL, restricted to only 0.4 (4) in its match againstSea Lake Nandaly FNL.

Close finishes also provided plenty of drama as Mornington FNC made it back to back one point victories in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean FNL after surviving another thriller. This time poor kicking almost proved costly, but the Bulldogs held on to defeat Devon Meadows FNC 11.16 (82) to 12.9 (81). High in the Upper Murray, Bullioh FNC and Cudgewa FNC were locked together at three quarter time before Bullioh edged home by the narrowest possible margin, 16.13 (109) to 17.6 (108), despite kicking seven more behinds.

Across Victoria, the weekend produced the highest statewide average winning margin recorded this season at 63.13 points per game. The Outer East FNL Division Two again contributed heavily to those numbers, recording an average winning margin of 147 points which is the second highest weekly average produced by any competition during 2026.

Several long winning streaks also came to an end. Bungaree FNC suffered its first defeat of the season in the Central Highlands FNL after twelve consecutive victories, going down in one of the upsets of the year to sixth placed Buninyong FNC by just three points, 15.9 (99) to 14.12 (96). League leaders Bridgewater FNC continued to strengthen its premiership credentials in the Loddon Valley FNL, ending Marong FNC's nine game winning streak with a convincing 16.10 (106) to 9.12 (66) victory.

There were also several streaks of a different kind finally broken. Portarlington FNC's win over Anglesea FNC was its first victory at Anglesea Recreation Reserve in twelve years. The victory also made it four consecutive wins for the Demons — the first time they have achieved that feat since 1994. Whilst in the Ovens & Murray FNL, Corowa Rutherglen FNC celebrated a historic milestone of it’s own by defeating Albury FNC at its home ground for the first time in eighteen years with a 21 point victory.

Several former AFL players again made their mark around the country. Newtown & Chilwell FNC coach Steve Johnson was rewarded for another strong season, re-signing with the Geelong FNL club during the week with the Eagles sitting inside the top three with six rounds remaining. On field, Former Port Adelaide defender Tom Clurey showed he can still find the goals, booting six majors for Katamatite FNC in the Picola & District FNL.

In Ballarat, former Richmond and North Melbourne defender Biggie Nyuon kicked another five goals for Ballarat FNC, taking his season tally beyond fifty, while former St Kilda and Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch also hit the scoreboard and featured among the best players. While ex West Coast Eagle, Coby Burgiel, returned to his home club Maffra FNC in the Gippsland FNL, but despite an encouraging performance, the Eagles fell to Morwell FNC by eight points.

Country football's forwards again enjoyed another outstanding weekend. Keenan Hughes produced one of the individual performances of the season, kicking eighteen goals for Cowwarr FNC to rocket towards the top of the statewide leaderboard.

Barnawartha FNC's Jack Chesser and Lismore Derrinallum FNC's Lachie Constable each finished with sixteen goals, while Josh Hawkins and Jack Jedwab both booted fourteen. Connor Joseph and William Stewart kicked thirteen apiece, with Jack Fenner, Mischa Fraillon, Tom Higgins, Clayton McCartney and Myles Wareham all joining the double figure club from their weekend work in front of the big sticks.A special mention this weekend must go to 14 year old Penshurst FNC footballer Zander Ewing, who announced himself with a remarkable nine goal, best on ground performance in Penshurst's 166 point victory over Ararat Eagles FNC in the Mininera & District FNL.

Another ten players also reached the fifty goal milestone for the season, highlighting just how prolific key forwards have been across Victoria in 2026. Among them were Lachie Constable (59), Max Cahoon (57), Luke Quirk (57), William Stewart (55), Caleb Michie (55), Marcus Darmody (53), Jack Chesser (52), Kyle Graham (51), Biggie Nyuon (51) and Jack Jedwab (50).

At the top of the statewide goal kicking race unless something major happens, we will crown the first century goal kicker for 2026 next weekend. Kiewa Sandy Creek FNC’s Guy Telford ended up just short of the magical century adding another 9 this weekend to finish the round on 98, while Cowwarr FNC's Keenan Hughes surged into second after his eighteen goal haul, now sitting on 95 goals. Bridgewater FNC's Lachie Sharp remains third with 88 goals, followed by Nagambie FNC's Tom Barnes on 86. Dartmoor FNC's Christian Howlett rounds out the top five with 84 goals, just ahead of Carisbrook FNC's Tim Rinaldi on 83.

With several competitions now entering the final month of the home and away season, ladder positions continue to tighten as we get close to the first finals taking place.