Sports
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Sizeable losses for Riddell, Kyneton
Home ground advantage did nothing to help Riddell and Kyneton as both suffered sizeable football defeats in RDFNL round 16 matches on Saturday. The Bombers expected to bounce back hard after an upset loss to Gisborne Giants a week earlier, but a promising start gradually fizzled out as ladder leader Diggers Rest surged ahead to…
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Hawks back on top
Woodend-Hesket, winner of the last three Riddell League A-grade netball premierships, finds itself back on top of the ladder with two rounds to go before the finals. What an intriguing home and away season 2026 has been, with several teams certainly in contention if they produce their best form in the finals. The Hawks predictably…
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Wedgies play for BCNA
The Wedge-Tailed Eagles hosted Pink Round at Woodend Racecourse Reserve on Sunday, taking on reigning premiers Castlemaine in a hard-fought contest while raising funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia. With a finals chance still in sight, the Wedgies came out firing despite challenging windy conditions. Co-captains Teagan Ainslie and Ayesha Nicholson were influential through the…
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Tigers win back-to-back
Kyneton’s FIDA football team has claimed back-to-back premierships after producing a determined 24-point victory over the previously undefeated Sunbury Kangaroos at the Showgrounds on Sunday. The Tigers entered the grand final as underdogs against a Kangaroos side that had not lost a game all season, but rose to the occasion with a disciplined team performance…
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Giants dethrone premiers
Inspired by an eight-goal haul from captain Brad Mangan, Gisborne Giants toppled reigning premiers Riddell by 16 points on Saturday. It was the most significant victory by the Giants since they entered senior RDFNL ranks last season, and augurs well for the club’s future. Round 15 was the most dramatic for 2026 as far as…
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Riddell by four goals
Versatility across the court was important as Riddell A-grade netballers won a crucial match against Gisborne Giants on Saturday. The Bombers prevailed 42-38 to consolidate in fourth place, with the Giants sliding to fifth. Brianna De Haas turned in one of her top games, and Riddell had four different goal scorers, while the Giants relied…
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Kyneton FIDA Tigers chasing back-to-back
Kyneton’s FIDA football team will run out for an historic second consecutive Grand Final this Sunday (July 26), looking to defend the premiership they won in stunning fashion last year. The Tigers meet Sunbury at Kyneton Showgrounds, first bounce at 11:30am, in the 2026 FIDA Grand Final. Last year’s flag ended a long wait for…
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New chapter for Gisborne FNC
“Now, we’re excited to begin an exciting new chapter in the Ballarat Football Netball League.” This was Gisborne Football Netball Club’s reaction to AFL Victoria approving the Bulldogs’ application to switch from Bendigo League to Ballarat League, from the beginning of the 2027 season. Last week’s Express reported the Bendigo FNL had approved Gisborne’s transfer, and AFL…
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Riddell District Football Netball League stresses zero tolerance
With an eye on finals coming up for plenty of teams, the Riddell District Football Netball League has emphasised it has a zero tolerance policy towards poor behaviour. “We are asking all clubs to speak to their players and let them know that umpires will be cracking down on dissent and will be awarding 50-metre…
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Cats claim a big scalp
Macedon senior footballers dug deep under pressure to beat highly rated Diggers Rest by a goal with a resurgence last quarter at Tony Clarke Reserve on Saturday. The victory was one of the best by the Cats in recent years as they swamped the visitors by outscoring them five goals to one in a pulsating…
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Romsey almost cause boilover
Romsey A-grade netballers may not have had the season they hoped for, but in their round 13 match on Saturday, they almost put a huge dent in Kyneton’s bid to play finals. Only four matches were played, and the Romsey versus Kyneton encounter was a thriller. The outcome was a 42-42 tie, with both sides…
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BFNL approves Gisborne FNC transfer
The Bendigo Football Netball League Board has formally approved the application of the Gisborne Football Netball Club to transfer to the Ballarat Football Netball League, effective from the 2027 season. The decision marks the conclusion of a lengthy process and allows both the league and the club to move forward with certainty following extensive discussions…