Dandenong Stingrays 8.7 (55)
Geelong Falcons 17.12 (114)

Dandenong goals: A. Wilson 4, T. Joyce, T. Lamb, J. Tomkins, B. Dale.
Geelong goals: P. McCartin 3, J. Nelson 2, A. Christensen 2, R. Mathieson 2, B. McCarthy, T. Miles, D. Parish, D. Hodge, N. Dixon, P. Bright, M. Augerinos, C. Curnow.
Dandenong best: R. Fischer, K. Collins, B. Mullane, A. Wilson, H. Prior, D. Kempster
Geelong best: T. Miles, L. Melican, H. Goddard, N. Dixon, D. Parish, R. Mathieson

Geelong Falcons secured third spot with a comfortable 59-point win over the Dandenong Stingrays who were consequently knocked out of the top four due to the loss. Aaron Wilson booted half of the Stingrays goals, but the Falcons had 12 individual scorers and looked far more dangerous around the field. Teia Miles continued his fantastic form while Darcy Parish and Rhys Mathieson again showed what they will offer next season. For Dandenong they need to regroup to face the Western Jets in the Elimination Final while the Falcons face Oakleigh.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:
5 – Teia Miles (Geelong Falcons)
4 – Darcy Parish (Geelong Falcons)
3 – Patrick McCartin (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Nick Dixon (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Rhys Mathieson (Geelong Falcons)

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Northern Knights 10.12 (72)
Calder Cannons 14.10 (94)

Northern goals: R. McKenzie 3, J. Short 2, S. Switkowski 2, C. McCabe, K. Malone, K. Langford.
Calder goals: J. Foster 6, P. Wright 4, H. Kerbatieh, T. Donoghue, J. Cauchi, P. Ahern.
Northern best: K. Langford, S. Switkowski, J. Short, J. Iacobaccio, J. Gresham, J. Perry
Calder best: P. Wright, J. Foster, M. Kovacevic, R. O’Brien, T. Donoghue, J. Latham

Calder Cannons secured top spot with a comfortable 22-point win over the Northern Knights, ensuring the Knights’ season ended with a loss. Jayden Foster and Reece McKenzie were the ones in the spotlight fighting out the leading goal kicker award. It ended up with Foster who booted six goals to three. Peter Wright was sensational with four goals as the dangerous forward line was on show. Kyle Langford and Sam Swikowski were impressive for the losers, but it wasn’t enough because the Calder talls were too good. Calder face North Ballarat in the Qualifying Final this week.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:
5 – Peter Wright (Calder Cannons)
4 – Jayden Foster (Calder Cannons)
3 – Kyle Langford (Northern Knights)
2 – Reece McKenzie (Northern Knights)
1 – Mark Kovacevic (Calder Cannons)

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Bendigo Pioneers 7.10 (52)
Murray Bushrangers 9.13 (67)

Bendigo goals: J. Mangan 2, L. Coates, J. Maher, S. Simmons, J. Ryan, B. Evans.
Murray goals: C. Crisp 2, J. Simpkin 2, B. Pritchard, J. Schache, N. Mellington, N. Drummond, J. Marshall.
Bendigo best: L. Barrett, M. Pickering, H. Conway, B. Evans, J. Moorhead, J. Ryan
Murray best: N. Drummond, T. Holman, N. Mellington, J. Simpkin, B. Hodgson, C. Brown

The Bendigo Pioneers returned for their third home match in a row in desperate need of a victory to close out what has been another forgettable season and take some confidence into the 2015 campaign.  Their opponents Murray Bushrangers had already locked in eighth position on the ladder and a guaranteed finals berth, but were also looking for a confidence boosting win to head into what will be a difficult finals series.

For the Pioneers, the early signs were promising in a tight affair as both teams went goal for goal in the first half. With Bendigo fighting to an eight-point quarter time lead thanks to an impressive start from Harry Conway proving plenty of run and carry off half back. Early second term goals from Nathan Drummond and Joshua Schache gave the visitors the lead for the first time in a match that looked certain to go down to the wire.

Cameron Barrett and Matthew Pickering were outstanding for the Pioneers during the third quarter, keeping their side in the contest with 30 and 25 disposals respectively with only two points separated the sides heading into the final term. The Bushrangers wrestled the lead back thanks to some inspiring play from Nicholas Mellington and from there, The visitors gained plenty of the footy but could not make the most of their opportunities to put the game beyond Bendigo’s reach kicking two goals and eight behinds. At the other end of the field, scoring was tough as the Pioneers only managed one goal, handing the Murray Bushrangers a five-point victory.

BFGN Rising Stars medal:

5 – Nathan Drummond (Murray Bushrangers)
4 – Nicholas Mellington (Murray Bushrangers)
3 – Matthew Pickering (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Cameron Barrett (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Jy Simpkin (Murray Bushrangers)

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North Ballarat Rebels 8.2 (50)
Oakleigh Chargers 5.18 (48)

North Ballarat goals: J. Wheelahan 2, J. Palmer 2, O. McDonald, J. Neville, Y. Eades, M. Johnston.
Oakleigh goals: D. Moore, J. Sinclair, B. Crocker, J. De Goey, A. Urban.
North Ballarat best: O. McDonald, M. Johnston, T. Templeton, J. Palmer, S. Bennett, J. O”Beirne
Oakleigh best: D. McKenzie, A. Urban, H. Beasley, T. McLean, K. Answerth, D. Moore

The North Ballarat Rebels gained a top four spot with a narrow two-point win over the Oakleigh Chargers. In a low scoring affair, the Rebels were incredibly accurate having just 10 scoring shots to a mammoth 23 but getting the job done. On the other hand, Oakleigh were terrible in front of goal and will need to address that ahead of their Qualifying Final against Geelong. Oscar McDonald was again the best and pushed his finals credentials while Hugh Beasley was a shining light off half back and Toby McLean exciting up forward. North Ballarat now face Calder in the Qualifying Final while Oakleigh meet Geelong.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:
5 – Oscar McDonald (North Ballarat Rebels)
4 – Michael Johnston (North Ballarat Rebels)
3 – Hugh Beasley (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Kade Answerth (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Toby McLean (Oakleigh Chargers)

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Gippsland Power 16.7 (103)
Western Jets 15.11 (101)

Gippsland goals: T. Papley 3, J. Dunkley 3, S. Skinner 2, J. Patullo 2, D. Keilty 2, N. Holmes 2, N. Argento, J. Cunico.
Western goals: B. Payne 2, C. Holdsworth 2, L. Duggan 2, M. Palma 2, J. Hickey, B. Malual, J. Viola, D. Dawam, B. Monk, M. Orr, J. Laverde.
Gippsland best: J. Cunico, A. Carr, L. Nash, D. Keilty, N. Holmes, J. Dunkley
Western best: L. Duggan, M. Palma, C. Menadue, C. Holdsworth, B. Payne, B. Monk

Gippsland Power might not have had a great season but they finished on a win with an impressive two-point victory over the top-four bound Western Jets. The loss meant the Jets dropped out of the top four and now face Dandenong in a do-or-die Elimination Final. Josh Dunkley was everywhere but it was Jordon Cunico who further pushed his case as one of the game’s best small forwards with plenty of the ball to go with a goal. For Western, the usual suspects were impressive and Liam Duggan led the way.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:
5 – Jordan Cunico (Gippsland Power)
4 – Liam Nash (Gippsland Power)
3 – Liam Duggan (Western Jets)
2 – Nash Holmes (Gippsland Power)
1 – Mitchell Palma (Western Jets)

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Sandringham Dragons 11.6 (72)
Eastern Ranges 11.5 (71)

Sandringham goals: A. Brayshaw 3, J. Clayton 3, B. Maynard 2, T. Wilkinson, H. Witts, T. Roos.
Eastern goals: C. Jones 2, A. Cotte 2, D. Crocker 2, C. Petracca 2, B. Hardwick, R. Sheridan-Ferrie, R. Harvey.
Sandringham best: A. Brayshaw, J. Clayton, W. Fordham, T. Wilkinson, J. Bazzani, T. Roos
Eastern best: C. Petracca, L. Hannon, B. Mitchener, C. Jones, M. Traynor, D. Crocker

Sandringham Dragons managed to get over the line by one point to knock the Eastern Ranges out of the finals. Angus Brayshaw and Josh Clayton both booted three goals while William Fordham and Tom Wilkinson were also impressive. Like a number of games this season, Christian Petracca stood out again but too few others managed to contribute. Now Sandringham face the Murray Bushrangers in the first final while Eastern Ranges go into the off-season unable to defend their 2013 title.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:
5 – Angus Brayshaw (Sandringham Dragons)
4 – William Fordham (Sandringham Dragons)
3 – Christian Petracca (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Josh Clayton (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Tom Wilkinson (Sandringham Dragons)