North Ballarat City Football Club was the biggest winner, taking home the seniors and under-18.5 premierships for the second year in a row. 

The seniors won 20.17 (137) to underdog Ballarat Swans’ 12.12 (84), sweeping them away in the second half. 

But BFNL operations manager Aaron Nunn nominated Melton’s A-grade netball win as one of the moments of the day.

“There were lots of highlights, I’d probably go for Melton taking the netball and Sunbury going back-to-back,” he said. 

Sunbury won the reserves netball competition after losing by five points last year. 

Almost all of the matches were tight except for the senior football and netball finals. 

“The games were great. Most were close, and the seniors final was good until half-time,” said Mr Nunn. 

Police reported a quiet day at the ground, with no incidents despite a long day of drinking for many of the spectators, and the celebrations also avoided strife with no incidents reported. 

The crowds were strong throughout the day, topping the 3000 expected for the seniors’ grand final. 

Mr Nunn said ticket sales were “just short of the record”. 

People were keen to see the action, all through the day, Mr Nunn said. 

“There was a good crowd for the under-18s, reserves and netball as well,” he said. 

The sun stayed out almost all day, making it feel much warmer than the 15 degree high registered. 

It disappeared (along with the Swans run) after half-time, and only peeked its head again during the final minutes of the match, but was not enough to improve the ‘feels like’ temperature that had plummeted to below 10 degrees.

alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au