The top of the table is tighter than ever after a number of enthralling results over the weekend.
Scoop reviews all the big games from Round 10.
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Lake Wendouree
8.3.51
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def. by
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North Ballarat
18.11.119
North Ballarat head into their Round 11 bye as the form team of the competition following a fifth straight win, after defeating Lake Wendouree at the weekend.
Brendan McCartney’s men have stormed into third placing on the BFNL ladder, just one game shy of ladder leaders Melton.
The impressive Roosters have won 18 of their last 20 quarters, averaging 122 points per game during this period, including wins over Sebastopol (2nd) and Darley (4th) whilst conceding less than 39 points per game.
It's an ominous warning for the broader competition as North Ballarat boast one of the more heathier lists at the halfway mark.
The thought of Jamie Quick (Geelong VFL), Josh Chatfield (Footscray VFL), Jack Riding (Werribee VFL), Stewart Crameri and Tom Hotchin potentially forward on any given day rings alarm bells that McCartney's boys are on the cusp.
Throw Riley Polkinghorne, Cam McCullum, Simon McCartin, the Loader boys, Isaac Lovison, progressive youngsters Nelson Troon, Joshua Sparkman and returning Ryan Hobbs in for measure and you've a bona fide flag contender.
Apologies to the handful not mentioned, for they would walk into most other teams.
This Round 10 meet was over at half time as the inform Roosters led by 55 points. Credit to the Lakers for minimising the damage after half-time restricting the visitors to six second half goals while posting four of their own.
Nelson Troon was named best for the winners ahead of Jack Riding and Riley Polkinghorne. The Lakers gave Captain Joel O'Connell the nod ahead of Bayley Thompson (two goals) and bonus new recruit Felix Fogarty.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Riley Polkinghorne (North Ballarat): 28 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 14 tackles
Jack Riding (North Ballarat): 37 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 9 score involements
Angus Gove (Lake Wendouree): 27 disposals, 17 rebound 50s, 10 intercept possessions
COACHES’ VERDICT
Tim Shearer (Lake Wendouree):"We were keen to match 'North' in the contest and felt we did a pretty good job for most of the game. They got us on the outside for a while in the second quarter, but we felt we fought it out pretty well after the break."
Brendan McCartney (North Ballarat):"Lakers were very honest and kept at us all day. Good result for us after five good weeks of footy. Players and staff have done a great job maintaining high standards of performance. Ready for a week off (now)."
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Bacchus Marsh
8.7.55
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def. by
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East Point
14.14.98
The Cobras’ two game winning streak came to an abrupt end going down to finals contender East Point by 43 points at the weekend.
Despite a goalless second term the spritely Kangas assumed control with 11 goals to five after half time to consolidate their position inside the top six, percentage shy of fifth placed Sunbury on five wins.
It felt inevitable, dangerous duo Kangas Bryce McDougall (three goals) and Brad Whittacker (four goals) were always going to have a lasting impact at some stage and they didn't let playing coach Jackson Merrett down.
Star playmaker Jordy Johnston and busy small Joe Dodd were the driving force behind the Kangas 'shifting of the gears' after half time, equating to some much-deserved separation on the scoreboard at games end.
While the four premiership points on the road were invaluable for the Kangas, life at Cobra land continues in the learning phase for an otherwise inexperienced group.
The home side were well served by the top end talent of Luke Goetz, Jake McCreery and Tyson Shea. Youngster Bryce Kerney did his job forward of centre to finish with three goals. Cobras co-captain Jack Parente and speedster Ashton Craig continued their recent block of good form despite the loss.
Next up post the interleague weekend, both sides are on the road. The Cobras are off to Ballarat while East Point make the trek to for an all-important meeting with Sunbury.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Joe Dodd (East Point): 39 disposals, 24 contested possessions, 11 score involvements
Jordan Johnston (East Point): 34 disposals, 11 inside 50s, 10 marks
Jake McCreery (Bacchus Marsh): 35 disposals, 12 tackles, 12 clearances
COACHES’ VERDICT
Jason Williams (Bacchus Marsh):"Our boys started slowly and were unable to retain the footy but were better in the second quarter holding East Point goalless. Unfortunately, we were expecting too much from too few after half time. Credit to East Point they were pretty good inside the contest and equally as good on the outside."
Jackson Merrett (East Point):"After a disappointing first half, our resolve to come out with a couple soldiers down was really pleasing. We had the game on our terms after half time and go into the bye happy with how our young fellas are going."
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Melton
22.15.147
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def.
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Ballarat
3.8.26
Reigning premiers Melton were merciless off their 21-day break dishing out a 121-point thrashing of Ballarat on MacPherson Park.
The Bloods piled on 12 goals in the first half and 10 in the second to finish with seven multiple goal scorers on a day that welcomed back Jack Walker, Lachie Watkins and, for their first games, key big man Brenton Payne (four goals) and North Melbourne VFL listed star Jack Watkins.
Leading forward Ryan Carter matched Payne to share a game high four goal return while Ryan Davis, Luke Heeney and Braedyn Kight finished with three.
While it's unlikely Aaron Tymms' group will see much of Payne or Watkins moving forward it gave us enough sample size of what to expect in the event of a reoccurrence.
The Bloods were able to get it done without Liam Carter (calf), Brett McIntyre (foot), Brady Rowles (bursitis) and Adrian Monitto.
On the flipside, Swans’ coach Chris Maple made no excuse for the failings of his young group's footy audit. While they were never expected to win, a showing of much greater resistance would've been the minimum.
The day was dominated by the maroon and white with a genuine team effort. For the visitors however, impactful contributions were slim.
Marcus Powling, Ben Wardley. Zach Maple and Andrew Hooper (two goals) had ‘pride in the jumper performances’ on an otherwise "disappointing day" for the Swans.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Jordyn Cotter (Melton): 36 disposals, 13 marks, 11 intercept possessions
Jack Watkins (Melton): 40 disposals, 25 contested possessions, 9 clearances
William Liston (Ballarat): 35 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 11 tackles
COACHES’ VERDICT
Aaron Tymms (Melton): "Happy with the result but more pleased with how sharp we were executing our game plan in trying conditions. A real solid effort across the board for us."
Chris Maple (Ballarat):"A very disappointing day for our club. Melton played an exceptional brand of football and outplayed us in all facets of the game. Young teams have highs (last week) and lows (this week). The gap needs to reduce considerably."
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Darley
11.13.79
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def. by
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Redan
15.7.97
Darley have slipped to fourth place on the BFNL table after Redan pulled off a remarkable 18-point victory over the Devils.
The highly anticipated return to Darley Park ended in a 'fizzer' for Dan Jordan's men, culminating in a second straight loss.
The Devils had few winners on the ground, winning just one quarter for the match resembling a shell of the team that went 7-0 to start the season.
For the record, since the Melton game in Round 8, Darley has won just one of eight quarters. You can theorise reason all you like, but the reality is the Devils are simply not coping without key personnel.
Nonetheless, Redan weren't shy on a number of absentees of their own with Saturday's outcome to tell a story of depth comparison between the two clubs.
All honours with Redan seizing the moment. Their ability to outwork and outnumber the Devils both inside the contest and out was a recurring theme for the afternoon.
As a result, the Lions were cleaner extracting from stoppage, allowing more effective ball movement on the outside, placing the once ladder leaders on the back foot.
The Lions had many winners on the day, arguably seven of the best 10 players on the ground.
The hierarchy at Redan settled on Izaac Grant, Jacob Short, Jacob Werts and Declan Phillps as the pick of a genuine team effort boasting nine individual goal kickers.
For the Devils, Brett Bewley, Riley Matricardi (two goals) and Will Johnston (four goals) were the standouts on their return home. More broadly however, for the second game in a row, the Devils’ skill level hovers in the 'poor' region.
While Redan couldn't break back into the six with the win, they remain in touch and should not fear anyone moving forward with Lachie George, Liam Hoy and Lachie McLean yet to return.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Jacob Short (Redan): 24 disposals, 13 rebound 50s, 7 intercept possessions
Izaac Grant (Redan): 23 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 6 score involements
Brett Bewley (Darley): 42 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 15 clearances
COACHES’ VERDICT
Craig Baker (Darley Football Manager):"Our skills have been poor over the last fortnight. Our inability to find a target though the middle of the ground cost us. We got within a goal in the third (quarter), but they were always able to reply. Redan have some really good young talent and thoroughly deserved the win."
Gary Learmonth (Redan):"We competed really well for four quarters and really pleased with our spread of goalkickers and our our ability to respond when the Devils were able to kick a goal. (We) understand the Devils had a few out but Lachie George, Liam Hoy, Lachie McLean etc will make us better."
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Sebastopol
12.15.87
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Sunbury
9.6.60
Sebastopol shrugged off an undermanned Sunbury in the second half to win well by 27 points at Marty Busch Reserve.
In fairness to the Burra an untimely wedding saw them a handful shy of their best 22, while the visitors misfortunes were put down to injury with up to six or seven missing.
Burras quartet Tony Lockyer, James Keeble, Ryan Noether and Grady Snowden all missed, but the outs for Sunbury proved too much to overcome.
Absentees for the Lions included Mitch Lewis, Tyson Lever, Nick Hannett, James Cree, Nathan Wood, Joel Muir, Leigh Brennan, Rivva Karpany and Lachie Urban. Anyway, enough of the 'have nots'.
Sunbury started well into the breeze to be within three points at quarter time but failed to flatter with it, trailing even further, albeit just 11 points at half-time.
You can't take anything for granted against the frugal natured Burra defence, even without some key personal, and didn't they respond for coaching duo Luke Kiel and Michael Columbro.
The Burra extended the advantage to 35 points at the final change and would ask too much of the Lions list to overcome. Travis Hodgson's men were 'ok' adding three final quarter goals but conceded two in the process. Game over. Harry Minton-Connell was named best for the losing team ahead of Jake Egan and Cody Brand.
For the winners, Toby Hutt (three goals), Riley O'Keefe and Jack Bambury took individual honours while on the goal front Hugo Papst, Liam Latch and Adam Forbes aided scoreboard separation with two goals each.
Both sides face top six opposition in Round 11 - Sebastopol are on the road to Darley (4th) and Sunbury hosts East Point (6th).
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Arnold Kirby (Sebastopol): 53 hitouts, 18 disposals, 14 contested possessions
Liam Latch (Sebastopol): 33 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 7 pressure acts
Joshua Guthrie (Sunbury): 34 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 10 clearances
COACHES’ VERDICT
Luke Kiel/Michael Columbro (Sebastopol):"Took us 15 minutes to find our feet. We thought both teams played their best footy into the breeze in the first half. We were able to get on top after quarter time but failed to capitilise on our scoring shots."
Travis Hodgson (Sunbury):"Thought we started well against the wind, leading at quarter time and played our way for big patches of the game. Our opportunity to stamp some authority would have been the second quarter to the scoring end but we were substantially outplayed. The better side won and won well."
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