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Written by Super User on . Posted in Team Pages.

East Point FNC

  • Club Notes:

    Melton vs East Point - MATCH PREVIEW

    QUALIFYING FINAL - SATURDAY AUGUST 31ST - 2.15PM @ DARLEY PARK

    - BFNL MATCH OF THE ROUND LIVE VISION WITH FULL COMMENTARY 2PM VIA BFNL MATCH CENTRE -

    Last time they met - Melton 78 def. by East Point 83 (MacPherson Park, Round 6 2024)

    We've waited 105 days for this rematch, and it comes in the form of a mouthwatering qualifying final - can't wait!

    Round 6 is a far cry from the hustle, bustle and pressure of a final but in fairness, May 18th went pretty close!

    What an outstanding home and away season for these two, losing just three games between them.

    The Kangas could find themselves a little stiff not to finish top with just the two losses but that is the current landscape when the Bloods are involved.

    Despite finishing second, the Kangas have plenty of upside heading into this bout having beaten the Bloods the last two times including a semi final win last year.

    While both of those wins came away from Eastern Oval, Darley Park looms as an undeniable variable for mine to overcome.

    East Point have not won at Darley Park for 10 years, that worries me.

    If this game were in Ballarat, I would be tipping the Kangas but something tells me the ground and conditions will suit Troy Scoble's planning - he knows the ground so well.

    Call it due diligence ahead of time but I guarantee you - observations duly noted.

    Even Joe Carmody, a longtime player in the BFNL could barely recall any success at the venue!

    But if there was ever a group to break the run of outs for the Kangas at Darley Park, it's this one against the Bloods.

    Melton are gettable - the Kangas’ best is arguably better. But can they produce in the white shorts against the season benchmark.

    The Bloods, it seems, have been waiting for this day for a while now and I’m not talking weeks, rather 11 months for another crack at a flag that has previously gone awry.

    At least Scoble conceded they weren't the best team in it last year, but something tells me that opinion has changed.

    The buy-in from the Bloods group is palpable. While they gave every indication last week, they're gettable, so did East Point! Kudos to Ballarat.

    Holistically, every bit of blood, sweat and tears shed to this point equate to an unmissable qualifying final, spruik as one for the ages.

    As part of the editorial, I’m required to make a choice. I'm leaning to the Bloods but would not be surprised if the Kangas produced the goods following a timely reminder of their mortality last week.

    PLAYER WATCH

    Defenders
    Melton: Adrian Monitto (#45), Riley Walker (#29) and Lachie Phillips (#9) are the genesis in transition for the Bloods. Monitto and Walker especially provide the spread, run, carry and distribution in the absence of Jordy Cotter (#4) and will stretch the ground, making it uncomfortable for the Kangas.

    East Point: Jackson Merrett (#1) and Jacob Brown (#4) are the experience and cornerstone of the Kangas’ defence. Merrett ranks fourth for in the comp uncontested marks, fifth for marks and sixth for effective kicks and tenth for kicks. Merrett is the go-to distributor. Brown, not dissimilar to Merrett ranks third in the comp for effective kicks, fourteenth for kicks, fourth for marks AND intercept marks. What is also worthy of note is Brown ranks twenty-second in the comp for handball receives.  

    Midfielders
    Melton: Jaycob Hickey (#10) averages 27.6 disposals, ranks 9 in the comp for clearances and 11th for goal involvements while (#11) Jack Walker averages 26.6 disposals, ranks 8 for goal assists and 13th for centre clearances.

    East Point: Matty Johnston (#7) ranks third in the comp for disposals (34.1) and contested possessions. Johnston also features in the top 10 for a host of other KPIs and ranks elite in all areas when the Kangas have possession of the ball. Mikitja Rottumah-Onus (#2) ranks among the top 25 in the comp for clearances, contested possessions, handballs, hard ball gets, ground ball gets, goal assists and involvements. 

    Forwards
    Melton: Braedan Kight (#7) is the league’s leading goalkicker with 75. Ryan Carter (#23) is fifth on the goalkicking table with 41.

    East Point: Bryson McDougall (#12) is second in the league for goals with 67. McDougall has taken more marks inside 50 than other player in the BFNL and ranks second for total contested marks. Strahan Robinson (#30) has 31 goals, ranks elite for contested marks and marks inside 50 (10th).

    SCOOP’S TIP
    Melton

East Point FNC

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