Scoop' Reviews Round 10
Darley was the only team to win at home in Round Ten of the McDonald’s Ballarat Senior Men’s. After a scare, at the top of the table, Melton and East Point steadied to claim the points, while the Cobras joined three other teams on five wins after downing Sebastopol. North Ballarat resembled more of their best with a commanding win over Melton South.
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Darley
24.18.162
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Def
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Lake Wendouree
8.8.56
The Devils recorded their first four-quarter win of the season with a comprehensive 106-point demolition job over the Lakers.
Spearhead forward Nick Rodda finished with nine goals to move on top of the League goalkicking table. Dan Jordan could have named as many as 15 young Devils players in the best before settling on Joel Cadman, Brett Bewley, Dylan Landt, Jack Bewley, Mitch Ward and, of course, Rodda. A 34-point quarter-time lead for the Devils became 64 at the half and 93 at the final change before 106 at the game’s end.
For the Lakers, there was some resistance from Geelong VFL-listed player Scott Carlin and experienced campaigner Nathan Pring, but the day in essence was all about the Black and White and a much-needed percentage boost that may well play a part come to the business end of the season.
Darley meets North Ballarat on Saturday as both sides aim for a second win against top-six opposition - the two teams are currently locked together on five wins, separated by a mere 0.1%. The Lakers will need to show more on the road when they meet Bacchus Marsh at Maddingley Park.
What the coaches said…
JORDAN (DARLEY):Our boys responded well around the contest. We had a good spread of contributors today.
FITZPATRICK (LAKERS):The way Darley used the ball was as good as any side we've played this year. Unfortunately, we couldn't put enough pressure on them, and they were able to cut through us like a hot knife through butter.
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North Ballarat
18.17.125
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Def
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Melton South
6.6.42
North Ballarat kicked 16 goals to three after quarter-time, earning the plaudits of both coaches on their way to an 83-point win on the road. The Panthers led at the first break but were no match for the intensity and pressure of the 2021 Minor Premiers.
Dangerous North Ballarat mobile forward Jack Riding was on fire booting six goals to claim best on-ground honours ahead of Collingwood VFL listed utility Sam Glover. The experienced 'big and small' duo of Cam McCallum and Tim Spiers made significant contributions for the winners alongside the Loader boys, Harry and Fletcher. While it's back to the drawing board for Heath Pritchard’s Panthers, Brendan McCartney's boys looked primed for a Match of the Round meeting with Darley at Mars Stadium.
Pritchard must be scratching his head, frustrated with his club's 0-6 home record heading into their bye in Round 11. One positive to be drawn for the losing side is the run of good form from trio John Kovarik, and youngsters Jarrod Bibby and Riley Theo. Panthers captain Shaun Wyatt and progressive type Mitch Fino were sound on an otherwise disappointing day for the navy blue and white.
What the coaches said…
PRITCHARD (MELTON SOUTH):They beat us at the contest. We pride ourselves on our pressure and work rate and today North Ballarat looked back to their best.
McCARTNEY (NORTH BALLARAT):Team effort against really good opposition. Our pressure game was back and they played for each other. A good day’s work.
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Bacchus Marsh
10.7.67
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Def
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Sebastopol
6.9.45
The travelling Cobras kept finals aspirants Sebastopol to just six goals on their way to a morale-boosting 22-point win. The Cobras led at every change, joining three other teams on five wins to keep their Top Six chances alive. Once again Cobras captain Jake Owen played the role of General down back in the absence of key defenders Jack Williams and Jason Robinson. In-form Cobras duo Ryley Stuhldrier and newcomer Sam Crea made it back-to-back solid performances to feature among the better players while small forward Tyler Huynh (three goals) pinched his second haul of multiple goals this year.
At the final change and against the breeze, questions would be asked of the Cobras' defence and their ability to hold out a 12-point advantage. The Cobras passed the test with flying colours, aided by the first use of the ball thanks to Daniel Burton in the ruck. Tyson Shea was prominent in game 251 - conditions suiting the in and under veteran down to the ground.
For the losing side, Jack Bambury, Tony Lockyer and Hugo Papst gave their all but a disappointing six-goal return was never going to be enough.
The 'Burra face an ejection from the Top Six when they meet undefeated Melton on Saturday. Seventh-placed Bacchus Marsh can move as high as fifth if they can get a win over Lake Wendouree on home soil. The Lakers have lost their last eight games on the trot.
What the coaches said…
SEARL (SEBASTOPOL): They were cleaner and brought a high level of intensity in the first quarter. We arm-wrestled the game back in our favour through the middle stages but were outworked again in the last. We have to regroup and go again.
GERMAN (BACCHUS MARSH):We moved the ball really well at times and structured up well, which forced errors on their behalf. Our defence held up well in the last quarter against the wind.
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Melton
15.8.98
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Def
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Redan
13.10.88
In the end, it was the six goals to one scored in the third term by the undefeated Bloods that was enough to warrant a ten-point margin at the final siren.
The plucky Lions were more than competitive for the most part, and coach Jarrett Giampaolo cited the third-quarter collapse as potentially the difference between a win or a loss. Whilst buoyed by the effort, a disappointed Giampaolo said the players are done with ‘honourable losses’.
Redan led the flag favourites by six points at the main break but couldn't maintain their 'better for longer' intensity of play. Bloods coach Aaron Tymms dismissed any suggestion his boys were laboured by the 21-day break. For the winners, Jacob Hickey (three goals), Blake Souter, Harrison Hanley (three goals) and Lachlan Walker were named best, while the Carter brothers Ryan and Liam were held to two goals apiece.
Seasoned Lions Lachie George, Daniel Bond and Liam Hoy featured among the better players in a losing side while goal shark Isaac Grant and experienced forward Grant Bell finished with two goals. The Lions face another footy audit on Saturday when they meet East Point at Eastern Oval.
What the coaches said…
GIAMAPAOLO (REDAN):A valiant effort, but at some point, we need to turn those into wins. I was really proud of the effort and endeavour for the most part, but we just lost composure for five-minute patches, especially in the third quarter against the breeze. You can't let a good side like Melton dictate the game like that. Our young group will take plenty out of it but they're hungry for a win, not just close losses.
TYMMS (MELTON):We certainly didn't play our best football but full credit to Redan, they were very good. They brought the heat and used the ball really well. I liked their game.
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East Point
12.15.87
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Def
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Sunbury
11.8.74
Second-placed East Point managed to overcome a spirited Sunbury with a come-from-behind 13-point win at the weekend.
The Lions led at every change but couldn't hold on when it mattered most - the final siren. Coach Travis Hodgson had his boys ready to play early as they opened up a 29-point quarter-time lead. Essendon VFL listed Lions forward Jake Sutton starred with eight goals and very nearly landed the upset of the round.
At the other end, Kangas leading goalkicker Jordy Johnston had his first human day on the footy field for some weeks, held to one goal and four behinds by Willy Wright with aerial support from Tyson Lever. Despite the loss, it was just the second time the Lions have finished with more than 68 points for the year.
So, who led the charge for the reigning dual Premiers as they march back from obscurity? Try the highly talented midfield trio of Mickitja Rotumah-Onus, Matty Johnston and Jackson Merrett, alongside returning duo Dallas Martin and Aiden Nestor. Bryson McDougall (three goals) and Jack Jeffrey (two goals) hit the scoreboard. Sunbury will be hoping for a similar start against Ballarat on Saturday who return off the bye.
What the coaches said…
HODGSON (SUNBURY):A pretty good performance. Unfortunately, our inability to capitalise on a good half-time lead means we go home without the 4 points again. Was pleasing that we were able to respond from our worst performance [in Round Nine] with our best [in Round Ten].
BRIDGES (EAST POINT):We stayed in the game for long enough, went to work and executed when we needed to... a great response after half-time.
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