BFNL Weekend Preview - Week 2 Finals, 2023
Buckle in for another mesmerising weekend of finals footy coming up with a Grand Final spot on the line and an all-or-nothing clash at City Oval.
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Darley
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vs
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North Ballarat
SEMI FINAL 2 - SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH
2.15PM @ DARLEY PARK
Last time they met - Darley 71 def. North Ballarat 37 (Darley Park, Round 15 2023)
If North Ballarat have any reservations about travelling to Darley to take on the Devils, adopt the glass half full approach knowing a 10-win season (4th) has eventuated with a double chance and two opportunities to book a place into the BFNL Grand Final at home on Mars Stadium.
So enough of the byplay, time to focus on two of the form teams of the competition.
The two sides share a win and a loss from their earlier meetings in 2023. August 5th, their most recent, where the Devils took care of an undermanned Roosters outfit by 34 points.
On that particular day the Roosters were without Jamie Quick, Jack Riding, Harry Loader, Ryan Hobbs and Reggie Palmer. Saturday will unveil arguably Brendan McCartney's best 22 to greet the paddock this year.
Macca's crew arrives with seven wins from their last 10 games but their one win (over Darley) from five games involving the remaining three sides alive in the BFNL race is cause for concern.
Class will not be a problem for the Roosters who are likely to see Sam Glover (Collingwood VFL) and Brock Leonard return from their 17-point win over Redan in the Elimination Final at the expense of veteran Clay Jenkins (knee) and one other (unlucky).
For the record Glover, Quick and Riding have only featured twice in the same team this year for a win and a loss.
Quick, among a handful of Roosters, looks a priority concern for Dan Jordan's Devils given the illusive forward is yet to be held goalless at BFNL level this year.
Throw Stewart Crameri, big man Cal McCullum, Riley Polkinghorne, Tom Bromley Lynch and key posts Hobbs, Harry Loader and Isaac Lovvison into the mix and it's quite easy to make a case for North Ballarat.
Now Darley.
Their obvious toped talent led by Brett Bewley and Billy Myers are in form. The second tier who would welcome being acknowledged as such is growing in numbers by the week as more and more Devils put their hand up to be a part of something special. Dan Jordan's men have won their last eight games on the trot including wins over Melton (twice), North Ballarat and Sebastopol.
While the frugal, well organised nature of the Roosters defence has been broadly acknowledged, the Devils’ defence are sneaking under the radar averaging just 52 points against for their last eight games compared to North Ballarat's 60.5.
There is an advantage to the Devils for scoring (94 average points per game) over the period (Melton South game removed) compared to North Ballarat's 72 avg ppg.
BUT, when taken into account the likely changes ahead of Saturday, you'll find there's little between the two sides - on paper anyway.
Scoop’s tip: Darley
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Melton
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vs
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East Point
SEMI FINAL 1 - SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH
2.15PM @ CITY OVAL
Last time they met - Melton 85 def. East Point 39 (MacPherson Park, Round 13 2023)
Reigning premiers Melton will have to take the long road if it's to keep their back-to-back flag chances alive with a win over East Point in Sunday's do-or-die First Semi Final at City Oval.
Aaron Tymms, in his last year at the helm of the Bloods, will aim to keep their undefeated season record against all bar Darley alive, hoping to shut out Jackson Merrett's young group early.
The Kangas have answered the call in recent weeks to keep their premiership chances alive with season saving wins over North Ballarat (Rd18) and Sebastopol last week.
And getting it done without their star playmaker Jordy Johnston against Sebastopol with a broken thumb has to be commended.
Their options forward will give the underdog Kangas enough confidence to go toe-to-toe with the Bloods on the scoring front, matching the reigning premiers with eight players inside the top 50 BFNL goalkickers for the season.
Just who can win the midfield battle and provide the greatest number of opportunities will go a long way to validate the result.
The Bloods will look to correct on its failings to capitalise with the aerial dominance around stoppage of ruckman Ben Archard.
For all of the Essendon VFL listed bagman’s returns last week (+88 in the hitouts), the Bloods’ midfield was soundly beaten equating to a landslide inside 50s deficit against the Devils (41-70).
Jackson Merrett will no doubt look to the replay using the Devils’ returns as a blueprint for his side getting it done.
If JJ can make it back, he, Matty Johnston and Joe Dodd are more than capable of matching it with Bloods trio Jono O'Brien, Jack Walker and Lachie Watkins.
The last time these two sides met in Ballarat, albeit on Eastern Oval, the Kangas fell just eight points shy in their Round 7 meet.
While the Kangas led at half time, it was a five-goals-to-two third term that swung momentum back in the Bloods’ favour.
Beating the Bloods is all about playing the minutes, and those minutes well. A lapse as small as the Kangas’ third quarter doings in Round 7 is all that it will take for the Bloods to progress into a preliminary final.
Last week's loss for the Bloods was another reminder they need to find another gear, for the now is shy of their best.
Time to stand up with an emphatic response, call it a rare ‘backs to the wall challenge’ as the no fear Kangas will fancy their own chances despite a third week in a row as pronounced underdogs.
Scoop’s tip: Melton
