BFNL Weekend Preview - Round 9, 2023
After the bye weekend the action is back this Saturday with a number of tantalising contests set to be on display across the competition.
Scoop looks ahead to the Round 9 schedule.
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Bacchus Marsh
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vs
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Melton South
SATURDAY JUNE 17TH - 2.15PM @ MADDINGLEY PARK
Last time they met – Melton South 35 def. by Bacchus Marsh 67 (Melton Recreation Reserve, Round 13 2022)
Expect the Cobras to make it back-to-back wins when they host the struggling Panthers.
The club is hopeful Cobra fans will turn out in large numbers to witness their second win of the season coinciding with their annual "Fight the Beast" MND Fundraiser where a selected group of Cobra faithful take the plunge down the slide into the icy waters below for the worthy cause.
Despite the Cobras one win season to date, new coach Jason Williams has been relatively pleased with the effort of his under manned group for the most part, giving every indication a big win against the Panthers is on the cards.
If the Cobras midfield can get on top of the visitors early, former Captain Jake Owen can look forward to a big day in front of the sticks.
Any returns for the home side from the AFL's Under 18 pathway competition will only make the Panthers task more difficult as they strive for a first loss of the season under 100 points.
Scoop’s tip: Bacchus Marsh
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East Point
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vs
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Lake Wendouree
SATURDAY JUNE 17TH - 2.15PM @ EASTERN OVAL
Last time they met – Lake Wendouree 90 def. by East Point 117
(CE Brown Reserve, Round 16 2022)
Seventh placed East Point must win and win well when they host the Lakers.
While Jackson Merrett's boys are knocking on the door of the top six, they sit two games and another 34% behind the fifth placed side in Sunbury. East Point will be hopeful a win will be enough to replace sixth placed Redan who face a testing meet with Sebastopol.
Given the departure of Lakers’ coach Jack Fitzpatrick last week, history says a spike in effort more often follows from the playing group, eager to impress off a fresh start.
Merrett will be hoping to put this game to bed early and deny the one-win Lakers any momentum. For the longer the Lakers remain in the game, the less percentage gain the dangerous Kangas will accumulate.
While the likely match result will not surprise, it will be the nature of the projected Kangas win that will attract the greatest attention.
Scoop’s tip: East Point
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North Ballarat
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vs
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Darley
SATURDAY JUNE 17TH - 2.15PM @ MARS STADIUM
Last time they met - Darley 100 def. North Ballarat 82
(Darley Park, Round 18 2022)
Despite the Devils’ impressive 7-0 run on the road, this match-up looms just as much a danger game for the ladder leaders as it does the hosts.
The Roosters win/loss record under Brendan McCartney at Mars Stadium sits at 14-3, giving every indication a 15th win would not surprise, with their chances set to be buoyed by the likely return of marquee signing Stewart Crameri from injury.
And, when you consider the potential influence of Werribee VFL listed Jack Riding and current BFNL leading goalkicker Jamie Quick (25 goals) forward of centre, the Roosters pose a real handful.
Furthermore, Dan Jordan's boys will have to be at their best around the coal face denying in-form midfield duo Cam McCullum and Riley Polkinghorne first use out of stoppage. The visitors will be without heart and soul inside mid, Luther Baker (hamstring), and will count on an impact contribution from their promoted soldier.
The contest between two of the more astute operators off field with the magnets could also play a role in the outcome. McCartney and Jordan similarly prefer process over match ups - just who gets it done, a game on their terms for longer will surely earn the four points.
The Devils, led by Brett Bewley, Billy Myers, Matthew Brett and Shane Page, have done everything right thus far but something tells me, this game in particular, they're cherry ripe for the taking.
Scoop’s tip: North Ballarat
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Ballarat
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vs
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Sunbury
SATURDAY JUNE 17TH - 2.15PM @ ALFREDTON OVAL
Last time they met - Ballarat 112 def. Sunbury 76
(Alfredton Oval, Round 17 2022)
League improvers Sunbury will be looking to consolidate their place in the top six with a win on the road over Ballarat.
Sure, they'll have to do it without their Captain Tyson Lever and midfielder Mitch Lewis but you're likely to find nearly all sides are shy of their best 22 with the season eight rounds in.
While experienced Swans forward Andrew Hooper (22 goals) poses the Lions greatest threat causing an upset on the goal front, the visitors seemingly hold the aces covering the former Western Bulldog.
Lions’ trio Jake Sutton (17 goals), Cody Brand (14 goals) and ageless go-to-man Leigh Brennan (10 goals) provide enough spread in the front half getting it done on the scoreboard even if Hooper has his way.
Lions’ newcomers Josiah Garisto, RIvva Karpany and Brand are beginning to gel with their team mates and will continue to build on that synergy into the second half of the season.
An all important sixth win beckons for the Lions who will look to start well having trailed at the half in their previous three games (Redan, Bacchus Marsh, Darley).
Sunbury aside, Saturday provides a young Ballarat outfit with another opportunity to ply their trade under coach Chris Maple with an eye on staying in games for longer.
Sunbury will be stiff opposition and are set to start warm favorites to make it a hattrick of wins ahead of another road trip and tougher assignment against Sebastopol in Round 10.
Scoop’s tip: Sunbury
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Redan
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vs
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Sebastopol
SATURDAY JUNE 17TH - 2.15PM @ CITY OVAL
Last time they met - Redan 35 def. by Sebastopol 87
(City Oval, Round 12 2022)
Redan host Sebastopol in an all-important game as both sides aim to keep the wolves from the door. The Lions cling to sixth place on the BFNL table ahead of East Point, who are knocking, while the Burra aim to stay in touch with the top two.
If Sebastopol are fair dinkum and play to their strengths, they should be too good for Redan despite some genuine resistance in Jarrett Giampaolo's milestone 250th game (Congratulations!).
Again, the Lions will have to sweat on the VFL selections of Cooper Craig Peters (Footscray) and Will Madden (Essendon) and have their fingers crossed on whether crucial mid Lachie George is ready to make a return.
Veteran Liam Hoy will miss again. In a nutshell, the Lions fall shy on experience and polish in the absence of the aforementioned to sway an upset result.
For the Burra, they’ll be seeking to broaden their avenues to goal. Hugo Papst (14 goals) has been a real find hitting the scoreboard in a support role for Toby Hutt (20 goals). Too often, Tony Lockyer (8 goals) is the Burras saving grace at either end. What a player. You wouldn't think eight rounds in only Papst and Hutt have kicked more goals.
Despite having played all bottom four sides (4 wins between them), the Burra rank 5th for shots on goal and the same for points scored despite their #1 ranking for goal accuracy.
Clearly, they remain a work in progress, which is a dangerous thought for the remainder of the competition.
Scoop’s tip: Sebastopol
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Melton
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Bye
