Scoop' Reviews Round 6

The Bloods firm as flag favourites, Darley jumped into second on the ladder, the Panthers just hung on, East Point's season continues to build, and Sunbury claimed their first win for season 2022.

The Bloods (if they weren't already) will carry the 'flag favourites’ tag for the remainder of the 2022 season following their 68-point demolition job over North Ballarat. Dynamic forward duo Ryan Carter (5 goals) and Braedyn Kight (4 goals) proved an afternoon nightmare for the Roosters who were outscored sixteen goals to five after quarter time. In-form support crew Brett McIntyre and Blake Souter were again at the forefront in a game Bloods coach Aaron Tymms labelled a "great game to watch”. Both coaches agreed the relentless Bloods pressure was the difference.

Despite losing their third game in four weeks it wasn't all bad for the Roosters according to Coach Brendan McCartney. "We aren't playing our best footy, but we showed some glimpses today," he said.

The Roosters - recently considered a 'soldier out, soldier in' outfit - appear shaky, and look far from the daunting prospect of 2021 without Josh Chatfield (Footscray VFL), Thomas Hotchin (ACL), Elliott Lamb (foot) and Jack Riding (general soreness). While Maccas boys are perceived to be an even bunch that bat deep, clearly the absence of a select few has been significant.

The efforts of Brock Leonard and Tom Bromley-Lynch were recognised in defeat, but this day simply belonged to the Bloods. The frightening reality for the rest of the competition is the Bloods are expected to improve in the second half of the season. Hard to beat.        

Melton South hung on to beat a fast-finishing Bacchus Marsh in a thriller at Maddingley Park. The Panthers led by 29 points at the final change before the Cobras kicked the last five goals of the game. Scoreboard aside, given the nature of what transpired, a Cobras win would have been daylight robbery.

The Panthers by and large deserved the points and exposed the Cobras with their dare, spread and leg speed to lead at every change, despite the absence of star forward Dylan Conway (illness). Will Thornton-Gielen (5 goals) assumed the responsibility hitting the scoreboard in the absence of Conway and was the beneficiary of impressive contributions from Shaun Wyatt, Jake Thornton-Gielen, Cody Chapman, Mitch Fino and Billy Lloyd. Brody Sullivan's two first-half goals were quality amid periods of an old-fashioned scrap.

The Panthers are to be commended for taking on the game, denying the Cobras the game on their own terms despite the ongoing presence of dangerous trio Jake Owen (3 goals), Rex Hickman (4 goals) and Daniel Burton.

It's ironic, that four of the last five Panthers wins (over the last two seasons) have been against Sunbury (twice) and Bacchus Marsh (twice). Getting it done further west remains the Panthers' Achilles heel (0-15) since 2018. The Cobras face back-to-back highway trips to East Point and North Ballarat. Interesting...

Jake Bridges' East Point are warming into their season nicely with a 32-point win over Ballarat at the weekend. The Kangas won 3.5 quarters and were never really threatened following a 10-goals to six first half and handy 22-point lead. Jordy Johnston (6 goals) and Bryce MacDougall (4 goals) did the offensive damage and proved the difference in the end. Coalface Kangas Matty Johnston and Mickitja Rotumah-Onus won the midfield field battle providing weight of supply forward, aiding the Kangas to a third score over 100 points in their last four games. For the record, JJ has booted 16 goals for the period.

Coach Jake Bridges was fully aware of his cliche response in the aftermath but thought they were the right words to best sum up the performance. "It was a great team effort," he said.

For Joe Carmody's Swans, buoyed by the return of livewire forward Andrew Hooper (4 goals) conceded they were, "outplayed in the contest, especially at the stoppage.” According to Carmody, "East's midfielders were totally dominant.”

Improving Swans youngster Will Liston and newcomer Aiden Domic along with Hooper gave their all but the Kangas were simply too strong. Expect the Swans to rally next week, second up after illness and injury that decimated the side ahead of their 95-point round five loss to Melton. Will be better for the run.

Surprise packets Darley won their third 'away' game in four attempts under new Coach Dan Jordan to move into second place on the BFNL ladder. The Devils humbled a disappointing Lions outfit who proved their own worst enemy yet again with poor shooting for goal and turnovers in general play.

Despite a 19-point advantage at the half, Jordan conceded his young Devils could easily have been three or four goals down if not for inaccuracy on the part of the Lions.

Jordan said the Lions were pretty good for the most part and was proud of the overall effort of his boys.

"I could easily have found room for 13 or 14 players in our best," he said. "But we still have a lot to learn and face another tough game against Ballarat this week."

While marquee Devils forward Nick Rodda (5 goals) was prominent, the light shone more on the progress of a few youngsters, namely Brady Wright (4 goals), Andy Azzopardi (best) and 16-year-old debutant Mitch Gardiner (2 goals) who might just have kicked the club’s goal of the year. Luther Baker was the Devils’ best mid, while captain Brett Bewley was selfless under a heavy tag.

Redan coach Jarrett Giampaolo's disappointment was palpable in the aftermath. "Another frustrating game - we're unable to maintain consistency in games at the moment," he said.  

Isaac Grant, Jacob Short and Declan Phillips headed the Lions list of best players. 

There were contrasting emotions in both camps following Sunbury's 41-point win over Lake Wendouree at Clarke Oval. A relieved Lions coach Travis Hodgson complimented the efforts of his midfield group and his rebounding defence, denying key Lakers forward, Box Hill affiliate and leading VFL goalkicker Fergus Greene (3 goals) maximum impact.

"It was good to build on last week’s solid performance," Hodgson said. "Our focus is to continue to improve from week to week."

On the flipside, Lakers coach Jack Fitzpatrick didn't hold back with his damningly honest appraisal of his club’s performance.

"If we continue to not compete for four quarters we will continue to get beaten by bigger margins," he said. According to Fitzpatrick, the Lakers did not take advantage of the inclusion of Greene who is a star at VFL level.

"Fergus was good off limited supply," he said. "Clearly a class above and it's a shame we couldn't utilise him more."

Sunbury surpassed their previous high score of 2022 (68) comfortably with 30 shots on goal to bring up the tonne.

Harry Minton-Connell, Corey Mobilio (3 goals), Tom Werner and Haydn Ross were named best for the winners while Bayley Thompson, Thomas Hunt and Rory O'Keefe could keep their heads up for their contribution in loss. The game was all over at quarter-time - Sunbury led 50-15. Night, night.

Scoop' Reviews Round 7

The trend of winning away from home continued at the weekend, with another four wins for the away teams. Of the 35 games completed so far 20 have been won by the away team.

For the three seasons prior to 2022, hitting the highway to play came with an average of one win from every four games. In 2022, that ratio has switched dramatically to 10 wins from 14 highway matches for the away teams.

Projected to be improvers this year, Sunbury’s season is on a knife's edge after a 13-point home loss to Redan on Saturday.

Despite leading at every change, Sunbury was unable to hold off the visitors who overcame a 14-point deficit at three-quarter time by adding five goals to one in a barnstorming finish.

The Atchison boys shared ground honours, while underrated wingman Pat Fitzgibbon thrived on the big ground that is Clarke Oval.

Sunbury coach Travis Hodgson conceded it was a game of missed opportunity from his group.

"We played reasonably well and mostly controlled it for two and a half quarters, had numerous chances to kick away halfway through the third and didn't take them," he said.

Harry Power, Haydn Ross and Jayden Eales were acknowledged for their efforts in a losing side that simply came up short.

"Redan clearly outplayed us in the last quarter," Hodgson said.

The nature of the come from behind win for the visitors will be a major confidence booster for the group, according to Redan coach Jarrett Giampaolo 

"I'm absolutely stoked for the boys after a great fightback in the second half," he said.

"(We) showed plenty of character, never gave in and deserved the win for the effort they put in."

Two road trip challenges await these clubs in round eight and neither will be easy by any stretch. Sunbury head to Sebastopol to take on the Burras who have won three in a row, while Redan meets an improving Melton South. 

The Swans got it done on the road, bringing their best when it mattered most to hold off an inaccurate Devils by 18 points. The win was thoroughly deserved and a just reward for the Swans’ superior work rate and ability to outnumber the Devils at the contest, especially in defence. Devils key forward Nick Rodda (3.7) often had two or three to beat in the air yet somehow the Swans were able to win the ball at ground level.

Swans mid Aiden Domic was damaging with his outside run, Nick Weightman was influential with his drive off half-back and captain Sam James was important with his work around stoppage. Coach Joe Carmody praised his boys post-match and welcomed the return to the winners’ list.

"Our ball movement was very good, and our pressure and tackling were at a high standard," he said. 

For the Devils, Duncan Cadman and Shane Page battled like warriors, while Brett Bewley, despite much attention, is clearly a class above. Coach Dan Jordan is not one to explore the could’ve, would’ve, should’ve despite a run of eight consecutive behinds from midway through the second quarter until late in the third.

"Sure, we didn't take our chances, but there's plenty more we'll learn from the game," he said.

"We're a young group, seven rounds in and tracking in the right direction."

While the round eight bye is timely for the Devils, their next hit out isn't until June 18, when they embark on a road trip to East Point. The challenge for the returning young list will be to hit the ground running given the club has won just one first quarter in 2022.      

The Kangas stormed back into second place on the BFNL ladder with a convincing 47-point win over the Cobras at Eastern Oval. The (still) reigning back-to-back Premiers put the game to bed early, opening up a 27-point lead at the first change.

Jordy Johnston (5 goals) was the star of the show yet again, taking his tally to 21 goals from his last five games, while marquee recruit Jackson Merrett was named best afield. Midfielders Mickitja Rotumah-Onus and Joe Dodd won more than their fair share of the ball through the midfield to aid the supply to Johnston, Bryce McDougall (2 goals) and impressive young talent Jack Jeffrey (2 goals).

Kangas coach Jake Bridges said it was, “a four-quarter effort with plenty of evidence around our trademarks and opportunities for growth."

Cobras forward Aaron Willetts (4 goals) returned from a hip complaint, confirming his importance to the lineup to be named among the best with newcomer Sam Crea and defender Simon LaFranchi. Dangerous forward Jake Owen finished with two goals and continued with his terrific run of consistency.

Coach Tom German conceded his boys were made to work hard for their goals while a skilful East Point took their opportunities. The Cobras sit just outside the top six on percentage and face North Ballarat at Mars Stadium on Saturday. Good luck.

Sebastopol kicked the last five goals of the game to secure the points against a spirited Melton South at the weekend.

Star utility and Burra captain Tony Lockyer (3 goals) were the catalysts behind the tough win after the visitors were ahead in the last quarter.

Panthers coach Heath Pritchard was full of praise for Lockyer in the aftermath.

"Tony was the best on ground by the length of the straight, simply outstanding," he said.

Pritchard went on to express the pride in his own group who again were crippled with illness to key players including their general and captain, Shaun Wyatt. While the Panthers struggled to get their best 22 on the park, Pritchard made no excuses, remaining positive on the trajectory of the club’s improvement over the last month.

"We are getting better every week and believe in what we're doing," he said. "More wins are around the corner."

Burras’ coach Michael Searle was clearly relieved with the win after an almighty scare.

"We knew it was a danger game for us," he said. "They applied good pressure and took risks that we struggled to defend against."

While Michael Powell (5 goals), Jed Hill (4 goals) and Bailey Veale (2 goals) featured prominently for the winners there was no disputing the most influential player on the ground.

"Thank goodness for Tony Lockyer," Searle said.

The Panthers showed plenty of dash to reel in a 34-point halftime deficit before their run ended. Dylan Jones, Cody Chapman, Jacob Thornton-Gielen maintained their recent good form while Dylan Conway booted four goals in his return. 

Undefeated Melton showed no signs of mercy at the weekend cruising in a systematic fashion to an 81-point win over Lake Wendouree.

The Bloods booted five goals in every quarter, refusing to take their foot off the gas.

Progressive half-forward Luke Heaney (5 goals), along with Liam Carter (4 goals) took the honours on the scoreboard while regular duo Ryan Carter and Braeden Kight took a back seat settling three goals each of their own.

Bloods midfielder Jaycob Hickey is starting to give teammate Jack Walker a run for club Best and Fairest with another best on ground performance ahead of those who did the damage in front of goal. Kyle Borg, Lachie Watkins and Lachlan Walker shared good numbers of their own to feature in yet another four-quarter Bloods blitz.

Lakers coach Jack Fitzpatrick found some positives in his young group’s performance but was under no illusions about the difference between the two sides.

"The scoreboard might not reflect it, but the competitiveness was far better than last week," he said.

"That said, we got a lesson in using the footy - schoolboy errors hurt us, but to Melton's credit their ball use was exceptional."

Another tough assignment awaits the Lakers this week when they face Ballarat at Alfredton Oval. Melton's week culminates with a top of the table clash at home with East Point. We look forward to that one!