Ballarat made a lasting impression on the return of the Under 23 Interleague concept with an entertaining 16-point win over the Hampden Football League at MARS Stadium on Saturday.
After trailing at quarter time, Ballarat answered the call under new coach and AFL Hall of Famer Anthony Koutoufides to lead the visitors at the main break by 15 points, restoring confidence and belief that a win over their past nemesis was a possibility.
It would take a collective buy-in from the hosts getting the job done given the depth of quality opposition under former AFL great and South Warrnambool product Jonathon Brown.
Sebastopol’s Riley O’Keefe (BFNL) was the deserving recipient of the Best on Ground Medal.
The rebounding defender’s decision making and composure under pressure was a real feature and not dissimilar to his Burra senior and club level team mate, Tony Lockyer.
Ballarat’s two-way running ability was significant.
The young gun’s ability to defend when required and create the overlap in transition proved a major asset the longer the game went, equating to six more scoring shots and a final margin, arguably a goal or two shy on its potential.
Clever Sunbury forward and Essendon VFL listed player Jake Sutton was a handful for the visitors to contain finishing with two goals, a tally which could have easily have been larger if not for a few misses in the last quarter.
Sunbury tall Fraser Ampulski validated his late call up tenfold.
His near lone effort shouldering the ruck duties against quality pairing Mark Marriot (Geelong VFL listed) and Ollie Bridgewater was huge.
Ampulski’s tireless will to compete enabled the rotation of navy blue and white midfielders their fair share of the ball to deny an inform, talent laden Hampden group a game on their own terms.
The Sunbury Football Netball Club have every right to be proud of their contribution with no less than six players represented, all of whom were pivotal in the outcome.
Redan’s Isaac Grant was named BFNL Captain and Bacchus Marsh’s Jack Parente his deputy.
Both led with the courage and selflessness you wish to see from your leaders.
All BFNL representatives had their moment in the sun and didn’t let their team down when it was their time to go.
Koutoufides summed up the nature of the group and the performance in the aftermath.
“You guys have really impressed me,” he said.
“I’ve only been with you for three nights training and match day, and I feel like I love you already,”
“Thank you for the opportunity, I’ve really enjoyed my time,”
The 278 game Carlton great left with a positive mark on the group.
“Don’t give up your dreams boys, I’m sure there’s a few here capable of playing in the AFL.”
Earlier in the day, the BFNL went down to Hampden by 35 points in the Under 17 representative match.
Final Score
Ballarat FNL 13.13-91 def. Hampden FNL 11.9-75
Ballarat (Best): R.O’Keefe, J.Riding, F.Ampulski, J.Egan, K.Borg, H.Minton-Connell, J.Sutton, C.Brand.
Ballarat (Goals): K.Borg 3, J.Sutton 2, I.Grant 2, L.Canny 2, W.Liston, R.Miller, J.Riding, M.Fino.
