BFNL Review - Round 15, 2023

Bacchus Marsh duly saluted with a morale boosting win on the road against Melton South.

While the result may have been expected, Cobras’ coach Jason Williams wasn't prepared to take anything for granted given their modest two-win season.

In fact, it was against the Cobras at their earlier meet where the winless Panthers won their only quarter for the season. Given that was the opening term back in Round 9, Williams’ focus was eyeing an impactful start from his visiting party.

Prime mover jake Owen didn't let him down with two goals in the opening four minutes to lay claim on a potential big day in front of the sticks.

While the former captain finished with a game high five goals, he may have come up shy on the days potential given he had 10 shots on goal for the day.

Cobras’ next generation pair Rylan Porter and Spencer Jenks both kicked three goals.

Owen was named best for the winners ahead of Tyson Shea, Josh Huxtable and Jack Parente. Improver Xavier Jenks also featured for a fourth time this season.

For the embattled Panthers, they did show some fight matching the Cobras with a two goal second term but again the reality of victory was beyond their reach.

Jarrod Bibby, Rhys Lee and Aydn Reilly were once again prominent contributors for the hosts while big man Broden Collins fought valiantly against arguably the competitions’ premier ruckman, Luke Goetz.  

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Jake Owen (Bacchus Marsh): 28 disposals, 22 marks, 17 score involvements

Tyson Shea (Bacchus Marsh): 33 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 14 tackles

Rhys Lee (Melton South): 36 disposals, 13 marks, 10 rebound 50s

COACHES’ VERDICT

Ryan Hoy (Melton South): "Felt our first half was really good, especially the second quarter where we defended well. Unfortunately, we lost our way a bit in the third (quarter) where Bacchus Marsh got control at the stoppage and weren't able to quell momentum. Credit to our boys, they stuck it out in the last quarter which was pleasing."

Jason Williams (Bacchus Marsh): "Grateful to win and have a lot of contributors across the day. I enjoyed seeing the boys really enjoy themselves. Melton South were good in the second half and challenged us which I think will help us over the coming weeks."

Darley moved into outright second on the BFNL table, just one game behind ladder leaders Melton, after a hard fought 34-point win over North Ballarat.

In what was billed as one of the games of the round, the contested brand of footy on display earned the plaudits of all and sundry in attendance.

While scoring on the major front was a difficult assignment for both sides, it was the Devils who held their nerve to breakthrough the Roosters defence, extending their lead at each interval en route toward a meritorious four quarter win.

The convincing nature of the result put pay to any doubts held more broadly across the competition that the Devils could turn the tables on their 57-point loss earlier in the season.

In fairness, the Roosters chances were dealt a severe blow with the late withdrawal of Jack Riding (Werribee VFL).

The creative playmaker’s recall was untimely given the absence of sharpshooter Jamie Quick (concussion), Sam Artz (concussion), Ryan Hobbs (calf), Harry Loader (overseas) and Thomas Hotchin (knee). 

For the Devils, top end talents Matthew Brett, Shane Page and Brett Bewley were the prime instigators in the all-important win while Joel Cadman and Darren Leonard were the only multiple goal scores on the day finishing with two each.

Roosters’ defenders Isaac Carey and Isaac Lovisson were named best for the travelling party, while Callum McCullum, Riley Polkinghorne, Brock Leonard and Tom Bromley-Lynch fought bravely between the arcs.

Honours with the Devils for keeping North Ballarat to their lowest score of the season.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Brett Bewley (Darley): 41 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 9 tackles

Matthew Brett (Darley): 24 disposals, 12 marks, 11 contested possessions

Cam McCallum (North Ballarat): 78 hit outs, 17 disposals, 13 contested possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dan Jordan (Darley): "A good performance against an undermanned North Ballarat outfit. We were strong in the contest and executed mostly what we wanted for the day. Still plenty to work on."

Brendan McCartney (North Ballarat): "Tough day for us. Darley were strong in all areas of the game, in particular overhead and owning the outside of the ground. Dan is a high-quality coach and is building a team built to succeed in finals. Another challenge for us next week where we can put some of our learnings to the test."

An inaccurate Redan took more than a half of footy to shrug off the one-win Lakers to gain a much needed four premiership points to elevate themselves back inside the top six at the expense of East Point.

The Lions had won just three of their previous eight games and were looking to consolidate early but were often denied by a plucky Lakers outfit who played some good footy to be within a goal at the main break.

However, the Lions awoke from their post bye slumber adding 7.15 to 1.3 after half time to earn some separation on the scoreboard.

Twenty-two shots on goal to three after the main break tells its own story of dominance. Nonetheless the Lions would be disappointed with their 10-goal return given the Lakers’ average concede per game is in excess of 100 points.

Isaac Grant (four goals) and Grant Bell (three goals) found their mojo around goal while Declan Phillips, Declan Hart, Jacob Short, Daniel Bond and Lachie George won more than their fair share of the ball to feature in the best players.

For the Lakers, Bailey Thompson continued his run of recent form, booting three of his team’s four goals to aid the efforts of midfield duo Timmy Collins and Michael Foster who accumulated possession whilst under the pump.

Lakers’ big man Tom Zampatti made it a fifth appearance in the best from just seven games with his new club.

While the Lakers have just the one win to their name, they've shown longer periods of competitiveness that should hold no grave fears ahead of their Round 16 clash with Bacchus Marsh this Saturday.

Redan's ongoing battle with East Point for sixth place on the BFNL ladder continues when Gary Learmonth's pride head to Alfredton Oval aiming to consolidate an eighth win of their season.

For the record, East Point host third placed Sebastopol, who will be without livewire forward/mid Jay Dahlhaus with a hand injury. 

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Izaac Grant (Redan): 32 disposals, 14 score involvements, 14 contested possessions

Declan Phillips (Redan): 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 9 pressure acts

Bailey Ryan (Lake Wendouree): 28 disposals, 13 rebound 50s, 7 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Tim Shearer (Lake Wendouree): "Another competitive effort today. Playing group was excited about the opportunity in front of them at half time. Redan showed why they are heading towards finals with the poise they displayed after the break."

Gary Learmonth (Redan): "Lakers never gave up and played some good footy. We gave the ball back too often and left plenty of goals out there. We take the win and move on to a great test against Ballarat."

Melton stood up when it counted to deny Sunbury with a four-quarter winning performance at Macpherson Park.

While the visitors were brave for the most part, the Lions were unable to make inroads, trailing by eight, 13, 17 points at each of the breaks before going down by 27 at full-time.

Coach Travis Hodgson cited 'crucial mistakes' at both ends of the ground as the catalyst for their inability to arrest the gradual separation on the scoreboard.

The Lions were in the contest all day but couldn't deny the 'forever honest' Bloods who were well served by their more experienced heads Ben Archard, Jordy Cotter, Braedyn Kight (four goals), Lachie Watkins and the Walker brothers.

Liam Carter returned from a calf injury sustained in Round 7 to finish with two goals alongside Port Melbourne VFL listed speedster Kyle Borg (two goals).

Back-to-back goals for the hunting Lions against the might of the Bloods defence was always going to be a challenge.

With goals at a premium young gun Jake Egan, Jake Sutton and Mitch Trimboli managed two apiece while Patrick Scanlon, Josh Guthrie and Riley got the nod, featuring at the head of the best players.

Melton have the bye his week while Sunbury head to Mars Stadium for another footy audit against fellow Round 15 losers North Ballarat (fourth).

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Jordyn Cotter (Melton): 33 disposals, 13 marks, 12 intercept possessions

Ben Archard (Melton): 75 hit outs, 25 disposals, 14 contested possessions

Joshua Guthrie (Sunbury): 38 disposals, 24 contested possessions, 17 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT

Aaron Tymms (Melton): "A really good contest and we were able to grind out a professional win against strong opposition. We were able to control the game and were able to adjust to the different looks they gave us."

Travis Hodgson (Sunbury): "Tight contest all day. Proud of the boys and I thought we were a genuine chance for most of the day and during the last quarter. We made some crucial mistakes in front of goal and deep in defence that no doubt hurt. That's what makes Melton so good, they punish you for it."