BFNL Review - Week 1 Finals, 2023

Darley is one win away from booking its place in the 2023 BFNL Grand Final following a well-deserved 14-point win over Melton at Maddingley Park.

The Brett Bewley (two goals) inspired win was the third in as many encounters against the reigning premiers this year, as the Devils went to work, aiding a landslide advantage of inside 50's (70-41) despite the aerial dominance of Bloods’ ruckman Ben Archard around stoppage (+88 hit-outs).

If not for Melton's efficiency on goal after quarter time (9.0) the margin could easily have been greater.

A high stoppage, low scoring opening half nearly mirrored the two sides Round 17 meeting a fortnight ago. Ironically, the Bloods finished with exactly the same number of scoring shots (14) at games end - a stat Dan Jordan's staff would be happy to see again.

Devils’ midfielders Luther Baker, Matt Denham and Adam Azzopardi were significant contributors yet again alongside Bewley, while their underrated defence led by Matthew Brett were able to keep the competitions’ number one ranked forward combination in check.

Devils key Billy Myers (three goals) looked dangerous with his aerial presence while veteran Darren Leonard (two goals) wound the clock back to be instrumental with his versatility.

For the Bloods, speedsters Kyle Borg (four goals) and Adrian Monitto threatened all day to keep the reigning premiers within reach despite the margin blowing out to 30 points at one stage late in the last quarter. Ruckman Ben Archard was super, winning nearly every tap out but unfortunately for the minor premiers, the Essendon VFL affiliates’ powers did not translate to wins at ground level.

The Devils meet North Ballarat on Saturday for a spot in the Grand Final. The loser will face the winner of Melton and East Point in the Preliminary Final on Saturday September 16.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Brett Bewley (Darley): 48 disposals, 25 contested possessions, 14 inside 50s

Billy Myers (Darley): 19 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 8 marks

Ben Archard (Melton): 95 hit outs, 18 disposals, 7 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dan Jordan (Darley): "Happy with our effort and intensity for four quarters despite losing a few to injury. Good finals win but plenty to work on."

Aaron Tymms (Melton): "(Our) decision making and execution was very poor. Darley were too good. (We) thought their mids controlled the game."

Jackson Merrett's Kangas are riding high after surviving a late scare to upset pregame favorites Sebastopol at Eastern Oval on Saturday.

Scores were levelled by the Burra in time-on of the last quarter after they trailed by 18 points at the final change before the Kangas steadied late to progress.

It was as recent as Round 18 that Kangas fans were contemplating a September without finals but here they are, well and truly alive and down to the last four with reigning premiers Melton their next assignment.

Star Kangas mid/forward Jordy Johnston (broken thumb) was a late out after surgery adding further merit to the galvanising win.

Experienced quartet Joe Dodd (named best), Joel Van Meel, Jordy Taylor and Bryson McDougall (three goals) were super for the winners and were well support by next generation players Jack Jeffrey (three goals) and Liam Canny (one goal).

Under 17 Kangas rising star Strahan Robinson (17 goals from 9 games) hit the scoreboard again posting three timely majors. No doubt his profile is seen to be, beyond his years. 

Sure, the Kangas were buoyed by the elephant in the room (Eastern Oval) but in fairness we've known the finals schedule for some time now and the Burra camp refused to make any excuses. Good on them.

The Burra looked flat. Strange when you consider the stakes but full credit to East Point embracing the moment and the 'catch me if you can' nature of the contest, to lead at every change and ask questions of Luke Kiel and Michael Columbro's group.

Not for the first week has the talent laden Burra been wayward in front of goal. Back-to-back returns of 17 behinds (near doubling their goal returns) has proven costly - and maybe their season. You would have to go back to Round 9 (9.8 v Redan) to find the last time the Burra kicked more goals than points in a match involving top six opposition.

Lachlan Cassidy, Tony Lockyer, Hugo Papst, Toby Hutt (two goals), Jay Dahlhaus and Jacob Fletcher were named best for the Burra in a disappointing end to a season that promised so much.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Matt Johnston (East Point): 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 11 clearances

Joel Van Meel (East Point): 42 hit outs, 16 disposals, 9 contested possessions

Arnold Kirby (Sebastopol): 61 hit outs, 16 disposals, 12 contested possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Luke Kiel/Michael Columbro (Sebastopol): "East Point jumped us early. We didn't apply enough pressure on the ball carrier and couldn't put any scoreboard pressure on. Disappointing to go out like that."

Jackson Merrett (East Point): "The group showed a lot of character. Credit to Sebastopol, they pushed us and got back level and for our young guys to keep their heads and run away with it late was really pleasing."

X-factor North Ballarat forward Jamie Quick (five goals) proved the difference between the two sides sending Brendan McCartney's boys into a Semi Final showdown with Darley on Saturday.

The Geelong VFL listed Quick delivered star power to a match that was dour and defensive, amid blustery conditions for the most part.

His influence was not restricted to his 5.3 heroics, as he often brought the ball to the ground against two opponents, inadvertently creating a plus one at ground level that led to more than one of the remaining six goals posted by the Roosters.

Redan led narrowly at half time before the Roosters raised the bar in the second to challenge the plucky Lions.

Bigman Callum McCullum dominated the ruck the further the game went, aiding the influence of Riley Polkinghorne who had plenty of the ball to be instrumental between the arcs driving the Roosters forward.

The heat map would indicate up to 80% of the play was orchestrated on one side of the ground making it difficult for both sides to penetrate through traffic.

Unfortunately for the Lions they could barely register a mark inside 50 in the second half to impact the scoreboard unlike the Roosters at the other end who had Quick thriving in his dancing shoes. Quality act.

North Ballarat's defence were well organised, giving very little away in the second half to hold sway, denying the Lions any effective entries.

Each had their moments - Ryan Hobbs, Isaac Lovisson and Josh Sparkman were at their stingy best while Stewart Crameri was damaging early and Polkinghorne was significant aiding a run of five unanswered goals for the Roosters from midway through the third term.

Dangerous mid/forward Jack Riding endured an 'almost game' in a contest fought primarily on the inside.

He, Jamie Quick, Ryan Hobbs and Harry Loader all missed their 34-point loss to the Devils in Round 15. Game on.

The win was bittersweet for McCartney's army after veteran Clay Jenkins left the field on a stretcher with a season ending knee injury.

For Redan, whilst brave, they just couldn't get the game on their terms for long enough and had little time on the outside to generate any significant run and finish from their prime movers.

Nathan Dunstan fought tirelessly in the ruck despite being shaded by McCullum while Declan Phillips, Flynn Atchison, Jarrett Giampaolo, Grant Bell and Pat Fitzgibbon were given the nod by the Lions hierarchy to be named among their best in a losing side.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Cam McCallum (North Ballarat): 55 hit outs, 21 disposals, 18 contested possessions

Jack Riding (North Ballarat): 18 disposals, 10 tackles,8 score involvements

William Madden (Redan): 24 disposals, 10 marks, 6 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Brendan McCartney (North Ballarat): "A tough and honest performance against a very talented opponent. We have been building steadily over the year and we believe there is improvement to come."

Gary Learmonth (Redan): "A disappointing result but I thought for a good part of the game we were in control of the match. Losing (Daniel) Bond just before half time hurt us and the 10 minutes in the third quarter, we were disappointing where we lost our outside cover. Proud of the effort and the boys showed again what they're capable of. They will improve again next year as I need to as a coach."