BFNL Review - Round 5, 2024

The Cobras made it two wins from as many outings in Ballarat with a morale-boosting 72-point win over a disappointing Sebastopol.

After an even first half, the Cobras put together their most complete quarter of the season under new coach Dennis Armfield with seven unanswered goals to set up a match winning 48-point lead at the final change.

Just how the Cobras would go about finishing off their good work in foreign territory and a seemingly unassailable lead became the narrative for Armfield and his staff to implore.

And they weren't about to be let down. A young Cobras outfit full of momentum added a further 4.5 in the final term outscoring the Burra 2.3 to run out comfortable winners.

Isaac Nixon's best on ground performance yielded a game high four goals ahead of experienced campaigners Jake Owen and Armfield who each finished with three.

Usual suspects Jake McCreery and Luke Goetz featured prominently again while live wire Ethan McKercher continued to impress with his clean ball use and explosive pace.

Burra’s quintet Jed Hill, Ryan Noether, Sam Wilkinson, Tony Lockyer and Bailey Medwell were praised for their efforts in arguably the club’s worst loss of the season that nestles them in the bottom three on the back of four consecutive losses.

There seems no end in sight for the Burras run outs next week when they travel to Mars Stadium to front North Ballarat on the rebound. The Cobras will prepare for a fill-up at home against the winless Panthers.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol) - 31 disposals, 11 rebound 50s, 8 intercept possessions

Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 52 hit outs, 19 disposals, 10 score involvements

Jake McCreery (Bacchus Marsh) - 29 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 11 inside 50s

COACHES’ VERDICT

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
"A competitive first half with the game in the balance at half time. (Our) third quarter was extremely poor, gave the ball away too easily and efforts to stop the Marsh were lackluster. (We) simply did not execute what we set out to do for each other. Credit to Dennis and the Marsh, they played some great team footy. Backs against the walls for us, but we won't give up. Still plenty of season to go."

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
"Really positive four quarter performance built off pressure and effort. We came with a willingness to put our teammates first and a drive to compete. Sebastopol were really strong at uncontested marks in the first half, and we had to change the way we played to take this away and force (them to go) long."

League improvers Sunbury have firmed into potential flag conversation following an 81-point routing of North Ballarat at the Clarke Oval.

A very well organised Lions outfit under new coach Matt White stunned the crowd, even their most loyal and faithful, booting nine unanswered goals in the third term to extend a 22-point half time lead to 77 at the final change - game over.

Dangerous Lions’ forward combo Jake Sutton (five goals) and Mitch McLean (five goals) hit the scoreboard to share honours on the goal front, while promising young ruckman Fraser Ampulski was best afield ahead of a host of major contributors including Lachlan Urbon, Ben Eales and Mitch Lewis and McLean.

Popular young Lion Thomas Werner took his opportunity with both hands to feature in BOG discussions following a well-earned recall after a bout in the twos.

For North Ballarat, nothing really went right at all despite the consistent efforts of inform duo Isaac Carey and Joshua Sparkman, Nelson Troon, Riley Polkinghorne, Harry Loader and Hugh Trigg.

The Roosters chances were rendered slim at best ahead of the opening bounce in the absence of Jamie Quick, Mal White, Liam Deering, Tom Bromley-Lynch, Jarrod Curran and Stewart Crameri.

Credit to North Ballarat coach Brendan McCartney for making little excuse in the aftermath for a less than ideal preparation.

Matthew White's Lions remain unbeaten with a healthy list and have another opportunity to frank their current form when they host Darley (4-1) who remain shy of a four quarter best performance since their season opener against East Point. Should be a belter.

North Ballarat are at home to struggling Sebastopol.  

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Tyson Lever (Sunbury) - 28 disposals, 13 marks, 13 intercept possessions

Jake Sutton (Sunbury) - 23 disposals, 13 score involvements, 10 marks

Riley Polkinghorne (North Ballarat) - 34 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 9 clearances 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Matt White (Sunbury)
"Really good four quarter performance. A midfield battle that we were able to get clear from in the second half and capitilise on."

Brendan McCartney (North Ballarat)
"Tough day for us today. Sunbury were very good in all areas of the game and were way too good. They showed us their class and competitiveness as a club. We didn't have our best week of preparation. Good learnings (for us) as a club and we move on."

The powerful Bloods, under new coach Troy Scoble, flexed their muscles in the second and fourth quarters posting 11.5 to the Swans’ 1.1, validating a 70-point separation on the scoreboard at the final siren.

It was the second footy audit in as many weeks for Chris Maple's young Swans who fell 64 points of Darley in Round 4. Their bye in Round 6 rings timely.

Despite the Bloods’ humble 'work in progress' narrative, most would agree they are early flag favorites on exposed form.

They're very strong in all areas and blessed with depth, not dissimilar to Sunbury, with as many as 30 players on the list who could fill a role if/when required.

Versatile X-factor forward and Bloods’ captain Braedan Kight featured with another starring role finishing with seven goals to move five clear in the race for the Tony Lockett Medal. Kight has 25 goals to date from just four games. 

Jaycob Hickey, Jordyn Cotter, Lachlan Phillips, Billy Sullivan and Bailey Mawson earned support role nominations behind Kight to be named among the best players.

For the visitors, it was no surprise to see their top end talent brigade provide the greatest resistance.

Rhett Montgomery was named best once again for the Swans ahead of Lauchie Dalgleish, Marcus Powling and Callan Wellings. Youngsters Zach Maple and Rhys Perry also did enough to earn their name in print.

Melton faces East Point at MacPhersons Park on Saturday who head into the game with big wins over bottom three sides Sebastopol, Melton South and Lake Wendouree.

Will the confidence gained by the Kangas’ hattrick of wins prove enough to override their questionable form line and challenge the Bloods?

We shall see.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Rhett Montgomerie (Ballarat) - 26 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, 13 contested possessions

Lachlan Watkins (Melton) - 28 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 7 clearances

Jordyn Cotter (Melton) - 31 disposals, 11 intercept possessions, 9 marks

COACHES’ VERDICT

Troy Scoble (Melton)
"Terrific contest, no side could get away from the other in the first 30 minutes. (The) contest was even and both defences strong. We were able to capitilise on turnover in the second quarter to gain some separation on the scoreboard. We were happy with our planning going into the game against a really talented team. (The) scoreboard did not reflect the competitiveness of the game. When you play top teams, you have to play well and we feel we will learn a lot from the game ahead of the challenge next week against form team East Point. We enjoy playing in the big games each week." 

Chris Maple (Ballarat)
"We were really competitive for the majority of the game. Our second quarter let us down when we lost control in the contested side of the game and turnovers really hurt us. (Our) goalkicking was poor throughout the game. Credit to Melton, a big strong side who will be there come September." 

An eight-goal blitz from the Devils in the opening term gave visiting Redan little to no hope repeating an upset result at Darley Park.

The Lions have proven the Devils’ 'bogie side' in recent times having won four of their previous five meetings but this game was all over at quarter time.

The Devils were at their best for a 24-minute period post the six-minute mark led by Harley Inglis (three goals), Brady Wright (two goals) and dominant midfield trio Brett Bewley, Luther Baker and Matt Denham.

The Lions showed some resistance in the second term to win the quarter before the Devils steadied after the main break to extend the lead to 66 points at the final siren.

Billy Myers booted five second half goals to finish with six ahead of Inglis who continued his solid start to the season with a bag of five.

Brett Bewley (three goals), Baker and Denham were the stars of the show despite the Myers, Inglis influence on goal.

Defenders Zane Lehuray and Matthew Brett were sound shutting down Marty Boyer (0 goals) and Grant Bell (two goals).

Lions next gen quartet Rory Gunsser, Zac Mortlock, Kye Jess and Riley Collins continue to show promise while Billy Douglas (ruck) and Lachie George toiled manfully around stoppage despite the unenviable task denying a rampant Devils midfield.

The Devils extend their winning streak at home to 11, usurping their previous average winning margin (62 points) for the period.    

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Brett Bewley (Darley) - 50 disposals, 19 score involvements, 17 clearances

Rory Gunsser (Redan) - 33 disposals, 9 rebound 50s, 8 marks

Billy Myers (Darley) - 21 disposals, 14 score involvements, 15 contested possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT

Dan Jordan (Darley)
"Solid performance, happy with the result. Again, we saw glimpses of our best but credit to Redan who kept coming at us. Still plenty more to work on as we continue to build into the season."

Gary Learmonth (Redan)
"We were caught out early by an organised and experienced outfit. For the middle part of the game, we gave good effort but turned the ball over far too often. Lots to learn from the opportunity to play against Bewley and Co."

Joe Carmody's Kangaroos have slung themselves into fourth on the McDonald’s BFNL table with a resounding 65-point win on the road over the winless Lakers.

Despite winning all four quarters the Kangas were made to work their way back in front early before building on their advantage at every change.

Kangas’ duo Bryson McDougall and young gun Strahan Robinson shared game high returns in front of goal alongside Lakers talent Bailey Thompson, each of whom finished the day with four majors.

But it was the sheer overall dominance of the Kangas list that proved too much for the Lakers over the journey.

A four-point quarter time lead was raised incrementally at the breaks as the difference between the two sides was validated by the gulf in scoring shots - some 20 more registered by the winners.

Experienced Kangas’ Jordan Taylor (best), Joel Van Meel, Matthew Johnston (one goal), McDougall and Billy Jones provided most of the damage while progressive youngster and 2023 BFNL Interleague rep Liam Canny (one goal) did enough to be among Henderson Medal vote contention.

The two halves on the score front were essentially a copy paste version of one another as the Kangas near mirrored their advantage in each - 33 points at the main break, 65 at the final siren.

Lakers’ utility Bailey Thompson's four goals were a shining light in the Lakers loss as Joel O'Connell, Kye Anderson, Angus Gove and Tom Zampatti maintained their run of consistent form over recent weeks to feature in the best players. 

If there's any consolation for Rohan Brown's Lakers, they were on the end of the lowest losing margin out of a weekend of big results.

The Lakers are away to Redan at City Oval in Round 6 while the Kangas get their round six update on the road against yardstick Melton.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Jordan Johnston (East Point) - 33 disposals, 18 score involvements, 17 contested possessions

Angus Gove (Lake Wendouree) - 36 disposals, 12 intercept possessions, 10 rebound 50s

Matt Johnston (East Point) - 31 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 score involvements

COACHES’ VERDICT

Rohan Brown (Lake Wendouree)
"Rinse and repeat for us today. Some of our footy was great, especially in the first quarter. It felt like the game was on our terms early. (Throughout the) middle quarters they took full advantage of our mistakes as our system fell down a bit. Small steps forward once again which is better than going back a couple. Hopefully we get a few players back next week."

Joe Carmody (East Point)
"(We) played in patches today. All credit to Lakers who really had a crack all day. We dominated forward 50 entries so eventually that translated to scoreboard pressure and the win."