BFNL Review - Round 13, 2024

Potential flag favorites Melton provided yet another example of their dominance given any conditions with a hard fought 28-point win over North Ballarat at Mars Stadium.

The scoreline in isolation confirmed the adverse nature of the conditions with the Roosters kept to their lowest score during Brendan McCartney’s four-year tenure.

In fairness, the numbers around scoring across the region in BFNL football equate to a forgive run as the elements dominated the landscape.

The Roosters only goal came in the second quarter to have them within 23 points at the main break.

Such is the miserly, stingy habits of the Bloods’ defence, no favours were forwarded to the hosts as they were held to just five behinds for the second half.

Credit to the North Ballarat group restricting the Bloods to just one goal post the break in a match I’m sure both sides were happy to hear the final siren with one eye firmly fixed on a lasting image of a simple hot shower.

Kyle Borg (two goals) was named best on ground for the winners ahead of a handful of Bloods that conditions suited down to the ground.

Warriors, Lachie Watkins, midfield trio Jaycob Hickey, Jack Walker and Brett McIntyre (ruck) earned the plaudits of Troy Scoble and his staff ahead of Liam Carter whose form continues on an encouraging trajectory since his return from injury.

For Brendan McCartney's Roosters, you can never deny their trademark effort in win or loss.

Tom Bromley-Lynch flew the flag for the hosts on a tough day at the office against the ladder leaders, ahead of Ryan Hobbs, Isaac Carey, Nelson Troon, Simon McCartin and Charlie Darebin who rated credible mentions.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Isaac Carey (North Ballarat) - 36 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 10 clearances

Brett McIntyre (Melton) - 58 hit outs, 12 contested possessions, 9 clearances

Jack Walker (Melton) - 23 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 8 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT
Brendan McCartney (North Ballarat)
"(We) really only looked like us in the second half where we fought hard but struggled to convert. Full credit to Melton for how they set the ground up - very organised and connected. (We) butter up and move onto next week."

Troy Scoble (Melton)
"Full credit to both teams today in how we approached the contest. Full respect to North (Ballarat) given their unavailable players with the effort and attitude shown from their group. (We're) really proud of our group - you must be mentally prepared for days like today and be disciplined to your system. Contest after contest with some luck early to hit the scoreboard to get a lead meant we set ourselves up for the second half slog. Still had some good learnings today which we will review and move forward into our next game seeking continued improvement and focus."

Sebastopol kicked the sweep in arguably the most impressive win of the round albeit on the road, accounting for improvers Lake Wendouree.

The bigger bodied Burras denied the hosts a sniff with a four-quarter winning performance to keep their slim finals chances alive.

Tony Lockyer's group sit in eighth place on the BFNL table still two games and percentage shy of Ballarat who have a game up their sleeve.

Since Round 5 Lockyer (two goals) has been named 'best on' for the Burra in five of their eight games, an ageless veteran who keeps on keeping on, leading from the front with not only voice but action.

Dangerous pressure forward Adam Forbes finished with a game high four goals to earn his place in the company alongside Lockyer and playmakers Jack Bambury and Luke Kiel.

The Burra would take further encouragement on the back of contributions from lesser knowns Lachlan O'Keefe and Mitch Johnson who landed in the pointy end of best player discussions.

The aftermath wasn't so positive for the Lakers who couldn't match the Burra in most key areas and fell well short on an otherwise forgiving day for many sides plying their Saturday afternoon trade on the footy field.

Despite a disappointing 52-point loss in front of home fans, you couldn't deny the efforts of a handful of Lakers who never gave up the fight - namely, Angus Gove, Tom Zampatti, Brayden Helyar, Michael Foster, Cooper James and Ty Palmer.

No surprise to see the more experienced, seasoned pick of the Lakers crew landing in the best.

Next week Sebastopol have a very winnable game on the road against an injury depleted Darley while the Lakers get another chance to repay the faith to home fans with a meeting against Chris Maple's Ballarat fresh off the bye. 

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol) - 36 disposals, 25 contested possessions, 10 clearances

Luke Kiel (Sebastopol) - 28 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 8 score involvements

Angus Gove (Lake Wendouree) - 27 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 intercept possessions 

COACHES’ VERDICT
Rohan Brown (Lake Wendouree)
"Like everywhere in the state we had to play in really trying conditions where we were beaten comprehensively. We played our brand for 20 minutes. Sebastopol were cleaner and you can't give up three goals in those conditions and expect to win the game. Down to no rotations in the back half of the game hurt us again late but all credit to Tony and his side - he has them playing good footy."

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
"We were keen to produce a four-quarter performance against what we knew was a much improved Lakers team from Round 1. Very pleased to execute that in very trying conditions. We were clean with the slippery ball and responded to multiple Lakers’ surges. Twenty-two contributors got the job done for us. Lakers have a great young group - a lot to like about them going forward."

The flying Kangaroos made it 11 wins on the trot in abhorrent conditions at Eastern Oval, running away with a 50-point win over an undermanned Darley.

Twenty-nine shots to four spoke volumes of the separation between the two sides especially after half time (17-1).

The Devils’ slim winning chances were dealt a severe blow losing reigning dual Henderson Medallist and captain Brett Bewley in the warm-up while Brady Wright left the field in the first quarter and did not return.

Footy can be a cruel game as the experience of East Point inevitably took over the longer the game went on.

Matty Johnston (Best), Jacob Brown, Mikitja Rottumah-Onus, Jackson Merrett, Jordan Taylor and Jordy Johnston (two goals) all featured in the better players and deservedly so.

Their ability to handle the conditions had a bit on the fledgling Devils who resembled barely a shadow of their Round 1 side that inflicted Joe Carmody's group with their only loss of the season with eleven changes from that game for Darley.

Kangas’ forward Bryson McDougall (2.5) was stiff to miss out on the 'best' players and was probably the next man up making it a clean sweep on impact from the experienced brigade.

For Dan Jordan's luckless Devils, conditions suited the Matricardi boys while another brotherly pairing, Andy (two goals) and Adam Azzopardi fought tooth and nail with defender Matty Brett and ruckman Mitch Hovey to earn the nod of approval from the men with the magnets.

While East Point enjoy the week off and savour their bye ahead of the business end, the Devils (4th) will start as underdogs despite their respective ladder positions when they host Sebastopol (8th).   

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Matt Johnston (East Point) - 39 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 12 intercept possessions

Joel Van Meel (East Point) - 66 hit outs, 12 1%ers, 6 tackles

Riley Matricardi (Darley) - 22 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 13 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT
Joe Carmody (East Point)
"Really difficult conditions on a heavy ground and tricky breeze. We were able to generate a number of scoring opportunities once our midfield got on top. Darley suffered some injuries but made us work hard for the win."

Dan Jordan (Darley)
"Up against it early after losing Brett (Bewley) and Brady (Wright). Toiled hard to half time but too undermanned and were run over in the second. Trying conditions for our inexperienced group but credit to East Point, their top end especially proved too overwhelming for us and thoroughly deserved the win."

Sunbury too survived a scare and returned to the winners list with a 31-point over Redan.

Gary Learmonth's young Pride led the top three candidates into the breeze at quarter time before the hosts were able to regroup, steady and find their mojo.

After the first change the hosts booted eight goals to two earn the plaudits of a well-deserved win.

In another low scoring affair across the competition, goals came at a premium.

Unlikely source Nathan Doyle finished with a game high three goals for the winners ahead of formidable pairing Jake Sutton and Mitch McLean who booted two apiece.

Coburg VFL listed player Benjamin Cameron returned to the Sunbury line up to be judged best afield ahead of consistent midfielder Josh Guthrie, Jack Newitt, Nathan Doyle, Joshua Lee and Mitch Lewis, who has recovered from a soft tissue complaint.

For Redan, shots on goal after quarter time were scarce in the absence of Lachie Bond who returned to Geelong VFL duties.

Grant Bell assumed the role of the Lions’ leading forward and finished with a team high two goals.

Dean Matthews was applauded for his efforts on Jake Sutton to be named best for the visitors ahead of midfield combo Rudie Forde (ruck), Lachie George and Khy Jess.

Billy Douglas and Harry Lawson also earned the tick of approval.

Both sides have the bye in Round 14 and will enjoy some pressure off having each lost four of their last five games heading into their Round 13 match up.

All honours with Sunbury with a return to third spot on the BFNL table a fitting reward.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Lachlan George (Redan) - 30 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 11 clearances

Josh Guthrie (Sunbury) - 45 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 6 marks

Jack Hannett (Sunbury) - 31 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 9 intercept possessions

COACHES VERDICT
Matt White (Sunbury)
"Really happy to be back in the winner’s circle. Really had to grind it out against a young Redan side. Took a while to get it done but (our) guys really started to find form again."

Gary Learmonth (Redan)
"Happy with our first three quarters but couldn't score with the breeze in the last to get the job done. Credit to Sunbury - they were well structured late and cleaner when it mattered most."

The Cobras avoided the upset of the year holding out a brave Panthers outfit by 17 points at Melton Recreation Reserve.

In tough conditions Dennis Armfield's touring party eventually wore down the hosts with a five-goal (12 behinds) to two second half, enough to walk away with the points and a relieving 'wipe of the brow' moment and fourth win of the season.

Cobras’ leading forward Jake Owen (three goals) was arguably the difference in the end given the final margin as the winless Panthers led by captain Cody Chapman put a scare through the hearts and minds of the Bacchus Marsh faithful who would have ticked this off as a win weeks in advance, despite having lost their last five games on the trot post their Round 7 bye.

Former Keilor junior Cameron Freake was named best afield for the winners ahead of Will Lalor, Jake Owen, Simon Lafranchi, Jack Kovacevic and Dennis Armfield.

Promising Panthers’ youngster Jarrod Bibby (two goals) landed in the best alongside Cody Chapman, Stuart Hobijn-Allen, Broden Collins, Jesse Geddes and the Geelong VFL listed Darby Schilder.

What the Panthers can claim given their struggles is their 'mini win' of the season - a first and second quarter win, culminating with a first half win.

Panthers’ coach Travis Hodgson had little time to savour the 'part' achievement, finding himself in with a real live chance of winning a game to the point of disappointment - unable to hang on after the main break.

Tough assignments await these two sides in Round 14 with the Cobras off to Mars Stadium to face North Ballarat while the Panthers journey cross-town for a local derby meet with Melton.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 60 hit outs, 17 disposals, 11 contested possessions

Cody Chapman (Melton South) - 30 disposals, 25 contested possessions, 13 clearances

Jack Kovacevic (Bacchus Marsh) - 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 12 intercept possessions

COACHES VERDICT
Travis Hodgson (Melton South)
"Our application was very good again, has been for a few weeks. Although we are lacking the weapons to win games, we won a couple of quarters today and led at the first three changes. Structurally we were sound and played with energy and intent and ticking the boxes that we set ourselves internally. (We) had long periods where we defended well and challenged them to defend us. Credit to the Marsh, they did what they had to do late to get it done."

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
"Tough conditions and a tough win. I was really pleased with our young group to find a way to win an arm wrestle. Melton South played a totally different brand to earlier in the year and for our boys to adjust and come away with a win is pleasing."