BFNL Review - Round 14, 2024

North Ballarat earned a much-needed percentage boost with a runaway 77-point win over Bacchus Marsh at Mars Stadium.

Following an underwhelming arm wrestle of sorts in the opening half, the Roosters raised the bar after the main break with an impressive 13-goals-to-three finish leaving the Cobras in their wake, a class above.

Let's not forget the Roosters (on paper) currently resemble a mere shadow of their 2023 grand final side.

In fact, just eight players from that side ran out against the Cobras.

Of the 14 players absent, 13 remain North Ballarat listed players unavailable due to injury, unavailability or VFL duties.  

One player that did run out was Simon McCartin, for the 200th time.

McCartin has been a constant in the Roosters line-up for many years now and received his just deserves with a post-game acknowledgement from both teams.

Former Cobra Joel Freeman starred in his third game in new colors with a game high five goals, ensuring McCartin got the dream result on his 200th.

Freeman spent his time rotating forward and, in the ruck, proving a thorn against his old side the longer the game went.

McCartin (best) and Freeman led a dominate second half for the hosts ahead of Joshua Sparkman, Tom Bromley-Lynch, Malachi White and Sam Artz who rarely play a bad game.

For the Cobras, there was obvious disappointment in the wash-up given they had a moment in front on the scoreboard in the second term before the flood gates opened.

A 17-goal concede given the Wintery nature of the conditions wouldn't sit comfortably with Cobras’ coach Dennis Armfield despite the efforts of a handful troops who led the resistance attempt.

Second gamer Leo Nixon showed plenty of promise to be named best ahead of Armfield, Jack Kovacevic, Josh Huxtable, Will Lalor and Isaac Nixon.

The Cobras have lost six of their last seven games and should soak up the bye while the Roosters are off to Alfredton Oval for a tricky assignment with Ballarat.  

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Joshua Sparkman (North Ballarat) - 39 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 11 score involvements

Malachi White (North Ballarat) - 27 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 10 clearances

Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 73 hit outs, 15 disposals, 7 score involvements

COACHES’ VERDICT
Brendan McCartney (North Ballarat)
"Another step in the right direction after two challenging weeks in tough, contested games. Our young boys continue to grow and learn. Plenty to like and plenty to work. The whole club did a great job in celebrating our Captain Simon McCartin's 200th game. It was great recognition for a club icon. Thanks to Bacchus Marsh for their acknowledgement at games end."

Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
"It was a tale of two halves unfortunately. Thirty minutes of footy cost us again. It's changes in momentum, confidence and execution. Our young list is learning a lot about moments in games. We tried different styles and a small skill error hurt us on turnover, but they were having a crack."

Ballarat look set for a return to finals after moving three games and percentage clear of seventh with a 32-point win over the Lakers.

If not for a six-goals-to-one blitz from the Swans in the second term, the BFNL’s ‘Match of the Round’ did live up to the billing - an otherwise even affair full of contested ball and skillful moments played under trying conditions.

In fairness, CE Brown Reserve (except for the cricket square) was a firm deck, allowing players to run on top of the ground and execute the fundamentals without excuse, for the most part.

The Swans led narrowly at the first change before Lakers’ debutant Monty Maloney kicked truly to get the hosts within a point.

Special moments like these can trigger a spark in momentum but the Swans were quick to put an end to such theory with an emphatic response of their own with three goals in three minutes to rattle Rohan Brown's group, silencing the loyal band of faithful onlookers in the process.

The Lakers simply went missing for 30 minutes on the back of an ailing work rate without the ball.

The result, the punishment evidently, a 41-point half time deficit. Credit to the Swans, they look more organised than I’ve seen in recent outings.

Their intent and attack on the footy gives every indication the once young Swans are not shy on belief either.  

After the main break, a rejuvenated Lakers returned with the type of effort and work rate that has earned the praises of rival coaches throughout the season.

Brown would have been happy winning the second half 6.3 to 4.6 but left lamenting another 'sleep at the wheel' quarter.

For Maple and his Swans, their display showed enough to confirm their win over top three contenders Sunbury in Round 11 was no fluke.

While there was plenty to like, the Lakers response in the second half grounded any thoughts for the Swans getting ahead of themselves.

It’s essentially back to work for the Swans.

If they can get it right for longer, their best is capable of testing another top six team sooner rather than later.

Harry Butler (Swans) and Bailey Thompson (Lakers) shared game high honours on the scoreboard with three goals while Butler got the nod of approval from the Swans camp as best on ground ahead of Jack O'Brien, Will Garner, Tristan Maple and Rhys Perry.

For the Lakers, Phoenix James impressed all afternoon and never gave up competing with his front half pressure ahead of Jaydo Wright and the Helyar boys, Braedyn and Cody.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Angus Gove (Lake Wendouree) - 31 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 14 intercept possessions

Tom Mooney (Ballarat) - 23 disposals, 9 clearances, 9 score involvements

Zak Rinaldi (Ballarat) - 27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 9 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT
Rohan Brown (Lake Wendouree)
"Another frustrating day. I thought we were fantastic for three quarters of the game. (In) the second quarter we went away from what we wanted to do and how we wanted to play footy - "fell asleep at the wheel!" Credit to Ballarat they took full advantage and won the game in that period. Once we fixed a few things up and the boys got back to cracking in, our contest was much better."

Chris Maple (Ballarat)
"Credit to Lakers today, they applied a lot of source pressure on the ball and at times, controlled stoppage. I thought we just did enough during the game. Our second quarter was encouraging but we didn't put the game away at any point. (We) must learn from that."

Ladder leaders Melton put on another clinical display taking care of cross-town rivals Melton South at MacPherson Park.

With the result deemed inevitable ahead of the opening bounce given the two sides contrasting seasons, it was more a matter of how far the Bloods.

Troy Scoble's men continue to ramp up the pressure on the back of undeniable efficiency on the scoreboard.

The Bloods rank #1 in the competition for accuracy (62.8%) and two for shots on goal (average per game) behind East Point.

Conversion on goal is considered one of the most underrated stats in the game by many coaches, an area Scoble would surely be proud of his group thus far.

Only twice this season in the Bloods’ 13 games to date have they kicked more behinds than goals - extraordinary effort, now deservedly recognised.

While it poses an ominous sign for future opposition, it does serve as a prime example to replicate.

Saturday was Jordan Kight's day out in front of the big sticks with a game high six goals, ahead of Liam Carter four goals and as many as ten other Bloods to hit the scoreboard.

Jordy's returns were enough to earn him 'best on ground ' honours.

The six-goal haul catapulted the dangerous small forward into 10th place for the Tony Lockett Medal with 24 goals. Dare I add, 35 goals behind leader and brother Braedan Kight on 59 goals!

It's worth noting, acknowledging the powerful Melton machine if only for a moment - all but one of their players from the weekend are 'one pointers'. Remarkable.

Lachie Watkins and Jaycob Hickey continued with their excellent block of recent work to feature alongside Jordy Kight, Liam Carter, Blake Souter and Adrian Monitto.

For the Panthers, their struggles against the old enemy continue.

Not since 2017 have the Panthers enjoyed a win over the rampant Bloods.

Despite the gulf in class, and one sided scoreline, coach Travis Hodgson praised the efforts of Broden Collins, John Kovarik, Jarrod Bibby, Darby Schilder, Lachlan Peterson and Cody Chapman (one goal).        

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Broden Collins (Melton South) - 73 hit outs, 24 disposals, 24 contested possessions

Jaycob Hickey (Melton) - 25 disposals, 12 tackles, 12 score involvements

Lachlan Watkins (Melton) - 24 disposals, 10 marks, 10 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT
Troy Scoble (Melton)
"Defensive side of the game strong, which was pleasing. (The game provided us with the) opportunity to work on strategies to penetrate large numbers of opposition players inside our forward 50. We did this well at times and other times average. Every week no matter the result, or how opposition try to play against us, is a learning opportunity and we will treat the game as that."  

Travis Hodgson (Melton South)
"Obviously out of our depth against a very good side but was again pleased with the way we competed. Shrinking losing margins significantly second time around so we are making progress. Shout out to the eight boys that played two games and never stopped trying. Looking forward to next week v Sunbury with a goal to keep building our brand and also get closer than we did in Round 2."

Undermanned Darley held off a late challenge from Sebastopol to keep their top three chances alive.

Despite the Devils winning each of the opening three quarters, very little separated the two sides at Darley Park in a low scoring affair.

Progressive young Devil Adam Azzopardi rose to prominence in the absence of star midfielder Brett Bewley to be named best afield ahead of solid leaders Matthew Brett, Luther Baker and Matty Denham.

Devils’ utility Riley Matricardi made it two solid contributions on the bounce to earn another landing in the best players alongside 10 gamer Jack Crawford.

With goals coming at a premium, a barely recognisable Devils’ front six toiled manfully on their way to seven goals which surprisingly, proved enough.

Harley Inglis ended as the sole multiple goal scorer for the winners finishing with two majors.

The win saw the Devils move back into third place ahead of Sunbury who have a game in hand.

While it was the fifth consecutive win for Dan Jordan's Devils over the Burra, you could argue, none have been more important, or satisfying for that matter, than Saturday's five point 'backs to the walls' success.    

The Burra’s winning chances suffered a major setback early, losing key playmaker Luke Kiel who was taken from the field in the first quarter with a suspected hyper extension of the knee that will likely sideline the experienced, popular utility.

Tony Lockyer made it a sixth 'best on' for the Burra in his last nine games ahead of Lachie Cassidy, Jack Bambury, Jacob Wilkinson, Ben Hutt and Jed Hill.

Cooper Littlehales was the leading contributor on the scoreboard for the visitors with his two goals.

Unfortunately for the Burra, their finals chances are next to slim with Ballarat a near certainty to hold the prized sixth spot, now three games and percentage clear of seventh.

The Burra host Redan next week while the Devils savour a timely bye to rally the troops ahead of a showdown with Sunbury in Round 16.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Lachlan Cassidy (Sebastopol) - 42 disposals, 11 clearances, 11 tackles

Matthew Brett (Darley) - 23 disposals, 10 intercept possessions, 10 1%ers

Matt Denham (Darley) - 30 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT
Dan Jordan (Darley)
"Very pleased. We had 22 contributors in a very high-pressure game today. Having 7 or 8 players with 10 games or less under their belts was always going to be challenging against a well led, improving Sebastopol. Our focus was always for a 'team effort' response. Rapt to get the result."

Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
"Disappointed but proud of the fight late to nearly get there. (I) felt we were on top especially in the first, just didn't capitilise on our opportunities which caught up with us later. Down a key rotation early losing Luke Kiel (first quarter) hurt, our boys dug deep to grind it out. A lot of respect for Dan and Darley - backs against the wall and they came away with it. (They) showed their class without key cattle. Wish them all the best for their finals campaign. Our journey continues - we have come a long way this year. We dust ourselves off and we go again next week."