BFNL Review - Round 16, 2024

The Kangas extended their winning run to 13 games with a hard-fought win over a spirited, undermanned North Ballarat.

Seven unanswered goals in the opening term for the Kangas had this game, albeit on the scoreboard, put to bed.

Sure the 60-point margin validates some degrees of ease but credit to the young Roosters who were able to minimise the damage after half time.

The Kangas led by 56 points at the main break but were denied an ensuing blow out on the back of unquestionable effort.

With all respect to a depleted North Ballarat, the match up resembled boys v men on occasions as the Kangas went to work early.

Bryson McDougall was the beneficiary of the hosts early dominance with seven first half goals before finishing the day with eight.

Progressive forward Strahan Robinson looks well beyond his years with his imposing size, mobility and aerial presence proving a handful for the Roosters’ defence.

Robinson's impressive afternoon ended with four goals.

The bigger bodies of East Point all ended in the best players on a perfect day for football.

Mikitja Rottumah-Onus (Best), Billy Jones, Jordy Johnston, Joel Van Meel (199 games) all featured alongside McDougall and Robinson in a real display of quality depth from the Kangas.

Any number of up to 14-15 players could easily have landed without surprise.

For North Ballarat, there were encouraging signs in defeat.

Newcomer and former Cobra Joel Freeman booted five goals and joined Simon McCartin, Cam McCullum, Isaac Carey, Ned Nash and Taj McMillan at the pointy end for club voting discussions.

Again, the Roosters had just seven players from their 2023 Grand Final side and must be craving the returns of top end, more experienced stocks to support the wave of next gen talent currently flying the flag.

Kangas veteran Drew Murphy celebrated his 200th game in fine style kicking the last goal of the game to send the loyal and faithful social club into a frenzy. Bigman Joel Van Meel will play his 200th game this week against Sunbury.  

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Simon McCartin (North Ballarat) - 28 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 12 clearances

Bryson McDougall (East Point) - 21 disposals, 15 score involvements, 10 marks, 8 goals

Jackson Merrett (East Point) - 31 disposals, 9 marks, 7 intercept possessions

COACHES’ VERDICT
Joe Carmody (East Point)
"Terrific first quarter. We won all the key stats and set up the win. North (Ballarat) kept challenging us throughout the day and will be a handful come finals time."

Brendan McCartney (North Ballarat)
"Hard working and testing day for us. East (Point) are a very good side that make you compete every minute of the game. Our leaders were very good today. Young players are doing a mighty job for us and we are developing quickly. Looking forward to getting some troops back to support them."

Ballarat remains unbeaten since Round 10, following a testing win over Sebastopol at Marty Busch.

The win sees the Swans draw level on premiership points with fifth place North Ballarat.

Melton South (A) and East Point (H) will round out the Swans’ home and away season before a tilt at finals.

North Ballarat are at City Oval with Redan before a bye in Round 18.

The Burra started well, establishing a handy 10-point lead in front of home fans before the Swans used the quarter time break to reset.

The Swans not only regained the lead but went on with it through the middle stages to outscore the hosts 8.10 to 3.4.

Essentially 18 scoring shots to seven.

While the response from the Swans was pleasing for coach Chris Maple, you can't help but revisit the Swans’ inability to get 'bang for buck' on their opportunities despite Zak Rinaldi's game high four goals.

Clearly the young Swans remain a work in progress but when they click, they'll be dangerous, if not already given their leg speed, attack on the footy and greater aerial presence.

Connection is a season long wish for any coach.

For outgoing Maple, let's hope the Swans can find that connection - it could result in winning a final such is the scope and potential of the group.

The Swans’ midfielders are covering the ground and finding a heap of the footy at the right end of the season.

Paddy Simpson, Tristan Maple, Wyatt Squires, the Rinaldi brothers Lewis and Zak all thrived with their run, carry and distribution.

Bigman Marcus Powling, who is crucial in the Swans’ fortunes, was again a mainstay with his aerial combatants.

For the Burra, it was encouraging to see some new faces featuring among the best. Sam Wilkinson, Chase Dummett, Ben Hutt, Lachlan O'Keefe, Jack Bambury and Luke Phillips all earned the nod of approval.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Lewis Rinaldi (Ballarat) - 26 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 11 tackles

Tristan Maple (Ballarat) - 33 disposals, 8 marks, 8 intercept possessions

Lachlan Cassidy (Sebastopol) - 32 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 10 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT
Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)
"We started really well but eventually faded in the second half after losing a couple of key midfield rotations in the second quarter. We still could have controlled things a little better after this, however credit to Ballarat who move the ball with pace in the second half and put us under duress. We have come a long way this year and look forward to finishing the year off strong."

Chris Maple (Ballarat)
"Very proud of our young boys with today's performance. We wasted opportunities early but settled into a consistent four quarter effort. We were solid around the ball. but just need to tidy up some of our basic fundamentals as we move forward."

Melton has flexed its muscles with a dominant win over Bacchus Marsh at Maddingley Park.

Bloods’ leading goalkicker Braedan Kight was again the beneficiary of a weight of possession and forward 50 entries to be the standout with nine goals.

Usual suspects, more so dangerous support crew, didn't miss out either as Ryan Carter (four goals), Kyle Borg (four), Liam Carter (three) and Jordy Kight (three) added to Braedan's tally to finish with a combined 23 of 27 Bloods goals.

The quintet all feature in the BFNL's top 14 goalkickers for the season.

For the record, East Point are one shy matching the Bloods’ offensive weaponry on the goal front with four of the top 16.

When Bacchus Marsh led a lacklustre Bloods 15-14 midway through the first term something just clicked for the ladder leaders who went into overdrive as they piled on 25 goals to five for the remainder of the game to make yet another compelling 'action' statement to the broader competition.

Since half time of the Bloods emotional fuelled win over Sunbury in Round 10, Troy Scoble’s connected group have lost just one quarter. It was the Bloods’ eighth score of 100 or more, only East Point have done it more in '24 (nine).

The Cobras’ chances were slim at best heading in - the Bloods inclusion of North Melbourne VFL star Jack Watkins didn't help their cause either as he and brother Lachie featured prominently in the best ahead of a host of contributors including Jaykob Hickey, Lachlan Walker and their headache handful of match winning forwards.

Consistent, hardworking Cobra Jake Owen (three goals) was named best for the hosts as Tyson Shea made a safe return from a layoff to lead the overwhelming battle of resistance.

Shea too was prominent as he always is while Cameron Freake (two goals), Ethan McKercher, Will Lalor and Josh Huxtable rated credible mentions.

The Bloods look primed for another 'fill-up' on the road against the Lakers while the Cobras host Darley in their last game at Maddingley Park for the season.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Jaycob Hickey (Melton) - 36 disposals, 15 score involvements, 12 clearances

Braedan Kight (Melton) - 18 disposals, 15 score involvements, 9 marks, 9 goals

Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 87 hitouts, 11 disposals, 7 marks, 

COACHES’ VERDICT
Dennis Armfield (Bacchus Marsh)
"The scoreboard doesn't fully represent the game. We had some very good patches of play against a top-class team in the comp. Our method works when we can execute. Unfortunately, fumbles and execution of inside 50's hurt us on turnover. Melton were able to make the most of their moments and this is great learnings for our young lads. (I) couldn't question our effort."

Troy Scoble (Melton)
"Great to play footy in good weather. Much respect for what Bacchus Marsh are building, lots of top end young talent. We were scratchy in all phases early off the bye, our contest got us into the game and remained strong all game. We're a lot more effective in the second half and was pleased with how we ran the game out. Really proud of the club and being part of five sets of brothers playing senior footy. Look forward to another Ballarat trip next week as we build to finals."                 

Redan's run of four straight losses has come to end with an entertaining 24-point win over a plucky Melton South.

Lions’ key forwards Lachie Bond (six goals) and Grant Bell (five) proved the difference, clearly two match ups beyond the Panthers.

Travis Hodgson's touring party can take solace in the fact they won the second half in isolation 9.5 to 9.3 and recorded their highest total score since Round 7, 2022 (vs Sebastopol) some 39 BFNL matches ago.

Regardless of the humble margin, Lions’ coach Gary Learmonth saw the positives in the aftermath paying tribute to Lachie George, Bond and Bell especially for standing up and leading the team in the absence of club leading possession getter, Khy Jess, who left the field early.

Other notables to feature in the best players from the Lions camp were Liam Farnsworth, Jacob Short and Xavier Gleeson.

Jarrod Bibby enjoyed a team high four goals for the Panthers, while Nathan Gemmell, Mitch Fino and Ryder Rousch were the other multiple goal kickers on the day.

Hodgson's young group return home this week to host Ballarat while Redan remain at City Oval and will endeavour to upset North Ballarat who have endured a mounting injury list for the most part of the season.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Cody Chapman (Melton South) - 37 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 13 clearances

Lachlan George (Redan) - 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 11 score involvements

Lachlan Bond (Redan) - 16 disposals, 11 marks, 10 score involvements, 6 goals

COACHES’ VERDICT
Gary Learmonth (Redan)
"A great day for the footy club celebrating 'Chip Barker's 300th club game. Great to have so many past premiership players back at the club. Proud of the boys against a determined (Melton) South side. We were challenged went Khy Jess went off early. (Lachie) George and (Lachie) Bond led an invested group to sing the song for the first time in a while."

Travis Hodgson (Melton South)
"After our worst performance for the season last week we produced our best on Saturday. We were dominant around stoppage, and we had some really good passages in transition. Although we defended pretty well as a team, we had no answers for Lachie Bond and Grant Bell who combined for 11 goals. They were the clear difference in the four-goal loss. Probably the two youngest teams in the comp with 12 underage kids each running around. Credit to Redan being able to win five games this season with so many kids."

The Devils moved into third place on the BFNL table after a convincing runaway win over Sunbury at Darley Park.

To the eye, it was arguably the reigning premiers most impressive performance since their season opening win over East Point. 

With just two home and away rounds left, the win couldn't have come at a better time for Dan Jordan's men.

Inevitably questions would be answered.

Could Sunbury manufacture the connection in their back half that has been a feature, in the absence of Jack Hannett, Jordan Tentonello and Jack Newitt? The scoreline, to a degree, confirmed the concerns.

The Devils’ score of 121 was the highest of any recorded against the Lions this year.

As for Darley, what was under the bonnet given a host of changes in just their fifth game in 10 weeks?

Could they run out a four-quarter game against a top six opposition and not be overran as they were against the Lions at their previous meet? 

As for the bonnet, that did generate a few surprises.

Wil Johnson booted five goals in his first outing since June 1st while Alex Sweet delivered with four crucial majors to follow his SOS inclusion for Leigh Spiteri (finger).

Furthermore, the Devils silenced any short-term speculation they were vulnerable late with a nine-goals-to-one final quarter blitz. 

Johnson and Sweet duly landed among the best players alongside in form defender Matthew Brett, Vic Metro ruckman Lucas Impey, and the Matricardi brothers Riley and Darcy.

Brett Bewley also returned to finish the leading possession winner on the ground with 42. Ironically, that came as a little surprise.

For Sunbury, leading forwards Jake Sutton (four) and Mitch McLean (two) combined for six of the Lions’ eight goals.

Brock Landt, Cody Bramble, Josh Guthrie, Ben Eales, Riley Miller and Sutton all finished among the best, keeping the visitors within touch up until three quarter time before the flood gates opened.

The Lions have little time to lament as the focus shifts to East Point on Saturday in the BFNL’s Match of the Round with LIVE commentary and vision from 2PM. The Devils face crosstown rivals Bacchus Marsh.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Brett Bewley (Darley) - 42 disposals, 11 marks, 10 rebound 50s

Lucas Impey (Darley) - 62 hit outs, 16 disposals, 12 tackles

Josh Guthrie (Sunbury) - 27 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 6 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT
Dan Jordan (Darley)
"Very pleased with the boys especially in the second half when we were able to kick away against a quality side."

Matt White (Sunbury)
"Great game to watch for three quarters, then Darley put us away. Disappointing we couldn't finish off the way we did last time but that's footy. We'll regroup and review and get ready for this week."