Catch up on all the action of the weekend as Round 2 saw a full roster of games back on the fixture with plenty of enthralling contests all across the league.
North Ballarat
def. by
East Point
Two of the competitions better contested ball winning teams fronted up at Mars Stadium on Saturday in a hotly fought battle.
It was East Point (130 contested possessions) though who were able to get the better of North Ballarat (129 contested possessions) in the latter half of the game.
Whilst North Ballarat slightly had the upper hand for clearances, Mikitija Rotumah-Onus was a standout for the Roos through the middle. Meanwhile, Paddy Hannaford was solid in repelling attacks out of defence, named as his sides best on ground for the day.
East Point’s Joel Van Meel topped the hit outs across Round 2 games, contributing 57 to the Roos’ 81 total for the day.
Denver Grainger-Barrass’s work in the backline limited the impact of East Point’s forward line, taking nine intercept marks as a loose intercept backman.
Hugh Trigg and Brock Leonard had control of the play in the first half of the game as North entered the half time break down by just 5-points. However, it was Jackson Merrett and Jordan Johnston who swung control back to the Roos, pushing out to a 22-point win.
North will enter the Easter Break with full focus on their tough ask of meeting Sunbury at Clarke Oval.
East Point on the other hand will no doubt have a light week on the track after Saturday’s gruelling conditions, as they suit up against Bacchus Marsh in one of two Good Friday blockbusters.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Jacob Brown (East Point) - 27 disposals, 11 marks, 11 intercept possessions
Jordan Johnston (East Point) - 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 8 clearances
Denver Grainger-Barass (North Ballarat) 16 disposals, 12 intercept possessions, 11 marks
Lake Wendouree
def. by
Melton
It was a big ask for the young Lake Wendouree side to face an experienced Melton outfit in their second game for the year.
But credit to the Lakers crew, who besides a third quarter blow out, remained quite competitive with the reigning premiers.
A handy inclusion in Jake Lohman was a huge boost for home side.
In his return to the BFNL, the speedster was influential around loose balls and in the contest. His appearance was useful for young ruckman Tom Zampatti, who after a tough ask in the season opener was solid in the ruck with 49 hit outs to his name and best on ground honours.
Despite the effort from the home side, I was Melton’s day from the start of the second quarter onwards. In the tough conditions the Bloods piled on 20 goals for the day, half of which were contributed by faithfuls Braeden Kight (6 goals) and Jordan Kight (5 goals).
After featuring in Footscray’s first two VFL games of the season, Billy Crofts (27 disposals, 17 contested possessions) had a day out in his first game for the Bloods since 2022 to be named the away sides best on.
Both sides will enjoy the Easter break this weekend before looking ahead to their Round 3 clashes.
The Lakers will have all eyes on their first win of the season against the off to a good start Ballarat Swans and in contrast, Melton will take on the not so off to a good start Sebastopol.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Jacob Lohmann (Lake Wendouree) - 32 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 9 clearances
Blake Souter (Melton) - 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 10 score involvements
Billy Crofts (Melton) - 27 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 8 score involvements
Darley
def.
Sunbury
It looked to be on track for the perfect start to the season for Sunbury at Darley Park.
However, an impressive second half of football saw Darley bounce back from their first round defeat to secure the win.
The home side trailed by 26-points at quarter time with only 3-points to their name, shortening the margin to 19-points at half-time thanks to three goals.
Dan Jordan’s Devils came alive in the third quarter to put themselves four-points up heading into the fourth and the push didn’t stop there for the Devils who managed to keep the burners on and grow the margin out to 17-points at the final siren.
Will Johnson earnt best on ground honours after slotting 6 goals for the home side.
Billy Myers showed his impact across the ground to be named the side’s second best, followed by the ever so reliable Brett Bewley.
For the Lions it was Jordan Tentonello who made the biggest impact in his second year at the Club.
In addition, Sunbury faithfuls Harry Power and Cody Bramble were able to provide the side some consistency throughout the gruelling conditions.
Sunbury will too be doing everything they can to get their squad right for their Good Friday clash against Redan.
Darley will breathe a sigh of relief as they have the weekend off, before looking to tackle Bacchus Marsh who sit 2-0.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Brett Bewley (Darley) - 38 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 9 clearances
Billy Myers (Darley) - 29 disposals, 12 marks, 11 intercept possessions
Tyson Lever (Sunbury) - 24 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, 10 marks
Redan
def. by
Bacchus Marsh
A strong start and even stronger finish was the point of difference in Bacchus Marsh taking back-to-back wins to start the season.
The Cobras jumped out to a 21-point lead at quarter time, before Redan brought the margin back to just 1-point at three quarter time.
Jake McCreery was again influential on the stats sheet with plenty of ball in hand (34 disposals), while 200-game veteran Simon Lafranchi showed consistency across the entire game though to be named his side’s best.
In just his fourth Senior game, youngster Zach Lang was a standout at half back for the Lions, alongside Rory Gunsser (32 disposals), the duo were crucial in keeping the game within reach.
With the last quarter exceeding a whopping 38-minutes, it was the Cobras who ran away with the 19-point win thanks to a 42 – 24 last term.
Both teams will have just five days turnaround before their next matches, with the two clubs playing in Good Friday games.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Jake McCreery (Bacchus Marsh) - 34 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 14 tackles
Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 42 hit outs, 18 disposals, 14 contested possessions
Rory Gunsser (Redan) - 32 disposals, 8 rebound 50s. 8 score involvements
Sebastopol
def. by
Ballarat
Sebastopol will be entering the Easter Break in the least bit ideal situation after they start 0-2 for the 2025 season.
After a competitive and promising opener against East Point, Sebastopol were anticipated to take confidence into their second game of the season.
It looked like just that after the first quarter, where the Burra flew out to a 10-point lead.
It was soon an hour of footy the Burra will want to forget after scoring just 21-points throughout the second and third quarter to Ballarat’s 70. Sebastopol managed just 7 marks inside 50 for the game, whilst Ballarat notched up an impressive 24.
Lachlan Cassidy was well and truly a standout for the Burra, topping the leader board for the round across five areas. 40 disposals to his name along with 23 contested possessions, it was Cassidy and coach Tony Lockyer (30 disposals) who kept their side in the game.
After sending a message with their season opening draw against a quality North line up, Ballarat have continued to make their mark early on the competition.
Paddy Simpson enjoyed another impressive day out racking up 37 disposals and getting plenty of boot to ball. In his second full season of Senior football, Ben Wardley was a highlight for the Swans, as well as Tristan Maple who was a very handy addition to the side after two weeks in the VFL.
Ballarat will enjoy sitting fourth on the ladder and divert all attention to their Anzac Day clash against Lake Wendouree. Meanwhile, the road for Sebas may not get any easier as they gear up to take on Melton after the break.
STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE
Lachlan Cassidy (Sebastopol) - 40 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 12 clearances
Paddy Simpson (Ballarat) - 37 disposals, 13 marks, 10 inside 50s
Tristan Maple (Ballarat) - 28 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 9 intercept possessions
