A big round of footy was highlight with Anzac Day football while Saturday saw old rivals go head-to-head across the league.
Lake Wendouree
def. by
Ballarat
For the second year running, Lake Wendouree and Ballarat came together for their standalone Anzac Day clash.
Both sides united for a touching Anzac Ceremony, standing shoulder to shoulder for the Ode and Last Post – a moving reminder of the privilege of playing footy on such a significant day.
From the first bounce, it was clear it would be a tough slog.
The wet conditions made clean footy tricky, but it was the Lakers who started well, getting the early jump before the Swans found their rhythm with two quick goals.
A late goal to the home side saw them take a 2-point lead at the first break – the first time they’d been in front at quarter time all season.
But from the nine-minute mark of the second quarter onwards, it was all Ballarat. A 30-0 second term from the Swans laid the foundation for the win.
A scrappy third quarter saw both sides kick 2.2 each, but Ballarat managed to edge further ahead in the final term to finish with a 38-point victory.
For Lake Wendouree, Brayden Helyar stood tall across half-back, pulling in several intercept marks in the slippery conditions. Co-captain Angus Gove was another standout for the Lakers, finding plenty of the footy and using it well when the game was at its messiest.
With plenty of stoppages, Tom Zampatti had a day out in the ruck, finishing with 103 hit-outs. Whilst a standout stat, only 9 to advantage will be something the Lakers will look to tidy up moving forward.
For Ballarat, Lewis Rinaldi was at his best, with attack on the footy. There was also plenty to like about the debut of Ethan Drever, who, with the GWV Rebels having the week off, pulled on the Swans jumper and looked right at home with 20 disposals and 11 hard ball gets.
Both sides will welcome the extra day of recovery before tough tasks next week – Ballarat hosting Sunbury, and Lake Wendouree gearing up for Darley at home.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Lewis Rinaldi (Ballarat) - 25 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 8 clearances
Angus Gove (Lake Wendouree) - 19 disposals, 6 clearances, 6 rebound 50s
Noah Drever (Ballarat) - 28 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 6 rebound 50s
East Point
def.
Redan
It had been three years since East Point had sung the song after a win over Redan at home — but on Saturday, they got to do just that.
To give themselves a shot at the upset, Redan needed a fast start — and they delivered. The Lions kept East Point to just one point in the opening quarter and took a 24-point lead into the first break.
The momentum continued early into the second term, but once East Point clicked into gear around the 10-minute mark, the game started to shift.
By half-time, the Roos had bounced back and found themselves four points up.
From there, it was all East Point. A dominant 46-14 third quarter saw the home side blow the margin out, eventually cruising to a 44-point win.
Matt Johnston’s move forward was the spark the Roos needed. The skipper booted five goals, giving his side a focal point in attack.
Jackson Merrett was again influential all over the ground, continuing his strong start to the season.
For Redan, Khy Jess led from the front with a strong showing around the ball.
Jake Connolly had a day out statistically, leading the League in contested possessions, groundball gets, and loose ball gets for the round — a huge effort despite the result.
Unfortunately, injuries continue to bite both clubs.
Redan lost the experienced Grant Bell in Round 2, and now East Point have their own concern with youngster Paddy Hannaford going down with a shoulder injury.
Both Joe Carmody and Gary Learmonth will be forced to tinker with their lineups heading into the next few weeks.
East Point will enjoy a well-earned bye this weekend, while Redan face an important clash against fellow winless side Sebastopol — a crucial game for both clubs' seasons.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Matt Johnston (East Point) - 28 disposals, 13 marks, 5 goals
Jake Connolly (Redan) - 28 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 8 clearances
Liam Howard (East Point) - 22 disposals, 9 marks, 7 rebound 50s
Darley
def.
Bacchus Marsh
The first local derby of the year promised to be a beauty — and while Darley eventually ran away 29-point winners, the contest itself didn’t disappoint.
Leading into Saturday, it had been Bacchus Marsh with the strong first-half form, and Darley known for storming home late.
True to the trend, both sides went toe-to-toe through the first half, with the Devils holding a narrow 7-point lead at the main break.
But once again, it was the third quarter where Darley stamped their authority. A dominant 37-12 third term blew the game open, giving the visitors all the breathing room they needed.
The Cobras fought hard in the last, but couldn’t quite capitalise on their chances, finishing with 2.5 to Darley's 2.2 in the final term.
Tarkyn Findlay was a standout for the Cobras in the loss, with Luke Goetz continuing to be a massive presence around the ground — chalking up 68 hit-outs and 20 disposals.
Up forward, Jake Owen kept his form rolling, slotting another four goals to take his season tally to 17.
For the Devils, skipper Brett Bewley led from the front yet again, named best on ground.
He and Nick Hind were everywhere, combining for a mammoth 81 disposals and 40 contested possessions between them.
Up forward, Will Johnson continued to make life hard for defenders, adding another four majors after booting six the previous week.
The Cobras will want to see some improvement in their contested possessions – an area that Darley were far too strong in.
Bacchus Marsh will now enjoy a bye to reset, while Darley look to keep their momentum building when they face the winless Lake Wendouree next weekend.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Brett Bewley (Darley) - 40 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 11 clearances
Luke Goetz (Bacchus Marsh) - 68 hit outs, 20 disposals, 8 clearances
Nick Hind (Darley) - 41 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 9 inside 50s
Sebastopol
def. by
Melton
Despite sitting at 0-3, Sebastopol should hold their heads high after giving Melton their biggest scare of the season so far.
The reigning premiers jumped out of the gates early, making the most of the breeze in the first quarter and looking set for a comfortable win up until the 18-minute mark of the second.
A strong start saw the visitors build what looked like a match-winning lead.
Melton's scoring slowed in a scrappy third term, but with a 33-point lead at the final break, the result seemed inevitable.
But the Burra had other ideas.
The home side came out swinging in the last, slotting the first two goals of the quarter and dragging the margin back to just nine points. But the game was too close to the end, with Melton kicking one more to eventually claim a 16-point win.
Jack Bambury was a standout for Sebastopol, racking up 41 disposals and even chiming in for a goal.
Lachlan Cassidy once again did what he does best — working tirelessly around the ground to claim another best-on-ground performance.
It’s another sign that Sebastopol can genuinely match it with the best — already giving East Point and now Melton all they could handle, despite not yet getting a win on the board.
And doing all that with coach and key player Tony Lockyer sidelined early with an arm injury? It shows this Burra side isn’t far off when it all clicks.
For Melton, while their accuracy in front of goal was off compared to usual, their ability to generate scoring shots remained a strength.
After interrupted seasons the past two years, Harrison Hanley impressed on the wing, while Jaycob Hickey was everywhere again — tallying 36 disposals and applying plenty of pressure across the ground.
Sebastopol now prepare for a big clash against fellow winless side Redan, while Melton will look to stay unbeaten when they face North Ballarat, who’ll be desperate for a win.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Jaycob Hickey (Melton) - 36 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 15 clearances
Lachlan Cassidy (Sebastopol) - 29 disposals, 11 marks, 6 tackles
Adrian Monitto (Melton) - 30 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 6 marks
Sunbury
def.
North Ballarat
Once again, when it comes to Sunbury and North Ballarat, it’s the home side that comes out on top.
The Lions absolutely owned the first half, putting on a clinic to lead 61–5 at the main break. For North, being stuck on 0.5 at half time was pretty much a worst-case scenario.
To their credit, Clint Proctor’s Roosters found some fight in the third quarter.
Hugh Trigg needed less than two minutes to finally get a goal on the board, with Nathan Jolly adding another soon after. North even managed to win the third term, but the damage was well and truly done by then.
The home side held their nerve to edge the final quarter and run out comfortable 48-point winners.
Jake Egan was everywhere for the Lions, finishing with plenty of touches and three goals to his name in a best-on-ground performance.
Josh Guthrie also had a huge impact, giving Sunbury plenty of area with his work rate and boot.
For the Roosters, Elliott Lamb stood tall in a tough day to be named their best, while Brock Leonard kept himself busy around the contest.
North Ballarat now turns their attention to a massive test against Melton, with some serious work needed on their efficiency — particularly their kicking in under pressure.
Meanwhile, Sunbury will take a big confidence boost from the win but will need to lift again as they prepare to take on the in-form Ballarat.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Josh Guthrie (Sunbury) - 36 disposals, 9 marks, 6 clearances
Jake Egan (Sunbury) - 34 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 8 clearances
Elliot Lamb (North Ballarat) - 25 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 11 clearances
