Tight wins over the weekend saw songs sung for the first time this season, while other dominate performances had the contenders flexing their muscles on the competition.
Melton
def.
North Ballarat
It had been eight long years since North Ballarat last defeated Melton at Macpherson Park, and for a moment on Saturday, it looked like that record might finally fall — but the Bloods held firm to escape with a tense 3-point win.
Determined to make amends for a poor start in Round 3, the Roosters came out with purpose, leading at both quarter and half-time breaks.
They limited Melton’s usually potent inside 50 output and brought intensity to the contest.
But the reigning premiers showed their class after half-time, taking control with a trademark third-quarter surge.
Taj McMillan sparked the comeback with a goal from just outside 50 early in the final term, before Hugh Trigg’s snap midway through the quarter put the Roosters back in front.
But a turnover, finished cleanly by Luke Heaney, restored Melton’s lead, followed by Braeden Kight’s third goal to give the hosts breathing room.
A sharp finish from Mal White brought the margin back to three points, and while both sides had late chances, neither could land the knockout blow in the final four minutes.
North Ballarat may rue first quarter in front of goal — their five behinds proving the difference in an otherwise even contest.
They successfully reduced Melton’s dominance getting the ball inside 50, but the Bloods’ composure and clean forward craft still shone through when it mattered.
Harrison Hanley provided plenty of defensive pressure to earn best-on honours for the Bloods.
He combined well with Adrian Monitto, who racked up plenty of possessions in the back half.
For the Roosters, Mal White was the standout, with a strong two-way performance and plenty of big moments in the final term.
Melton breathe a sigh of relief to stay unbeaten and now prepare for a Redan side fresh off its first win.
North Ballarat will aim to break through for their first win of the season against a rested Bacchus Marsh outfit.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Mal White (North Ballarat) - 28 disposals, 9 inside 50s, 9 score involvements
Lachlan Watkins (Melton) - 26 disposals, 13 marks. 6 rebound 50s
Adrian Monitto (Melton) - 33 disposals, 11 marks, 9 intercept possessions
Ballarat
def. by
Sunbury
Sunbury have flipped the script on Ballarat with a statement 64-point win, fuelled by a dominant third quarter that completely dismantled the Swans’ hopes of an unbeaten run into 2025.
The Lions had some unfinished business after their last clash with Ballarat ended their 2024 finals campaign — and they showed it early.
Capitalising on the Swans’ trend of slow starts, the visitors jumped to a 17-point lead at quarter time.
Ballarat found a brief spark late in the second, with back-to-back goals from Lewis Rinaldi dragging the margin back to within reach at the main break.
But any momentum Ballarat had was utterly crushed after half-time.
With third quarters previously flagged as a concern, Sunbury responded forcefully, delivering a 61-7 demolition in the premiership term.
Their ball use was clean, their pressure relentless, and their forward line on.
By three-quarter time, the game was decided.
Statistically, the two sides weren’t worlds apart in areas like clearances and intercepts — but Sunbury’s advantage in contested possession and inside 50s made it clear what team was in control.
Jake Egan was unstoppable, bagging five goals and leading the round for contested possessions, while showcasing his strength under pressure.
Jake Sutton also added five majors in a commanding forward effort that left Ballarat’s defence scrambling.
For the Swans, Rinaldi continued his strong form with three goals and 31 disposals, while Harry Butler again battled hard in the ruck and across the ground to finish with 24 touches.
The road ahead doesn’t get easier for Ballarat as they face the high-flying Darley. Sunbury, meanwhile, return to Clarke Oval for a blockbuster showdown with East Point.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Jake Egan (Sunbury) - 32 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 12 tackles
Harry Power (Sunbury) - 36 disposals, 11 tackles, 11 clearances
Lewis Rinaldi (Ballarat) - 31 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 14 clearances
Redan
def.
Sebastopol
It was a clash between two winless sides desperate to get their seasons moving — and in a game that ebbed and flowed, it was Redan who came out on top, holding on for a 2-point win at home.
The lead changed hands across every quarter except the last, with neither side able to break away. Redan held narrow leads at each break, thanks largely to their composure under pressure and an edge in both tackling intensity and inside 50s.
Sebastopol trailed by eight points late in the final term and gave themselves one last chance when Hugo Papst marked strongly inside 50. But the siren sounded seconds later, and his goal after the siren only served to trim the margin.
The Burra led the disposal count and were strong at ground level, but Redan’s pressure game and ability to move the ball forward more consistently proved decisive.
Horsham recruit Brody Pope starred for the Lions, collecting 38 disposals and a goal in a best-on-ground performance.
Rory Gunsser was again influential in transition, and Jake Connolly continued his outstanding form, adding another complete performance to his season tally.
Sebastopol’s Jack Bambury was massive, picking up 39 disposals and showing great reading of the play with multiple intercept marks.
Ash Munari was a much-needed target up forward, finishing with a game-high four goals and multiple scoring involvements to keep the Burra in it.
Redan will look to carry this momentum into their daunting clash with the undefeated Melton next week, while Sebastopol get another chance to notch a win against the fellow winless Lake Wendouree.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Jack Bambury (Sebastopol) - 39 disposals, 15 rebound 50s, 10 intercept possessions
Brody Pope (Redan) - 38 disposals, 9 clearances, 9 score involvements
Rory Gunsser (Redan) - 30 disposals, 9 intercept possessions, 7 rebound 50s
Lake Wendouree
def. by
Darley
For the opening 25 minutes, it looked like the Lakers might be up for the fight. Both teams traded blows in a balanced first quarter, heading into the first break locked at 3.2 apiece. But from there, Darley flicked the switch — and Lake Wendouree couldn’t keep up.
Dan Jordan’s Devils seized control in the second quarter, pushing out to a 20-point lead before a free kick handed Logan Clark a lifeline goal for the home side. Unfortunately for the Lakers, it would be their last major of the match.
From that point on, it was all Darley. The visitors unleashed a clinical second half, piling on 86 points while keeping the Lakers to just 7. The final scoreboard didn’t just reflect dominance — it exposed inefficiency.
Despite only a four-inside-50 differential (Darley 57, Lakers 53), the hosts couldn’t make their entries count.
Billy Myers was again pivotal for Darley, impacting at both ends of the ground. He finished with 25 disposals, 15 intercept possessions and a goal, continuing his exceptional form.
Young gun Mitch Gardiner stood tall in defence, reading the play beautifully and providing crucial rebound.
Tom Zampatti delivered a monster performance in the ruck, cracking the 200 ranking point mark.
He doubled his hit-outs to advantage from Round 3 and lifted his work rate around the ground in a breakout display.
Joel O’Connell also continued his consistent start to the season, playing a vital role to earn best-on-ground honours.
While Darley march on with momentum into their home clash against Ballarat, Lake Wendouree will look to turn things around in a crucial Round 5 battle with fellow winless side Sebastopol.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Tom Zampatti (Lake Wendouree) - 74 hit outs, 16 disposals, 8 intercept possessions
Billy Myers (Darley) - 25 disposals, 15 intercept possessions, 10 score involvements
Nick Hind (Darley) - 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 12 score involvements
