Round Four Rundown

Melton (10.11-71) has shrugged off a winless Darley (5.7-37), booting five unanswered second-half goals to win by 34 points.

The result, however, was soured by the serious neck injury to star midfielder Dyson Stevens after he fell awkwardly late in the first term. There was a 55-minute delay in play as Stevens was attended to by paramedics before being taken away in an ambulance for immediate scans and potential surgery.

The Bloods were the first to settle after the re-start as captain Braedan Kight booted three of his four goals in as many minutes.

The Devils returned fire with goals to Ryan Kemp and Duncan Cadman to be with within a point at the main break. But thereafter, it was Melton, who controlled ball movement and clearance as the young Devil's structure fell away under the relentless pressure of a speedy and more seasoned Bloods outfit.

Kight, along with midfielders Billy Crofts and Jack Walker, were named best for the winners, while Jake Ancrum, Matthew Brett and Blake Colley continue their run of good form in the black and white.

For many, Bacchus Marsh's (13.9-87) 31-point dismantling of reigning dual Premiers East Point (8.8-56) at Maddingley Park on Saturday was the upset of the round. But rest assured, this result was no fluke as the Cobras were forced to earn every bit of the win in easily their best performance of the season.

After conceding the opening three goals of the game, the Cobras response was emphatic turning a 12-point deficit at quarter-time into a 35-point match-winning lead at the final change.

East Point has been patchy so far in 2021, mixing their form with good halves and bad. In Saturday's case, it was the Kangas second and third quarters that proved their undoing, as Bacchus Marsh piled on 10 goals to 2 to set up the win.

Aaron Willetts (5 goals) and Jake Owen (4 goals) did the damage forward, while the 2018 Henderson Medallist Daniel Burton was Best on Ground.

It doesn't get any easier for East Point this Saturday either, with ongoing injury concerns ahead of a showdown meeting with ladder leaders Melton - with Jesse Baird, Jake McQueen, Clay Bilney, Aaron Hayes, Isaac Quick, Joel Maher, Dallas Martin, James Lukich and Jacob Brown all on the injury list.

Melton South (15.7-97) has secured back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 11/12, 2012, with a 23-point win over Sunbury (10.14-74). The win also ends a four-year drought for the Panthers against the Lions that dates back to Round 11, 2017.

The Panthers’ A-Grade talent returned to the fore, franking last week’s form in the process.

Dylan Conway (5 goals), Shaun Wyatt (2 goals) and young gun Paul Curtis (2 goals) kept the score ticking along and Sunbury at bay to lead at every change.

Sunbury did have opportunities forward again but are in a slump with their ability to convert. The Lions rank #8th in attack and #10th in goal efficiency, yet sit #4th for average number of shots per game on goal.

It can be a cruel game, and with little reward for effort can become exhausting. 2019 Henderson Medallist Alik Magin booted three for Sunbury and was considered the pick of the Lions pride.

For the Panthers, Conway and Billy Lloyd aside, junior products Cody Chapman and Jake Thornton-Gieling were named best.

While it's all smiles at Melton Rec Reserve at the moment you wouldn't think Sunbury's next win is too far away.

North Ballarat (12.14-86) has blitzed flag contenders Sebastopol (7.12-54) with a stunning 6.6 final term at Mars Stadium to win by 32 points.

North Ballarat City led at every change to get the job done over a 'Burras outfit that was found wanting with the game in the balance and who were without ruckman James Richards and dangerous forward James Keeble.

The two missed large parts of their Round Three loss to Melton as well with hamstring complaints and remain doubtful for Saturday’s meeting with fourth-placed Lake Wendouree.

Sebastopol sit in eighth place with just one win. City midfielder Riley Polkinghorne continues his stellar run of form with another Best on Ground, arguably his third in four games.

Experienced campaigners Ryan Hobbs, Simon McCartin, Joey Symonds and Cameron McCullum made significant contributions, while young forward Josh Chatfield jagged another multiple-goal return.

There's no doubting North Ballarat were buoyed by the inclusion of star Collingwood VFL-listed player Sam Glover. For the 'Burra, Michael Powell booted three goals, while Jack Bambury, Tony Lockyer and Bailey Medwell tried their hearts out.

Lake Wendouree (9.12-66) has moved into fourth place on the BFNL ladder with a thrilling five-point win over Ballarat (9.7-61) under lights at Alfredton Oval.

It came as no surprise that this Round Four battle would go down to the wire and they didn't let us down. In fact, the biggest margin of the game at any break happened to be at the final siren, advantage Lake Wendouree.

Goals came at a premium in the first half with just five kicked between the two sides before the second half opened up by comparison with thirteen. It was unfortunate for Joe Carmody's Swans, without goal shark Andrew Hooper and marquee signing Josh Gibson for another week.

The honourable losses are beginning to rack up for the Swans who, at their best, can match it with anyone. Recognition to Lachie Dawson for his three goals and captain Sam James who led the Swans to all but victory.

Dale Power's Lakers must be buzzing with back-to-back wins. Lane Buckwell stood up for the Lakers with a best-on, while Scott Blake, Timothy Collins, Ash Simpson, Nick Rippon and Jacob Lohmann ensured they found the line.

With the Lakers’ top-end in some real form at the moment, they should hold no fears for Sebastopol on Saturday, in what looms to be a fair, five-week footy audit for both clubs.