North Ballarat has claimed the top of the table with their big win, and with injuries having a serious impact across the league, teams with full lists are doing the damage on game day. Ballarat was the only team to win at home, while East Point, Sebastopol and Bacchus Marsh were dominant. While they haven't troubled the winner's lists, Darley's young talent is showing their class and Ryan Kemp kicked four for the Devils.
Scoop brings you the Round Five Rundown.
North Ballarat City (11.14-80) has moved to the top of the BFNL table after a 46-point win on the road over a listless Sunbury (4.10-34).
While Brendan McCartney aims to keep a lid on things (namely their ceiling) at City, it's Travis Hodgson's Lions that look in a world of hurt, languishing in tenth place with just one win from their opening five games. A Magin-less Sunbury took until the 14-minute mark of the third term to register its opening goal as City booted 10 goals to four after quarter-time to win comfortably.
City's Josh Chatfield continues to cause headaches forward with his versatility, booting four goals, while Jono O'Brien played his best game since his move from Springbank. Midfielder Riley Polkinghorne once again impressed for City, while young gun Luke Goater was named best for the Lions who were without a multiple goal scorer. It's difficult to fathom how Sunbury, with four walk-up-start interleague reps, have been so underwhelming.
Redan (1.12-18) was kept goalless after the opening minute of Saturday's 55-point loss to Bacchus Marsh (10.13-73) at City Oval.
To suggest the Lions were disappointing is an understatement, despite missing Liam Hoy (Achilles-season), Dean Chester (managed), Alex Harvey and Orren Stephenson (hamstring). Youngster Izaac Grant could not have timed his Darwin music festival trip (booked in the pre-season) any worse, adding to the Lions missing goal power, as the well-prepared Cobras outfit took to the highway, keen to arrest on a run of outs in Ballarat dating back to mid-2018.
Captain Jake Owen led from the front with five goals, while offsider Aaron Willets again hit the scoreboard with three. Playing coach Tom German was in everything and arguably the most influential midfielder from the ten-minute mark of the first term, while Logan Blundell's role on Lions star Lachie George was significant. Tyson Shea and Alex Porter were next best for the winners, while Zac Jenkins and Cooper Craig-Peters gave their all in an otherwise meek display from the Lions.
Sebastopol (16.10-106) resembled something more like their best with a complete four-quarter domination of Lake Wendouree (4.10-34) at the weekend.
The 'Burras put the game at Wendouree Reserve to bed early after booting six goals to one in the first term, while silencing the home crowd in the process. There would be no looking back for an ominous Sebastopol unit still finding their way (like many) in 2021, as they piled on a further 10 goals to three to monster the Lakers, who obviously struggled without their Ballarat Rebel talent.
'Burras tall timber Michael Powell (4 goals), Toby Hutt (2 goals) and the return of James Richards (named in best) proved more than a handful for a Lakers outfit who are never shy on effort. The assignment was just too much for the Lakers to overcome, despite the gallant efforts of Jacob Lohmann, Callum McKay and Nick Rippon, who continue their consistent run of form. New 'Burra editions Jed Hill (Ballarat) and Bailey Medwell (East Point) continue to impress and will have another opportunity on Saturday to show off their form when they meet bottom side Darley.
Melton (7.10-52) will be forgiven for their flat display against East Point (13.15-93) at MacPherson Park on the weekend.
Still reeling from the shock ongoing injury to star midfielder Dyson Stevens, the Bloods were unable to maintain their unbeaten intensity into the Round Five meet. While some sides have played each other only twice since the beginning of 2018, these two warriors have now met seven times for a 5-2 advantage to the Kangas.
The reigning dual Premiers welcomed back Aaron Hayes, Cam Lovig and Aiden Nestor into the line-up, as gun mids Matty Johnston (2 goals) and Mickitja Rottumah-Onus continue as a combo to be reckoned with along with Joseph Dodd (2 goals). East Point remains well-placed in fifth, just a game and percentage off new ladder leaders North Ballarat City. For the Bloods, their first loss in 2021 sees them fall to second, and away from the top of the table spotlight in the interim. And for now, I'm sure that suits Bloods coach Aaron Tymms just fine.
Ballarat (15.14-104) flew the flag to be the only home team to win at the weekend with a 32-point win over an undermanned Darley (11.6-72).
With a notable breeze playing a factor in the opening half, very little separated the two teams on the scoreboard at the main break (4 points). When the Devils restricted the Swans to just 3 goals in the third term, all looked set for a nailbiting finish. The youthful Devils reigned in the margin to as little as 13 points before the Swans rallied to boot the last three goals of the game to run out deserved winners.
Ballarat recruit Jake Dunne (2 goals) looked dangerous early in his first game for the club before a recurring hamstring injury sidelined the key forward for the second half. Tall timber Marcus Powling and Bailey Van Der Heuvel dwarfed the Devils who seem bereft of the substantial size to match it with most, if not all BFNL sides. Usual suspects Daniel Kennedy and Sam James featured among the better players, while a spread of eight goalkickers, including five players with multiple returns, proved too much for the winless Devils. Werribee VFL affiliate Ryan Kemp showed off his class with four goals for the Devils while youngsters Duncan Cadman, Dylan Beecham and Jack Bewley featured among the better players.
