Scoop reviews Round Eleven
We all welcomed footy back in front of no crowds on the weekend as the BFNL took another step on road to finals (scheduled for August 28 - week one). But there's more to play out over the coming three weeks with eight sides still a chance of making the final six. Here's how the return of BFNL action unfolded on Saturday.
Ladder leaders North Ballarat City (14.14-98) took their time to shrug off a spirited Darley (6.8-44) to win by 54-points on the weekend.
Despite winning all four quarters on the road, NBC Coach Brendan McCartney conceded his boys will be better for the run.
"It's been 28 days between hit-outs for us and at times we looked a little rusty but our intentions were good," McCartney said.
"These boys are very coachable, I see plenty of improvement to come."
NBC enhanced its reputation as an outfit that does not care who kicks the goals with another seven contributors on the weekend. Some credit must be given to an undermanned Darley keeping the high-flying City under 100-points - since round five, Melton has been the only other side to do so.
City big man Callum McCallum (three goals) monstered the opposition in the ruck to share the 'best on ground' honours with Devils key defender Darren Leonard. Thomas Hotchin (three goals) proved a handful forward for the winners while Werribee / Devils affiliate Ryan Kemp (one goal) caught the eye of McCartney and his group with his leg speed and clean ball use.
While City's Daniel Jones (calf) missed, X-factor forward Josh Chatfield (kidney) revealed a return in week one of the finals is on his radar. Any hope the Devils had of causing the upset of the season was dashed with the late withdrawals of Matthew Brett, Mitch Banner, and Brad Inglis.
Bacchus Marsh (8.15-63) were left lamenting their inaccuracy in front of goal, going down to second-placed Melton (13.11-89) by 26-points at Maddingley Park.
To put in perspective, the Cobras were 0.5 at one stage early (2.8 half-time) to the Bloods 4.0 (8.3 half-time) which meant 'catch up' would be the order of play for the home side who now find themselves outside the top six for the first time since round one. The Cobras welcomed back Aaron Willitts (three goals and five behinds) to re-unite with Captain Jake Owen (three goals and three behinds) in what is one of the most dangerous 'combinations' forward of centre in the competition.
The Bloods, however, have some potency of their own forward, a quartet of sorts if you don't mind. Ryan Carter (three goals), Braeden Kight (three goals). Liam Carter (two goals) and Kevin Klixx (one goal) all hit the scoreboard to post nine of the clubs 13-goals. Unfortunately for the Cobras they could manage just four separate goalkickers on the day (Melton eight), highlighting an avenue shortage on a result not entirely determined by inaccuracy.
Bloods youngster Bailey Mawson earned the praise of coach Aaron Tymms for his battle with (Jake) Owen to be named in the best along with ball magnet Jack Walker who continues his stellar season. Cobras star ruckman Daniel Burton again featured prominently while defender Lachie Christopher played his best game for the club with his distribution and job on dangerous Bloods forward, Kevin Klixx.
Sebastopol (24.21-165) put away an out-of-sorts Melton South (8.5-53) to the tune of 112-points at Marty Busch Reserve.
This game was over at half-time as the 'Burra led the ailing Panthers by as much as 90-points.
While the 'Burras needed to find some touch and form quickly to remain in the finals race, it was their confidence levels above all else in need of a boost. And they managed to tick all three. Coach Mick Searl would be rapt his boys were able to hit the scoreboard - 45 scoring shots if you don't mind including 10 separate goalkickers in their season-high 24-goal return. If that was not enough, gun midfielder Lachie Cassidy was said to have had 50 disposals in a performance Panthers coach Heath Pritchard labelled as best on ground 'by the length of the straight'.
You have to have some sympathy for Melton South, the COVID interruptions have arguably affected them more so than any other club for many reasons. Given their metropolitan postcode for starters means zero training. Even the adjustments of their draw have been untimely. Players' plans to go away, cannot train, have to work, a mounting injury list all adds up to an uncomfortable time since the COVID disruption after round six. Since then the Panthers have conceded 98-goals (130-points average) in five matches. To make things worse, BFNL leading goalkicker Dylan Conway (calf) was kept goalless for the first time on the weekend and took no part in the second half. The Panthers showed some fight in the second half despite being outscored 10-goals to seven.
The 'Burras welcomed back Luke Kiel with immediate results and will be counting on Riley O'Keefe to fill the void left by inspirational Captain Tony Lockyer (shoulder) who will miss the rest of the season.
Sunbury (13.17-95) have stormed back into the top six for the first time since the opening round with a 60-point win over Lake Wendouree (5.5-35) at the Clark Oval.
In what was billed an unofficial Elimination Final for the two sides, it was Sunbury's 10-goals to one second half that proved the overwhelming difference.
The Lakers kicked with the aid of a three / four-goal breeze in the opening term to set up a handy 17-point lead at the first change, boom recruit Nick Rippon leading the way with near double-figure stats including the opening goal to help spark the visitors.
The Lions drew within two points at half-time to set up an enthralling second half stanza that would inevitably seal one team's fate in season 2021. But it was all Sunbury after the main break, 10.8 to 1.0 tells the story of weight in possession and time spent in the forward half. The back-breaker for the Lakers was the Lions five goals to one in the third term against the breeze, virtually shutting the gate on any finals aspirations in the process.
Sunbury's Tyson Lever is in club best and fairest form at the moment and continued to impress while Jake Sutton (two goals)played his best game for the club mid/forward since his arrival from the SANFL mid-season. Under-rated forward Alec Goodsen (three goals) continues to get returns for a club not renowned for their forward options so far this season. Goodsen's handy haul takes him to equal eighth on the league goalkicking table with 18 from his 10 games.
The Lions meet ladder leaders North Ballarat City on Saturday with the result almost certain to impact their finals chances before a bye and Darley (at home) to come.
Reigning dual Premiers East Point (19.17-131) continued their run of recent dominance with a comprehensive 79-point win over Redan (7.10-52) at Eastern Oval.
The Kangas looked in a class of their own for the most part winning all four quarters over a frustrated Redan who just could not seem to impact the scoreboard enough to trouble the top teams. In fairness to the Lions, East Point look to be an ominous assignment for any side going forward, especially with Joel Ottavi (six goals) and Jordy Johnston back from the VFL for the interim. As if 17-goals was not enough for Ottavi to be recalled for Williamstown's meeting with Coburg on Sunday - he and Redan have every right to consider him the 25-year-old a little unlucky.
East Point has arguably the most talent on paper, work rate come finals will determine their fate. North Ballarat City and Melton especially have the ability to outwork the Kangas as the finals loom even more mouth-watering by the week.
Against Redan it was the bigger-bodied Kangas that had the greatest impact. Jacob Brown, James Lukich, and the ever consistent Mickitja Rottumah-Onus all played a major role in the club's third successive 79+ point win and 100+ scoreline. Brad Whittaker (four goals) and Jack Ganley (four goals) provided the extra support for the Kangas on the goal front whilst Redan had six goalkickers make up their seven-goal return. One positive for the Lions was the return of popular bigman Orron Stephenson (two goals) who will have a role to play in the club's finals destiny with games against Ballarat and Lake Wendouree to come.
