Round 3 Review

League improvers Ballarat have overhauled a 16-point deficit at half time to down legitimate flag contenders North Ballarat at Mars Stadium. It was nearly a carbon copy of the last time the two sides met in Round Four 2021 - but on that occasion, it was an inaccurate Swans who fell 2 points shy after trailing by 23 points at the half.

Full credit to Joe Carmody's, men who responded after half time kicking eight goals to three to raise an eyebrow across the wider competition, announcing their arrival. North Ballarat Coach Brendan McCartney was full of praise for the Swans in the aftermath, conceding they were, "outworked and outplayed."

The Swans keys, namely Nicholas Weightman, Aiden Domic, Marcus Powling and Daniel Kennedy continued their bright starts to the new season, while Keegan Mellington (3), Josh Gibson (2) and Tom Mooney (2) hit the scoreboard, filling the void in the absence of sharpshooter Andrew Hooper.

The 'North Four' Sam Artz (2), Jamie Quick (2), Jack Riding (2) and Thomas Hotchin (1) combined for seven of the Roosters' 11 goals, reaffirming their importance forward of centre, while Tom Bromley-Lynch and Clay Jenkins made solid contributions.

But all honours with the Swans. Carmody must be thrilled with his defence restricting their more fancied rivals on the whole to just three goals in the second half. The hierarchy of the other nine clubs could do a lot worse than eye off how the Swans got it done via the replay. 

Enigmatic Sebastopol were put to the sword by a spirited Redan to the tune of 45 points at Marty Busch Reserve. The 'Burra just can't get out of their own way at home over recent times losing six of their last eight games (inc. pre-season) since the club's completed renovations. I know it's purely coincidence, but you can't deny their concerns, particularly around consistency and injury.

On the other hand, Lions Coach Jarrett Giampaolo must be tickled pink with the response from his players following their season open loss to Lake Wendouree. Returning star midfielder Lachie George (5 goals) put on one of his all too familiar matchwinning performances to instigate a most impressive four quarter win, the only of its kind across Round Three. Newly incoming talls Jacob Werts and Nathan Dunstan were influential, while Declan Phillips looks on track for a solid season. Goal shark Isaac Grant (2 goals) made his usual scoreboard contribution, while the inclusion of Cooper Craig Peters and speedster Lachie Barnes only enhanced the Lions' chances.

Things went from bad to worse for the 'Burra when Lachie Cassidy and Jack Bambury went down. Only Chase Dummett, Bradley Veale and Benjamin Crone were named in the best players on a forgettable day for the Blue and Gold, especially when you consider the convincing nature of their win over East Point seven days prior. Hats off to Redan.

The 'Burra prepare for a Round Four crunch game with the Lakers as mounting doubt looms on the availability of Lachie Cassidy (hamstring), Jack Bambury (hamstring), James Keeble (hamstring), Riley O'Keefe (shoulder) and Jai Harvey (foot).

Redan host an in-form Ballarat Swans.

Darley gave new coach Dan Jordan his second win in three games, downing Melton South on the road by 33 points.

A nine goals to two second-half gave the undermanned Devils the separation on the scoreboard they were longing for. Devils marquee recruits Brett Bewley (BOG) and Nick Rodda (8 goals) were the stars of the show,  reminiscent of their Williamstown days as the two combined out of midfield and inside 50 on repeat occasions. The Panthers would have been giving themselves a real chance heading in against a Devils line-up without Shane Page, Darren Leonard, the Cadman brothers and Blake Colley. 

An even first quarter became a slender five-point advantage to the home side at the half, suggesting this game may go down to the wire. But the Devils kicked better for goal and made more of their opportunities according to Panthers coach Heath Pritchard. Despite the loss, Pritchard was really happy with their effort and, "the brand of football that we played," conceding Bewley and Rodda were the obvious difference.

Jake Ancrum played his best game in '22 for the Devils while Luther Baker and youngsters Bailey Young and Will Johnson featured prominently.

For the Panthers, Devils nemesis Dylan Conway booted five goals and was the beneficiary of a big effort support crew, led by Jake Thornton-Gielen and Dylan Jones.

Both sides have tough road trips ahead in Round Four. The Panthers meet a 0-2 Sunbury on the hunt while the Devils face the undefeated Bloods for a genuine 'month in' footy audit.

East Point was the only home side to win across the five BFNL games played at the weekend. And the 2018-2019 Premiers did it comfortably over the Lakers, bouncing back after their season-opening loss to Sebastopol.

The Kangas set up the win with five unanswered goals in the first term before extending a 28 point advantage at the half, to 59 at the final siren. Coach Jake Bridges would be delighted with the response of his proud group as the Kangas went about their business, sharing the footy to finish with eleven goalkickers on the day.

Youngster Isaac Hucker booted three while the x-factor, Jordy Johnston (2 goals) was named best afield, ahead of five teammates whose name or surname begins with the letter 'J'!  So, it only befitting that 'JJ' got the nod. Coincidences aside, there was plenty of merit (no pun) to be drawn from the Kangas win who did it without Brad Whittaker (ankle) and James Frawley. The confidence-boosting win for the Kangas is timely, to say the least, as they prepare for a mouth-watering showdown with flag fancy North Ballarat, on the rebound at Mars Stadium.

New Lakers Coach Jack Fitzpatrick will draw on his wealth of knowledge, and assess the pluses and the minuses ahead of their Round Four meeting against an unpredictable Sebastopol. While back-to-back losses are not ideal for the Lakers, it's fair to say their conquerors go alright!       

An old fashioned half-time spray from Bloods Coach Aaron Tymms had the desired effect as Melton 'did enough' to remain the only undefeated BFNL club, downing the Cobras by 28 points at Maddingley Park.

So, why the spray?

Put simply, Melton's use of the ball with the aid of a four-goal breeze in the opening term especially was poor and their revered 'system' a shadow of their own expectations. The Bloods found themselves on the back foot in the second term, leading by just two points (kicked only one goal) and were forced to quell the Cobras' inevitable momentum with the breeze. Despite trailing at half-time (11 points) and the damage minimised, the Bloods were starting to resemble a little more of their cohesive style.

Credit to the Cobras denying the Bloods the game on their own terms as Tom German's men were more direct by foot with the breeze, but couldn't get true bang for buck on their entries despite a half time advantage.

The Bloods hit the gas in the third term with seven unanswered goals with Ryan Carter (3) and Braeden Kight (2) the focal points. With Cobras playing coach Tom German potentially hamstrung on the sidelines, the Bloods midfield led by Jack Walker went to another level, despite the efforts of Daniel Burton, Harrison King and Nick Stuhldrier. New Cobra Rex Hickman (2 goals) was lively forward but the Bloods' sheer weight of evenness across their 22 players was significant.