Round 6 Review

The Bloods (if they weren't already) will carry the 'flag favourites’ tag for the remainder of the 2022 season following their 68-point demolition job over North Ballarat. Dynamic forward duo Ryan Carter (5 goals) and Braedyn Kight (4 goals) proved an afternoon nightmare for the Roosters who were outscored sixteen goals to five after quarter time. In-form support crew Brett McIntyre and Blake Souter were again at the forefront in a game Bloods coach Aaron Tymms labelled a "great game to watch”. Both coaches agreed the relentless Bloods pressure was the difference.

Despite losing their third game in four weeks it wasn't all bad for the Roosters according to Coach Brendan McCartney. "We aren't playing our best footy, but we showed some glimpses today," he said.

The Roosters - recently considered a 'soldier out, soldier in' outfit - appear shaky, and look far from the daunting prospect of 2021 without Josh Chatfield (Footscray VFL), Thomas Hotchin (ACL), Elliott Lamb (foot) and Jack Riding (general soreness). While Maccas boys are perceived to be an even bunch that bat deep, clearly the absence of a select few has been significant.

The efforts of Brock Leonard and Tom Bromley-Lynch were recognised in defeat, but this day simply belonged to the Bloods. The frightening reality for the rest of the competition is the Bloods are expected to improve in the second half of the season. Hard to beat.        

Melton South hung on to beat a fast-finishing Bacchus Marsh in a thriller at Maddingley Park. The Panthers led by 29 points at the final change before the Cobras kicked the last five goals of the game. Scoreboard aside, given the nature of what transpired, a Cobras win would have been daylight robbery.

The Panthers by and large deserved the points and exposed the Cobras with their dare, spread and leg speed to lead at every change, despite the absence of star forward Dylan Conway (illness). Will Thornton-Gielen (5 goals) assumed the responsibility hitting the scoreboard in the absence of Conway and was the beneficiary of impressive contributions from Shaun Wyatt, Jake Thornton-Gielen, Cody Chapman, Mitch Fino and Billy Lloyd. Brody Sullivan's two first-half goals were quality amid periods of an old-fashioned scrap.

The Panthers are to be commended for taking on the game, denying the Cobras the game on their own terms despite the ongoing presence of dangerous trio Jake Owen (3 goals), Rex Hickman (4 goals) and Daniel Burton.

It's ironic, that four of the last five Panthers wins (over the last two seasons) have been against Sunbury (twice) and Bacchus Marsh (twice). Getting it done further west remains the Panthers' Achilles heel (0-15) since 2018. The Cobras face back-to-back highway trips to East Point and North Ballarat. Interesting...

Jake Bridges' East Point are warming into their season nicely with a 32-point win over Ballarat at the weekend. The Kangas won 3.5 quarters and were never really threatened following a 10-goals to six first half and handy 22-point lead. Jordy Johnston (6 goals) and Bryce MacDougall (4 goals) did the offensive damage and proved the difference in the end. Coalface Kangas Matty Johnston and Mickitja Rotumah-Onus won the midfield field battle providing weight of supply forward, aiding the Kangas to a third score over 100 points in their last four games. For the record, JJ has booted 16 goals for the period.

Coach Jake Bridges was fully aware of his cliche response in the aftermath but thought they were the right words to best sum up the performance. "It was a great team effort," he said.

For Joe Carmody's Swans, buoyed by the return of livewire forward Andrew Hooper (4 goals) conceded they were, "outplayed in the contest, especially at the stoppage.” According to Carmody, "East's midfielders were totally dominant.”

Improving Swans youngster Will Liston and newcomer Aiden Domic along with Hooper gave their all but the Kangas were simply too strong. Expect the Swans to rally next week, second up after illness and injury that decimated the side ahead of their 95-point round five loss to Melton. Will be better for the run.

Surprise packets Darley won their third 'away' game in four attempts under new Coach Dan Jordan to move into second place on the BFNL ladder. The Devils humbled a disappointing Lions outfit who proved their own worst enemy yet again with poor shooting for goal and turnovers in general play.

Despite a 19-point advantage at the half, Jordan conceded his young Devils could easily have been three or four goals down if not for inaccuracy on the part of the Lions.

Jordan said the Lions were pretty good for the most part and was proud of the overall effort of his boys.

"I could easily have found room for 13 or 14 players in our best," he said. "But we still have a lot to learn and face another tough game against Ballarat this week."

While marquee Devils forward Nick Rodda (5 goals) was prominent, the light shone more on the progress of a few youngsters, namely Brady Wright (4 goals), Andy Azzopardi (best) and 16-year-old debutant Mitch Gardiner (2 goals) who might just have kicked the club’s goal of the year. Luther Baker was the Devils’ best mid, while captain Brett Bewley was selfless under a heavy tag.

Redan coach Jarrett Giampaolo's disappointment was palpable in the aftermath. "Another frustrating game - we're unable to maintain consistency in games at the moment," he said.  

Isaac Grant, Jacob Short and Declan Phillips headed the Lions list of best players. 

There were contrasting emotions in both camps following Sunbury's 41-point win over Lake Wendouree at Clarke Oval. A relieved Lions coach Travis Hodgson complimented the efforts of his midfield group and his rebounding defence, denying key Lakers forward, Box Hill affiliate and leading VFL goalkicker Fergus Greene (3 goals) maximum impact.

"It was good to build on last week’s solid performance," Hodgson said. "Our focus is to continue to improve from week to week."

On the flipside, Lakers coach Jack Fitzpatrick didn't hold back with his damningly honest appraisal of his club’s performance.

"If we continue to not compete for four quarters we will continue to get beaten by bigger margins," he said. According to Fitzpatrick, the Lakers did not take advantage of the inclusion of Greene who is a star at VFL level.

"Fergus was good off limited supply," he said. "Clearly a class above and it's a shame we couldn't utilise him more."

Sunbury surpassed their previous high score of 2022 (68) comfortably with 30 shots on goal to bring up the tonne.

Harry Minton-Connell, Corey Mobilio (3 goals), Tom Werner and Haydn Ross were named best for the winners while Bayley Thompson, Thomas Hunt and Rory O'Keefe could keep their heads up for their contribution in loss. The game was all over at quarter-time - Sunbury led 50-15. Night, night.