Round 8 Review

With both sides missing key personnel, it was North Ballarat who returned to the winners' list with a comfortable 27-point win at Mars Stadium. After scores were level at quarter time, Brendan McCartney's men booted the next six goals of the game to put the contest beyond doubt in trying conditions, moving ahead on the win/loss ledger and back into fourth place on the McDonald’s Ballarat Senior Men’s ladder.

Trying conditions may be the understatement of the year given all of nature's elements were in evidence as winter announced its arrival in Ballarat. The lights of Mars Stadium had little effect on improving the spectacle, but without them, it would have been near impossible to watch. 

Cobras coach Tom German, while disappointed the in loss, commended his players for their effort. "We had quite a few out but the guys battled hard all day," he said. "We just didn't get the reward for our effort in the first quarter especially."

McCartney endorsed the sentiments of German in the post-match. "An undermanned Bacchus Marsh did a mighty job as a club," he said. "[On our own performance] we worked harder this week and resembled much more of how we want to be."

For the winners, Jack Riding (1 goal), Ned Nash and Jamie Quick (2 goals) were the cleanest ball users in the conditions, while Jake Owen (defence), Alex Porter and Ryley Stuhldreier never gave up the fight for the Cobras.       

Ballarat survived a spirited challenge from a young Lakers outfit to win by 13 points at Alfredton Oval. The degree of difficulty to execute amid the elements, let alone determined opposition, was not missed by either coach in the aftermath.

Victorious Swans coach Joe Carmody was just happy to walk away with the points after trailing at three-quarter time.

"We didn't really adjust to the wet, windy, cold conditions," he said. "[We were] lucky to get the win in the end."

The Swans kicked the only three goals in the last quarter to arrest an eight-point deficit to avoid the upset of the round.

Lakers coach Jack Fitzpatrick - clearly a character of the game - continues to deliver his matter-of-fact match summations.

"You couldn't even call it footy on what was a truly atrocious day," he said. "Both teams deserve credit for slugging it out in simply awful conditions."     

Nick Swain, Carter Prendergast and Sam James were named best afield for the winners while Lachlan O'Connell, Lachlan Fitzgerald and youngster Cooper James tried their hearts out for Fitzpatrick.

Undefeated Melton confirmed their flag favourites tag with a 41-point win over (then) second-placed East Point at Macpherson Park.

Aaron Tymms' Bloods made it tough for the visitors from the outset with the aid of the breeze to lead 30-0 at the first change. The Kangas responded (as we all thought they would) to be within seven points at the half, but a nine-goal to two third term from the ladder leaders quickly dispelled any thoughts of an upset.

Coach Tymms was proud of his boys in what was clearly a danger for the club.

"It was a very well-rounded performance from the entire group," he said. "We will enjoy a few weeks off now." The Bloods' next game is not until June 25, an away meeting with Redan.

For Bridges' boys, it's not doom and gloom by any stretch, but rather a timely footy audit nearing halfway against the benchmark of the competition. Kangas’ star forward Jordy Johnston booted five goals, extending his tally to 26 from his last six games. Midfielder Matty Johnston won his fair share of the footy, while Dallas Martin and Aden Nestor's seasons continue to gain momentum. 

For the winners, league-leading forward Ryan Carter (5 goals) and brother Liam (3 goals) proved a formidable combination once again in the Bloods’ front half, while running machine/ball magnet Jack Walker was named best on ground for a third time this season. Youngsters Adrian Monitto and Kyle Borg were lively contributors for the Bloods to feature amongst the best players, along with inside mid Lachie Watkins.

League improvers Melton South were unable to sustain their brand of pressure over the last month, succumbing to a more desperate Redan on the road to the tune of 44 points. The Lions led at every change, leaving a degree of inevitability about the result from a long way out. The visitors certainly came to play, riding high on the back of their away win over Sunbury last week, essentially banking the premiership points to stay within touch of the final six calculations.

Panthers coach Heath Pritchard conceded his boys were down and paid full credit to Redan in what was billed as a very winnable game for both sides heading in.

"Redan played well and brought a high intensity and work rate," he said.

"Losing Dylan Conway (concussion) in the first quarter, Jake Thornton-Gielen (shoulder) in the third and Billy Lloyd (ankle) at the start of the last didn't help, but the damage was already done."

"Full credit to Redan," Pritchard said.

The Panthers sit in ninth place with two wins and are nil from five at home this year.

The mood was in complete contrast to an upbeat Redan camp who sit just one game outside of the top six following their third away win of the season.

According to Lions coach Jarrett Giampaolo, the win was just reward for their superior work rate.

"It was a good win, we controlled the game for the most part," he said.

"Our boys applied relentless pressure and tackled really well and our young players stood up in the contest."

The Lions veterans did most of the damage on the scoreboard as Lachie George (4 goals), Grant Bell (3 goals) and Liam Hoy (3 goals) combined for 10 goals. George was named best along with Isaac Grant, while Panthers trio Rhys Lee, Cody Chapman and Matthew Notman earned the plaudits, albeit in defeat, from their coach. 

Sebastopol has finally put an end to arguably the longest run of outs amongst any of the McDonald’s Ballarat FNL clubs to hold off a desperate Sunbury at Marty Busch Reserve on Saturday.

The horrible conditions witnessed across the Ballarat region over the weekend were reflected in the low rate of scoring. The visiting Lions found themselves in the game yet again winning their customary two quarters to lead at half-time by 7 points. But their inability to hit the scoreboard in the second half proved their undoing, managing just three behinds for the half as opposed to the 'Burras 3.8.

It's well known that Sunbury has struggled to field their best 22 this year but could not use it as an excuse given the casualty list the 'Burra have had to endure in their opening seven games.

Sebastopol coach Michael Searl confirmed his boys were made to work extremely hard for the win.

"Sunbury outworked us and were winning plenty of the football in the first half," he said.

"We were able to turn it around in the second (half) with some one-on-one football.

"Our effort, tackling pressure and competitiveness was huge."

Despite the misfortunes for the 'Burra on the injury front, the club has managed four wins on the trot to sit second on the McDonald’s Ballarat Senior Men’s ladder with a clear advantage over cross-town rival and next opponent Ballarat.

Sunbury coach Travis Hodgson kept a glass half full attitude despite the club's sixth loss of the season.

"Considering our large number of outs, I was proud of our boys’ effort," he said.

"It was a fiercely contested and even game for the most part and we're disappointed we couldn't turn it into four Premiership points.

According to Hodgson the Lions, "need to keep presenting and being in games until we break through again."

The 'Burras Grady Snowden, Tony Lockyer and Bailey Veale featured significantly while the Lions' Tyson Lever, Matthew Medcraft and Leigh Brennan were acknowledged for their efforts in defeat.