BFNL Round 12 Review

Flag favourites Melton extended their unbeaten run in 2022 to 11 games, muscling their way to a convincing 66-point win over Bacchus Marsh.

Leading Bloods' forward Ryan Carter recorded his fourth bag of five goals for the season. He moves to within one major of Devils' spearhead Nick Rodda (41) in the race for the Tony Lockett Medal. Individuals aside, it was the Bloods' nine goals to two in the second half, including four unanswered majors in the third – making it eight wins by 40 points or more in 11 games.

Bloods' midfielder Lachie Watkins (three goals), Blake Souter, Jordyn Cotter and early season recruit Daniel O'Leary were named best afield. They provided Captain Braedan Kight (three goals) and the Carter brothers, Ryan (five goals) and Liam (two goals), every opportunity to hit the scoreboard. While the Cobras missed the drive of injured ruckman Daniel Burton, defender Jason Williams and the aerial presence of Rex Hickman forward, the result for many was deemed inevitable regardless

Replacement young combative ruckman Spencer Meagher impressed again for the Cobras in just his second game, while Tom German, Sam Crea, Tyson Shea and Captain Jake Owen continued their run of good form despite the loss. Coach Tom German will look to bounce back and keep their finals hopes alive with a win on the road this Saturday against Melton South.      

What the coaches said:

Aaron Tymms (Melton): Very well-rounded performance with 22 contributors.

Tom German (Bacchus Marsh): I thought we matched it with them in the first half and played well. They just moved it better in the second (half) and are a more mature side......they are clearly the benchmark this year.

Third-placed Ballarat trailed at halftime for the eighth time in 11 games, but this time found themselves seven points from catching flag contenders East Point at the final siren. Yes, the Swans stumbled out of the blocks again, trailing by 18 points at quarter-time, but on this occasion, it was the might of the reigning dual Premiers they had to reel in. To Joe Carmody's Swans, credit to them, flipping the 18-point deficit into a 17-point advantage at the final change, but from the outside, it looked like they'd used up all their 'petrol tickets' in the process.

The Kangas star-laden midfield went to work in the final stanza as the 'A-graders' got it done. Mickitja Rotumah-Onus and Matty Johnston led the charge finally wearing down a gallant Swans outfit with four unanswered last-quarter goals. The way the Kangas have gone about it late in games over recent weeks has been significant in outscoring their opponents comfortably. Their last four games in fourth-quarter comparisons are impressive: 34-8, 35-12, 32-20, 26-4 (+83 points). X-factor Kangas forward Jordy Johnston and youngster Liam Canny finished with two goals each in a low-scoring affair while Harry Ganley had arguably his best game for the year.

For Ballarat, perennial hard workers Will Liston, Sam James (two goals) and Daniel Kennedy almost shouldered the Swans over the line on the back of a solid Angus Bade effort in defence, but it wasn't to be. Josh Gibson (three goals) and Andrew Hooper (one goal) hit the scoreboard for the Swans as they welcomed the return of club Best and Fairest ruckman Marcus Powling. Nonetheless, 'hats off' to East Point, they are travelling nicely in second place on the BFNL ladder with one win and considerable percentage clear of third.

What the coaches said:

Joe Carmody (Ballarat): East Point were very good around the contest. We worked (hard) to a lead by good ball use in the third quarter but couldn't sustain it. Their inside mids took control in the last (quarter).

Jake Bridges (East Point): Great team effort to get the result but still plenty of improvement and learning (to draw) from the game. We have been super impressed with our young blokes playing their roles and combining with our experienced leaders. The grit and determination the group showed after being a rotation down from 10 minutes into the first quarter, was a big plus also.

Darley essentially bank the Premiership points won at the weekend and move on quickly to Sunbury after a 26-point win over a plucky Melton South. While the Devils won all four quarters, the Panthers were left lamenting missed opportunity on the goal front and a missing...well...Dylan Conway (unavailable).

The former Port Melbourne star forward was arguably all the Panthers needed to get close to winning their fourth victory on the road. In fairness, the Devils were missing a few troops of their own. But in their absence, Dylan Landt (three goals and BOG), Mace Cousins and Luther Baker picked up the slack while Bailey Young, Joel Cadman (two goals) and Brett Bewley (three goals) maintained the pressure.

Panthers' big man Broden Collins was named their best for his defensive role on BFNL leading goal scorer Nick Rodda (one goal). Around the stoppages, Billy Lloyd and Cody Chapman were solid, while Jake Thornton-Gielen's run was significant. John Kovarik's efforts to minimise Brett Bewley's impact in the middle were also recognised by Panthers coach Heath Pritchard. Melton South should be encouraged by their efforts and give themselves a chance at home this week when they meet Bacchus Marsh.  

What the coaches said:

Dan Jordan (Darley): Hard fought win (in the end) undermanned with no bench. Not a pretty game but the players gave their all and did enough to come away with the 'W'. (We witnessed) growth in some areas but plenty to work on.

Heath Pritchard (Melton South): Poor kicking at goal cost us. We made some errors on turnover which were also costly. Our effort could not be questioned but our execution let us down. (I) thought we actually dominated the second half of the game.

Sunbury recorded their most even performance of their year to date with an emphatic routing of bottom side Lake Wendouree to the tune of 64 points. The Lions booted 11 goals in each half, led by Jake Sutton (five goals) and Leigh Brennan's (four goals) return forward of centre. Midfielder Harrison Minton-Connell continued with his solid year to be named best ahead of usual suspects Tyson Lever, Daniel Toman and Haydn Ross.

Riley Miller proved another example of the organic growth at Sunbury despite their disappointing two-win season. Sunbury led by 35 points at the half before the two sides 'squared off' in a six-goal apiece entertaining third-term shoot-out. But that was 'all she wrote' for the Lakers as they put the cue in the rack while the Lions went to work adding five unanswered last-quarter goals to stretch the margin to an emphatic 64 points at the final siren.

While clearly disappointed, the Lakers would be buoyed by the progress of youngsters Bailey Ryan and Cooper James who featured among the better players on a losing side. More experienced campaigners (while still young) Timmy Collins and Jacob Coxall (two goals) flew the flag but unfortunately, it would resemble more of the 'surrender' kind of game's end.

What the coaches said:

Jack Fitzpatrick (Lakers): A very disappointing result. She's been a battle (the season so far) but we soldier on.

Travis Hodgson (Sunbury): (We've) been building some good form over the last few weeks and it was good to see the boys break through. Ball movement was again a 'tick’, and we were combative with our pressure around the ball which was an improvement.

It was suggested in the preview that it's rare to see two teams bring their 'A-game' and deliver on the promise of match-of-the-round billing. Not for the first time this BFNL season, the 'spruce' game ended in a fizzer. The 'Burra simply brought the pressure to overwhelm a disappointing Redan by 52 points at City Oval. The Lions' home ground woes continue, now 1-5 from their six games at City Oval. While the 'Burra have had their fair share of bad luck on the injury front, they're beginning to resemble a little more like their 2019 Runners-Up selves. 12 players from that one day in September took it to the Lions last weekend.

The game itself was over at quarter-time as the 'Burra led a goalless Redan by 30 points. In fact, the winners won every quarter to stretch the lead to 52 points at the final siren. Ryan Noether, Riley O'Keefe and Hugo Papst took the honours to be named best for Sebastopol in a rare miss for star duo Tony Lockyer and Lachie Cassidy. These featured names would be an encouraging sight for coach Michael Searl as the dependence on Lockyer and Cassidy is momentarily relinquished. Jed Hill, Liam Stow and returning forward James Keeble booted two goals to maintain the advantage on the scoreboard.

While this game was put to bed early, Redan did offer something despite a goalless opening half. The Lions were outscored five goals to seven after quarter-time but the 'bird had already flown'.

Lions forward Izaac Grant finished with three of his side's five goals while Daniel Bond, Lincoln Barnes and Stuart Aberdein, never gave up the fight in a losing side. The result sees Sebastopol (5th) rocket back into the six while Redan (8th) look vulnerable, now two games and percentage outside of finals calculation.

What the coaches said:

Jarrett Giampaolo (Redan): Dirty day for Redan. We just weren't able to get our hands on the ball enough and when we did our disposal was not up to standard. Sebastopol outworked us and dominated around the contest. They were the much better side on the day.

Michael Searl (Sebastopol): Good to be back on the winners list. (I was) pleased with the ball movement and getting the balance right between when to go and when to go slow. It was a good contest and great to put in a strong contest.