BFNL Review - Round 2, 2023

North Ballarat arrested an 11-point half time deficit to overrun a determined Redan at MARS Stadium. Coach Brendan McCartney has been bullish about the running capacity and pressure of his boys and would be a relieved man to survive the scare. In fact, it was just the second win for the club in eight games since last year’s Round 13 upset win over eventual premiers, Melton.   

Cam McCullum won the battle in the ruck to be arguably North Ballarat's best while the return impact of Riley Polkinghorne was immediate. Harry Loader builds from strength-to-strength across halfback while Jamie Quick was lively forward with two goals.

Redan forward Izaac Grant kicked four of the Lions seven goals to keep the visitors in the game up to three-quarter time before they were held scoreless in the final term by a more desperate North Ballarat in the clinches. Marquee Roosters’ recruit Stewart Crameri confirmed his 'more than a handful' status with three valuable goals.

For the Lions, experienced quintet Jacob Werts, Nic Barker, Patty Fitzgibbon, Jacob Short and Lachie George flew the flag with Grant but fell short, made to pay for skill errors, especially goalkicking. Redan's return of 7 goals and 14 behinds highlights their woes.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Cam McCallum (North Ballarat): 80 hit outs, 9 clearances, 7 inside 50s

Riley Polkinghorn (North Ballarat): 21 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 8 clearances

Izaac Grant (Redan): 25 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 8 marks

COACHES’ VERDICT

Brendan McCartney (North Ballarat): "We're really pleased with how we continued to run, pressure and compete. Good experience for our young group to win in a tight game after a number of recent good losses."

Gary Learmonth (Redan): "We had our opportunities across the day to win but made too many fundamental skill errors including missing gettable shots at goal. North (Ballarat) structured better around the ball (but despite more inside 50s) we were unable to capitalise on our weight of forward 50 entries."  

The Swans booted six goals to one in the last quarter to runaway 46-point winners over Lake Wendouree at Alfredton Oval, giving Chris Maple his first win as coach.

It was essentially a 'copy paste' version of the Swans best players as Paddy Simpson, Will Liston, Wyatt Squires, Matt Powling, Noah Drever and Angus Bade made it back-to-back solid performances. The reward this time however all the more sweet, four premiership points and a rendition of the Swans victory theme song.

Sharpshooter Andrew Hooper finished with four goals as the Swans again struggled to get bang for buck from their forward opportunities. The Swans managed to correct their errant ways in front of goal booting 6.1 in the final term to validate the separation on the scoreboard.

The Lakers were within 15 points at the final change but couldn't find a way back despite the efforts of Angus Gove, Jacob Coxall (two goals) and Joel O'Connell. Another 14-day break awaits the Lakers who have the bye this week. While not ideal, this scenario may be a timely one for the Lakers, a chance for the troops to recover fully ahead of a Round 4 return at home against Sunbury. Ballarat will face Redan.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Paddy Simpson (Ballarat): 37 disposals, 12 clearances, 7 inside 50s

Bailey Van De Heuvel (Ballarat): 21 disposals, 12 marks, 7 intercept marks

Angus Grove (Lake Wendouree): 30 disposals, 4 intercept marks, 3 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT

Chris Maple (Ballarat): "While consistent (with our output), unfortunately we didn't capitalise on our opportunities once again, but it was good for our young side to do well and get a win.”

Jack Fitzpatrick (Lake Wendouree): "We were far more competitive which was positive, unfortunately losing a number of soldiers saw the score blow out late and did not reflect the better effort from my boys. Re Ballarat - I can see what "Mapes" is trying to implement with his young group, some exciting times ahead for them."

East Point maintained its dominate recent record over Melton South, trouncing the young Panthers by 148 points at Eastern Oval.

A new look Kangas outfit gave debut coach Jackson Merrett the perfect start with 12 players hitting the scoreboard in an impressive display. The visitors were slow to start for the second week in a row conceding nine first quarter goals to trail by 54 points at the break and 79 points at the half.

Kangas forward Brad Whittaker finished with five goals in his return game after a lengthy lay-off with injury. Johnston pair Matthew and Jordy featured prominently for the Kangas while progressive youngster Isaac Hucker (four goals) was named best afield.

It's been a tough opening fortnight for new Panthers coach combo Jason Hamilton and Ryan Hoy, beaten soundly on the road by the Bloods (161 points) and now East Point (148 points). It won't be any easier next week when they host Sunbury.

There was some merit (no pun intended) in the Panthers season high six-goal final term but greater consistency across four quarters remains an ongoing challenge. Panthers’ captain Cody Chapman and youngster Jarrod Bibby were solid contributors again in a losing side.

Four unbeaten sides in the BFNL will become two next week after the Kangas (1-0) host Darley (2-0) and Sebastopol (1-0) head to Melton (2-0).    

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Matt Johnston (East Point): 37 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 10 clearances

Jordan Johnston (East Point): 35 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 9 inside 50s

Cassius White (Melton South): 21 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 5 clearances 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Jackson Merrett (East Point): "I was really proud of the boy’s effort for four quarters. The buy-in from all 22 players to implement all the aspects of the game we have worked on over the off-season really came out today."

Jason Hamilton / Ryan Hoy (Melton South): "Very tough day, East Point are a very skillful team and well drilled. We played two quarters (well) and got blown away in the other (two quarters). Full credit to East Point, I think they'll be right up there this year."

A wasteful Darley did enough to make it a 2-0 start to their season downing cross town rival Bacchus Marsh by 50 points.

Despite winning every quarter, Devils fans were left scratching their heads at the final siren wondering how their form stacks up against the more fancied and unbeaten rivals in Melton, Sebastopol and East Point.

A six-goal-to-two opening quarter helped set up the Devils’ win after a moving Anzac ceremony had anticipation levels on high alert. After young Cobra Josh Huxtable snapped truly to kickstart proceedings, the Devils responded in style with six unanswered goals, clearly their best period of the game.

Debutant Devils ruckman Lucas Impey impressed, nullifying Cobras big man Luke Goetz after his 67 hit-out game in Round 1. The 19-year-old capped his dream start in the Black and White in fine style with an unlikely crumbing goal in the first term.

Reigning Henderson Medallist Brett Bewley finished with a game high three goals and was often the 'go to man’, restoring polish for the Devils. While it was a 'choppy' display of the basic fundamentals for the most part, both coaches opted the glass half full approach in the aftermath.

Cobras’ coach Jason Williams, buoyed with the injection of sprightly youth was bullish acknowledging their effort and contribution while Devils coach Dan Jordan was seemingly pleased going 2-0, taking nothing for granted.  

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Brett Bewley (Darley): 34 disposals, 10 marks, 6 tackles

Mace Cousins (Darley):  28 disposals, 11 one-percenters, 9 marks

Jake McCreery (Bacchus Marsh): 24 disposals, 12 clearances, 6 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT

Jason Williams (Bacchus Marsh): "Super happy with our young players, we must have had 10 players aged under 20 who tried all day and at times played a really exciting brand (of football)."

Dan Jordan (Darley): "Happy with the consistent effort across the board, credit to Bacchus Marsh and the pressure they applied. It’s always good to get a win in the local derby."

Reigning premiers Melton reaffirmed their competition 'benchmark' status with a 20-point win on the road over an honest Sunbury. The Lions were left lamenting a disappointing second quarter, outscored six goals, with five unanswered, to two, surrendering a seven-point advantage in the process.

Bloods elite running duo Jordy Kight and Jack Walker lapped up the wide expanses of the BFNL's biggest ground to feature prominently in vote calculations. Youngsters Harrison Hanley and Adrian Monitto provided the additional run on a day where goals came at a premium.

Key Bloods forward Ryan Carter booted three goals while Ryan Davis (two goals) was busy at ground level. Another eight individual Bloods players hit the scoreboard.

For Sunbury, new addition Bryce Caldone was named best for his all-round performance, capped by his team high three goals. Returning Essendon VFL listed forward Jake Sutton finished with two majors.

Lions’ coach Travis Hodgson has had the early footy audit and will gain some confidence knowing they're not far away from the reigning premiers who are expected to close again in 2023. Away trips to Lake Wendouree and Melton South should equate to wins and a build on what Hodgson thinks can work when it counts most.

For Aaron Tymms, there is no doubt there would be some relief for him getting through and landing the 'W', passing their first real acid test of the season and fragmenting some of the 'spruik' around a determined Lions outfit.

COACHES’ VERDICT

Travis Hodgson (Sunbury): "Pretty good performance for three and a half quarters of footy. We had a 15 minute period before half-time where we went away from what works for us. Melton stamped us with five unanswered goals and that was the difference. We should be better for it."

Aaron Tymms (Melton): "We got some good footy forward of stoppage at the back end of the second quarter and kicked quick goals which really was the difference in the game."