BFNL Review - Round 3, 2023

Reigning premiers Melton arrested an 18-point deficit at half time to overrun a gallant Sebastopol in Saturday's grand final rematch.

The Bloods were indeed the hunted as Burra coaching duo Luke Kiel and Michael Columbro went about ending a 1313 day winning drought against Aaron Tymms’ boys dating all the way back to their 2019 preliminary final clash.

Tymms conceded they "didn't cope as well as we would have liked", as the hungry Burra unsettled the league's benchmark to lead by 19 points at quarter time. The main break proved a timely reset for the Bloods, enough to restore the confidence and belief required to mount a match winning comeback. Despite winning just the one quarter, the Burra are coming but will have to wait until finals for another crack at their nemesis.

Bloods youngsters Harrison Hanley, Adrian Monitto and Lachlan Phillips were named amongst the bests with Ryan Carter and Brodie Sullivan booting two goals. For the visitors, Bailey Medwell, Riley O'Keefe and newcomer Liam Latch were dangerous, while mobile forward Toby Hutt finished with a game high three goals.   

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Jordyn Cotter (Melton): 39 disposals, 13 marks, 11 rebound 50s

Adrian Monitto (Melton): 36 disposals, 11 intercept possessions, 9 marks

Arnold Kirby (Sebastopol): 34 hitouts, 27 disposals, 14 clearances, 

COACHES’ VERDICT

Aaron Tymms (Melton): "It was a really tough game and we’re proud of the boys’ response to a below par first quarter. Credit to Sebastopol, they brought the heat early and we didn't cope as well as we would have liked. Our second half was back to what we do best, outstanding efforts by individuals to play the team role."

Luke Kiel (Sebastopol): "We were on top in the first half, but they opened us up and kept the ball moving in the second. We still had opportunities but turned the ball over going inside 50. Melton are still the benchmark, and we need to be better for longer to beat them."

Redan recorded an important all-the-way win over a wasteful Ballarat at City Oval at the weekend.

The Swans were made to pay this time for their errant ways in front of goal, after trailing by 25 points at half time despite having the same amount of scoring shots as the Lions (5.7 vs 10.2).

While the Swans won the last quarter, the damage was already done.

Lions’ sharpshooter Izaac Grant starred with a best on ground performance that included six goals. Grant has bags of 4,4 and now 6 goals from his opening three games - a memo indeed for Cobras’ coach Jason Williams, who meets the Lions this week at City Oval.

Despite Redan having some young talent of their own it would pale in comparison to the numbers the Swans are fronting up within the early rounds. The 'average games' stat would tell its own story of experience separation between the sides which can play a role in sealing moments in games.

Unfortunately for the Swans it wasn't their first example of missed opportunity, and it won't be their last, but they're in no better hands to see them through.

New Lions’ coach Gary Learmonth would be rapt taking care of a 'thereabouts' challenger for a prized spot in the top six.

With Sunbury seemingly on the rise eyeing a finals berth, eight does not go into six. Saturday's win adds currency to the Lions credentials at the expense of the Swans who are clearly in a rebuild.    

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Izaac Grant (Redan): 25 disposals, 8 marks, 6 goals

Lachlan George (Redan): 22 disposals, 10 score involvements, 8 inside 50s

William Liston (Ballarat): 29 disposals, 16 tackles, 8 clearances

COACHES’ VERDICT

Gary Learmonth (Redan): "Really happy with the effort from the group after being down two (players) at quarter time. We've got lots to work on moving forward with the progressive improvement of our young players."

Chris Maple (Ballarat): "Once again we didn't make the most of our opportunities in the first half. We were happy with our contest in the second half, and were competitive on the scoreboard, with far better ball use and goalkicking."

Darley remains one of two unbeaten BFNL teams following a 39-point win on the road over East Point. The Devils came to play early, delivering the heat to unsettle the young Kangas, opening up a 27-point lead at quarter time.

The 4.9 to 1.0 scoreline suggested the separation could easily have been greater. What transpired thereafter was considerably more even on the scoring front but again the Devils held sway with some late goals to win going their way.

New Kangas coach Jackson Merrett is under no illusions where his team is at, and quite conscious of their age profile.

Merrett conceded the game was put to bed in the first quarter but gave credit to his boys for the remaining three quarters despite being outscored 10.7 to 8.7.

Liam Canny and Matty Johnston were named their best.

For the winners, Devils coach Dan Jordan would just be happy to claim the premiership points to make it a hattrick of road wins to start 2023, ahead of a bye in round 4.

Full-time Devils addition Billy Myers (four goals) is building into some form that resembles what he is capable of at his best. while Shane Page and Brett Bewley (three goals) continued their good form to start the season. 

The Kangas meet the Swans at Alfredton Oval this week in a battle of the young guns while the Devils enjoy the week off ahead of a Match of the Round billing with Sunbury in Round 5.

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Brett Bewley (Darley): 48 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 8 tackles

Mace Cousins (Darley): 28 disposals, 11 tackles, 10 marks

Matt Johnson (East Point): 35 disposals, 19 clearances, 9 inside 50s

COACHES’ VERDICT

Jackson Merrett (East Point): "The game was won in the first quarter. Our ability to apply pressure across the ground wasn't at the level we expect of ourselves. (However) super proud of the young groups response after quarter time to keep us in the game before we conceded late goals."

Dan Jordan (Darley): "(I) thought we executed our game plan well in the first half all bar some finishing. East Point came at us hard in the second half, but we were able to adjust and get the win."

'Season smokey' Sunbury inflicted Melton South with a third successive loss in excess of 100 points at the Melton Recreation Reserve on the weekend.

Lions’ coach Travis Hodgson was most pleased with the convincing nature of the result given the Panthers had won two of their past three encounters. In fairness, only the brave would have tipped the Panthers to extend on that record.

Lions’ key forward Cody Brand booted a game high six goals and found some nice touch around goal proving he's going to be a handful for all opposition defenders moving forward. Nathan Wood, Harrison Minton-Connell and Tyson Lever were named best amid a 'share fest' of possession despite the efforts of a willing Panthers group clearly shy of depth and top end experience.

Despite another heavy loss for the undermanned Panthers there's no denying the commitment of inspirational captain Cody Chapman who battles the odds every week taking pride in his performance. Riley Theo continued with his run of good form in a losing side.

It doesn't get any easier for the Panthers in Round 4, a road trip meeting with Sebastopol awaits.  Sunbury too are on the road to face Lake Wendouree off the bye. All five games in Round 4 are scheduled in Ballarat. 

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Cody Brand (Sunbury): 10 marks, 8 score involements, 6 goals

Tyson Lever (Sunbury): 31 disposals, 10 marks, 9 intercept possessions

Cody Chapman (Melton South): 30 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 9 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT

Jason Hamilton (Melton South): "I don't think the scoreboard told the full story to be honest. (I'll) give Sunbury credit, they stuck to their guns and plans to have a convincing win in the end. (It's) back to the drawing board for us but pleasing to see we are improving every week." 

Travis Hodgson (Sunbury): "Credit to our boys, they stuck to how we want to play all day and it eventually shone on the scoreboard. Melton South were honest and deserve credit for cracking in all day."

North Ballarat made a successful trip to Maddingley Park to defeat Bacchus Marsh by 68 points.

The 'Crameri-less' Roosters were inadvertently compensated with the inclusion of Collingwood VFL listed player Sam Glover - and didn't he look the part, running a merry dance on occasions to finish with a game high five goals.

Glover's laconic nature gives the indication he's rarely out of second gear but his footy smarts, and ability to read the play proved a handful for the Cobras to contain.

North Ballarat midfielder Riley Polkinghorne was clearly the best man on the ground, his two way running and possession accumulation was a feature. Isaac Lovison and Harry Loader look right at home at their key posts in defence confirming a bright future lay ahead for the former powerhouse club.

When North Ballarat gets their running game going, look out! Their will to take the game on by hand especially ran rings around the trying Cobras and led to scores in transition often out of defence.

If there were any reservations on North Ballarat and their dare, it's with their field kicking. Coach Brendan McCartney conceded his boys remain a work in progress, becoming an exciting team to watch.

For the Cobras, Western Jets addition Joel Freeman (four goals) looked dangerous with limited opportunity while ruckman Luke Goetz had the better of North Ballarat giant Cam McCullum.      

STATS THAT CAUGHT THE EYE

Riley Polkinghorn (North Ballarat): 38 disposals, 11 score involvements, 10 clearances

Simon McCartin (North Ballarat): 30 disposals, 8 score involvements, 4 tackles

Jake McCreery (Bacchus Marsh): 27 disposals, 8 clearances, 6 tackles

COACHES’ VERDICT

Jason Williams (Bacchus Marsh): "Disappointing day at the office, really let down in attitude early and transition all day."

Brendan McCartney (North Ballarat): "A good days work against a really young Bacchus Marsh team. We are a bit clunky at times but also really exciting at times. We are doing our best to develop into a good team and be good to watch."