REDAN has sent out a strong message that the Ballarat Football League season is far from a one-horse race with a thumping victory over Bacchus Marsh at Maddingley Park on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Billed by many as the match of the round, the Lions showed they were in no mood for a dog fight and dominated the match from the outset.
Grant Bell was clear best on ground with seven goals, raking in a number of big marks, as well as a classy left-foot soccer goal that would not be out of place at the World Cup in Brazil.
Chris Giampaolo also consolidated his solid pre-season form with another great game for Redan, while Dean Chester wound back the clock across half-forward.
The only downside for Redan was the injury to key forward Dan Colbert, who injured his calf in the opening minute and was forced off the ground for the rest of the game.
ELSHWERE, a woefully inaccurate North Ballarat City outfit scraped together a win over a gallant Lake Wendouree outfit by 25 points.
The undefeated North City kicked an ugly 6.24 (60) to the Lakers' 4.11 (35) in a game that will not live long in the memory for many.
Ballarat also secured an easy win over Melton, smashing the Bloods by 47 points.
Chris Prockter, Will McGregor, Tom Stapleton and Ash Baker all kicked three goals for the Swans, with Stapleton shining bright in a best-on-ground performance.
At Eastern Oval, East Point made it two wins in one day.
Not only were the Roos successful in a final-hour appeal that saw Liam Rigby cleared by the tribunal on appeal, they also secured their second win to remain in touch with the top six.
Hayden Walters was again East Point's best performer, as his side beat Melton South 13.15 (93) to 7.8 (50).
And in the final game for the round, Sunbury did as expected by tearing apart Sebastopol.
The 161-point margin provided a much-need percentage boost for Sunbury, with Josh Burgess kicking the most goals of the round, with nine majors to his name.
UPDATED LADDER
NORTH BALLARAT CITY 32 premiership points, REDAN 24, BALLARAT 20, SUNBURY 20, LAKE WENDOUREE 16, BACCHUS MARSH 16, Melton 14, East Point 12, Darley 10, Melton South 4, Sebastopol 4