IS REDAN the real deal in season 2015?
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Premierships are not won in April (or early May), but early indications are the Lions have what it takes to be genuine contenders this year.
Not that they haven’t been contenders in previous years, but at the moment it is fair to say they are the side to beat.
The only team to win all their matches after just three rounds, the Lions have barely put a foot wrong in what has been a challenging start to the year.
Knocking off reigning premier North Ballarat City and the much-hyped Darley in consecutive weeks is no mean feat, but it is the fashion in which both victories have occurred that has been most ominous.
The maroon and gold dominated both contests, with the scoreboard failing to do justice on both occasions.
Just imagine if they were kicking straight. Redan has yet to finish a game with a positive goal/behind ratio.
In their first game against East Point they managed a respectable 15.15, before a lamentable 8.18 last week in North Ballarat City (a decent finish considering they were 1.15 at half-time).
In Saturday’s fixture against Darley they were again wasteful in front of goal, finishing with 17 goals and 19 behinds.
GJ Gardner Homes Lions coach Eammon Gill admitted his side had been poor in front of goal this year and indicated there would be more time spent in front of the big sticks at training during the week.
“We actually haven’t practised it that much this year. Is that a factor? Maybe,” Gill said. “It is something we will have a look at this week.”
There is certain to be some heartache at the Redan selection table this week, with some big names to come back into the side.
Veteran Dean Chester is likely to return from a hamstring injury and it seems destined that star midfielder Nathan Horbury will finally be released from the North Ballarat Roosters.
The question is, who will be the unlucky players to miss out?
On a different note, kudos has to go to the City of Ballarat for the remarkable upgrade at Wendouree Reserve.
The main oval is arguably the best surface in Ballarat at the moment – including Eureka Stadium – and has carried Lake Wendouree into the 21st century.
With similar works to be carried out at Alfredton Oval, Marty Busch Reserve and City Oval in coming years, the standard of football in the league can only improve as a result.
It is an exciting time if those ovals are upgraded to the same standard as Wendouree Reserve.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au