SO MUCH of what was so good about East Point a week ago seemed to fade against Lake Wendouree as play wore on.
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Bad habits crept in. The Kangaroos’ lacked discipline and the classy Lakers reinforced why they were among the Ballarat Football League’s best with a 51-point win – especially in such heavy conditions at Eastern Oval on Saturday.
This was a stark reminder for the finals-aspiring Kangaroos how tough it can be to stay with the competition leaders. The result left the Roos back in a tight mid-range pack.
VFL-listed forward Lucas Anderson stamped the Lakers’ intentions with five goals in the first quarter. Anderson, back from AFL Victoria Country duty, finished the game with eight majors.
Fellow North Ballarat Rooster Jackson Bowen was just as dominant in his ruck duty.
The Kangaroos hit back hard after quarter-time and cut the margin to 10 points by the half. Then the Lakers dug in and took complete control. They got on top of the Roos in the midfield, denying the Kangaroos little chance to move the ball inside their forward-50 metres. And the Roos lost their bite.
Lake Wendouree coach Gavin Webb said to achieve that in a half, was a great full-team result from his players.
“It was a good second half, especially since things were pretty tight early and East lifted its intensity,” Webb said. “We made a few positional changes...our onballers slowly wore them down and got on top.”
Angus Kirby delivered good run from the Lakers’ back lines. Goal-sneak Nathan Pring added spark up forward alongside Anderson with four majors.
Ash Simpson, Linc Barns and Steve Clifton overpowered the Kanagroos in a muddy midfield. The Kangaroos’ midfield – led by Daniel Tung, Daniel Semmens and veteran Luke Faull – was persistent but lacked support.
Handy Lakers midfielder Ben Hayes was a late withdrawal from the game but the Lakers are hopeful of regaining him for their next assignment.
The Lakers now prepare for a massive test to their game against a rampant Darley next week. Since the Devils beat them comfortably four weeks ago, the Lakers have been building towards taking them on again – this time at Lakerland.
East Point must regroup for the revived Ballarat, which rattled North Ballarat City on Saturday and was competitive against Redan and Darley the fortnight before. The Swans, clear outside the finals race, have the potential to make the Roos’ life difficult, especially with pivotal matches against Bacchus Marsh and Darley looming.