NORTH BALLARAT CITY v REDAN
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at Eureka Stadium, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST TIME: preliminary fiunal (2105)
North Ballarat City 15.9 (99)
Redan 12.12 (84)
NORTH Ballarat City has the opportunity to give Redan more than a few headaches in the Ballarat Football League at Eureka Stadium on Saturday.
While City made the ideal start under new coach Jordyn Burke, Redan wasunable match the persistence of Lake Wendouree.
Lions coach Eammon Gill was not too perturbed by the loss against potentially a major premiership contender.
As he says, it's only early days in a long season.
However, if Redan does drop another game the pressure will build over the next month with East Point, Darley and Sunbury to follow Melton South and provide more testing material. Gill's main focus will be getting a four-quarter performance out of his charges after fading out in the second half at the hands of Lakers.
Redan's early brand of play was just what he wanted, but it was unable to maintain it. Redan has made one key change with veteran Dean Chester back from suspension.Gill was also considering naming former Northern Blues (VFL) player Dan Watson for his debut with the Lions.
However, Watson, who has had an interrupted build-up to the season with knee trouble, has been named as emergency.
North Ballarat City has just the two changes with Adam Turley and Matt Coon inclusions to the combination which defeated East Point. City coach Jordyn Burke said a first-up win had been just the start he and the team had wanted.
"It meant a lot."
Burke said early season wins were often underestimated - having a substantial bearing on how a season developed.He said while it was a scrappy affair it was important to get over the line.
Burke said he had no doubt Redan would improve on its first outing just as City would. He said his main objective was to see continued improvement in his team as it went along.
PREDICTION: North Ballarat City
MELTON SOUTH V SEBASTOPOL
SATURDAY, Melton Rec Reserve, 2.15pm
Last time: Round 14 (2015)
Melton South 12.14
(86) d Sebastopol 8.8 (56)
Melton South: The Panthers haven't had the start they wanted with two losses. Coach Mark Pederson said not much had gone right, with injuries taking a toll - particularly in attack where despite getting a good share of the football there has been no scoreboard pressure. Captain Shaun White still has at least one more week out but Anthony Hibbert and Blake Henderson are back. Sebastopol: There was plenty to like about the Burra's effort against Ballarat, but what they need To do is turn effort into premiership points and on exposed form this match-up provides a real chance to do so. Sebastopol's defence showed some good signs and this is where it will need to start the work again, with the likes of Ben Trew and Brett Goodes providing drive off half back.
PREDICTION: SEBASTOPOL
BALLARAT V EAST POINT
SATURDAY, Alfredton Reserve, 7.15pm
Last time:
East Point 15.13 (103) d Ballarat 7.7 (49)
Ballarat: The Swans did what they had to do in the first round - defeat Sebastopol. Recruits Brad McDonald and Marcus Powling showed they are valuable additions to the proven Tom Stapleton and Shane Hutchinson. This big game - the first on the newly redeveloped Alfredton Oval and under lights - will provide a much better gauge as to where they stand even without Corey Grills. East Point: North Ballarat Roosters-listed Keegan Mellington is a key addition, having missed almost all of last season with a broken leg, while Sam Cooper is out with a thumb injury. No one is ever happy with a loss, but coach Glenn Wilkins said the Kangaroos did not do too much wrong in their loss to North Ballarat City. ''Our indicators stood up. We just didn't capitalise on our opportunities.''
PREDICTION: EAST POINT
BACCHUS MARSH V DARLEY
SUNDAY, Maddingley Park, 2.20pm
Last time:
Round 13 (2015)
Darley 19.11 (125) d Bacchus Marsh 4.12 (26)
Bacchus Marsh: The Cobras are up for this on the back of dispensing of Sunbury. Coach Travis
Hodgson says it's the test they need - a ''fantastic'' opportunity - to judge where they sit in the pecking order. He is happy with the line-up he has put together and is keen to consolidate the line-up.
Darley: The reigning premier resumes after a week off for what will be its first big test. The Devils did not get out of a canter to beat Melton South in the season opener, but it will be a much different story in the Marsh Derby - especially with coach Jarrod Edwards (hamstring) and Rhys Ellis (hamstring) out. Darley's midfield featuring gun recruit Mitch Banner has already shown it is going to be difficult to match up when you throw the dangerous Leigh Spiteri, goalkicker Dane Grenfell.
PREDICTION: BACCHUS MARSH
SUNBURY V MELTON
SATURDAY, Clarke Oval, 6.15pm
Last time:
Round 18 (2015)
Sunbury 20.8 (128) d Melton 8.9 (57)
Sunbury: This is an intriguing assignment - especially for the Lions, which after some vigorous recruiting will not want to launch the new year with two defeats. They were not too far off against Bacchus Marsh and recruits Alik Magin and Jess McInerney were good value. It might take a little while for Sunbury to hit its straps, but being at home and under lights should help it over the line.
Melton: There is always going to be uncertainty about the strength of the Bloods on a weekly basis given the number of VFL-listed players on their list.
Melton needs to take some big strides if it is to bridge the gap to the top six. Coach Brad Murphy said the first three rounds were always going to be big and nothing has changed. The Bloods have oneon the board and now want Sunbury's scalp.
PREDICTION: SUNBURY