DARLEY 13.15 (93) d BACCHUS MARSH 10.14 (74)
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Darley delivered just the start to the season it needed with a clear-cut 19-point margin over reigning premier Bacchus Marsh in a bruising affair in the Ballarat Football League at Darley on Sunday.
New Devils coach Heath Scotland put the win down to determination, will and effort.
“We out-worked them in the second half.”
Bacchus Marsh coach Travis Hodgson had no argument with this point of view, with the Cobras having no answer to Darley after half-time when it added eight goals to three.
With Jarrah Maksymow unstoppable in attack – he kicked five of Bacchus Marsh’s opening six goals – the Cobras went from 20 points down to lead by 11 at the major break.
From there though Darley opened up with a brand well known to Bacchus Marsh and took control.
Leigh Spiteri had a big day out with five goals for the Devils.
Darren Leonard was also masterful at centre half back, Kyle Docherty a key figure in attack and Scotland consistently creative as he covered the ground with poise.
However, it was recruit Brian Graham who stood head and shoulders above everyone in a stunning display.
Graham was in everything, whether at ground level or in the air, and there was nothing Bacchus Marsh was able to do about it as he found space at will in all corners of Darley Park. His ability to combine with his brother Chris was also a feature for Darley, which is desperate to bounce back from the disappointment of last season.
LAKE WENDOUREE 13.16 (94) d REDAN 14.5 (89)
Nathan Monk reversed roles to secure Lake Wendouree a dramatic five-point win over Redan with a goal after the final siren in the Ballarat Football League at the City Oval on Saturday.
Up to turning the match on its head with the last possession from outside 50 metres – the outcome of a pass from coach Tim Malone – Monk had spent all day at full back.
“I’d been deep most of the game. I thought I might as well roll the dice and run forward.”
Monk said he momentarily considered handballing after taking the mark.
“I was ready to handball it off. I had Lukey Bucknall there. I said mate I don’t want it.
“It wasn’t the best kick I’ve ever done. Ah well, I’m happy with it.”
Monk said he was never worried about getting the distance with Redan holding a one-point advantage, but he was unsure about accuracy.
While Monk was swamped by team-mates, Redan players were left shattered after seemingly having the match in their keeping when Dean Matthews rolled through a goal on 26 minutes in the last term to give the Lions a seven-point break.
Just as Redan had been relentless with their attack on Lakers, Lake Wendouree produced the same desperation to get over the line.
Malone, who provided a cool head in defence, admitted Lakers had “got out of jail”.
“”It’s one to remember.”
He said he had emphasised before the game the need to “fight, fight, fight” and Lakers had done just that.
Malone said there was plenty to work on.
Nick Willox almost delivered Redan the four premiership points with five goals in a lively display. He was instrumental in ensuring the Lions were up and about early with their opening two majors.
Although Lake Wendouree was wasteful in attack – it had 10 more scoring shots – this was largely due to the pressure exerted by a persistent Redan, which surprised Lakers with its leg speed and ability to shut down their trademark running game.
Lake Wendouree went to half-time leading by 14 points and in control, but the second half was to largely belong to the Lions. They kicked five unanswered goals for a 28-point turnaround and with them stifling Lakers looked like they had done enough to upset the more fancied visitors on the back of the work of Tom Lamb, Chris Giampaolo and young ruckman Nick Hausler, who had a fine battle with debutant Arthur Armstrong.
EAST POINT 11.18 (84) drew with BALLARAT 13.6 (84)
East Point stormed home to draw with an impressive young Ballarat outfit in the BFL at the Eastern Oval on Saturday.
Bryson McDougall was instrumental in the Kangaroos closing the gap after trailing by 23 points at the last change.
He kicked two late goals give him six for the day.
While disappointed not to close out the victory, Ballarat coach Shane Hutchinson took many positives out of the game.
“Considering the age of our side, and with seven new players, our game style and the way that we were able to move the ball was fantastic.
“To East Point’s credit, they were able to fight back and give us a game in the end,” he said
“I thought that we had the momentum going into the last quarter, but unfortunately they came out all guns blazing, kicked a few goals and all of a sudden they were back in the game.”
East Point coach Jake Bridges was also able to find positives, particularly in terms of the last term fight back.
“We had plenty of players who grew into the game the longer the match went.
“The guys were able to grind it out and really finish the game well,” he said.
“We knew Ballarat is a really good running side and it showed that.
“It was a credit to our guys that they were able to finish the game so strongly and arrest the momentum that Ballarat had.”
McDougall was instrumental in getting East Point away to a solid start and a six-point lead at the first change.
There was a case that the Roos should have led by more, but a few undisciplined acts gifted goals to Ballarat, something Bridges touched on in his quarter time address.
The second term belonged to the Swans, who enjoyed a four goal to one run and a slender lead at the main break.
It also started a theme of inaccuracy for East Point, which kiced just one goal from 10 scoring shots in the second quarter.
Encouraged by its leaders to take the game on at every opportunity, Ballarat managed to put a distance between it and East Point - again kicking four goals to one to open almost a four-goal advantage.
Tom Conroy provided a pivotal focal point for the Swans up forward, while a goal on the run from Daniel Kennedy seemed to convince them to believe that they could be on the verge of an unlikely victory.
The match was in for one last twist though, with East Point storming home in the second half to level the scores.
There was a chance for Billy Watkins to give East Point the lead with a set shot late, but the first-gamer did not trouble the scorers and the deadlock remained to the final siren.
SUNBURY 8.12 (60) d MELTON 3.4 (22)
Sunbury overcame a lack of big-man power to run away by 38 points against Melton in the BFL at Sunbury on Saturday night.
Already without Grant Valles (concussion), the Lions lost number one ruckman David Kovacevic with a slight gluteus maximus strain.
Sunbury coach Ben Jordan said with conditions wet, going in with a smaller line-up proved beneficial.
He said the modified structure allowed the Lions to open up the game after a dour first half and add five goals to Melton’s one.
Patrick MacDonough stepped into the ruck in the absence of Kovacevic and impressed, while Adam Short was again a stand-out contributor as an interceptor across half back.
Jordan said it was pleasing to get reward for effort and get a win on the board after missing out on the points against Melton South.
Melton is left without a win and with a major test against Darley up next in its first home game.