BALLARAT v NORTH BALLARAT CITY
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at Alfredton, Saturday, 6.45pm
LAST TIME: round 10, 2016, North Ballarat City 17.11 (113) d Ballarat 8.13 (61)
North Ballarat City has hardly had time to take a breath since its imposing first-up win over Melton South in Ballarat Football League on Anzac Day.
That was only three days ago.
In the quickest of turnarounds, North gets only one more day to complete its recovery before fronting up against Ballarat at Alfredton on Saturday night.
Coach Jordyn Burke is not fazed though.
He said City had savoured every moment of the 36-point victory – bursting the Panthers’ early season bubble.
“It was enjoyable to play.”
And for Burke, the second round outing cannot come quickly enough while North is on a high.
The opening performance gives North Ballarat City an opportunity to to set up its season.
It goes in as favourite against the Swans, then meets Redan, has a bye and plays East Point.
City has a genuine chance of being unbeaten through five rounds and this will not be lost on Burke and his players.
Will Young and Derick Micallef combined for 12 goals against Melton South, being on the end of some impressive work up the ground.
They are not going repeat this every week, but what they will do is provide plenty of headaches for rival defences.
With that type of big man strength, Ballarat will again rely heavily on its run and outside pace.
Coach Shane Hutchinson was encouraged by what he saw in the draw with East Point and will be urging his charges led by Daniel Kennedy, and Nick and Will Garner to stick with the run-and-gun game.
It worked well against East Point, but when the Swans were on top and in control they went into their shell and gave up the advantage
They will be told not to go that path again, but stick with their strength.
Ballarat has added yet another teenager with Matthieu Brehaut stepping up from the under-18.5s to make his senior debut.
City has added Echuca United recruit Mitch Giddings and Ollie Nash to an expanded squad
PREDICTION: North Ballarat City
BACCHUS MARSH v SUNBURY
at Maddingley Park, Saturday, 2.20pm
LAST TIME: 2016 grand final, Bacchus Marsh 13.21 (99) d Sunbury 5.14 (44)
BACCHUS MARSH: coach Travis Hodgson says the Cobras learnt a great deal from its loss in a high intensity battle with Darley. He said although on the wrong end of a six-goal to nil third quarter, he was pleased with the way Bacchus Marsh had responded in the last term. Hodgson said Sunbury had started the season much better than many had expected and the Cobras were ready for another tough game in a grand final rematch.
SUNBURY: Grant Valles (concussion) returns after missing a week, adding versatility and strength to the Lions, and also importantly ruckman David Kovacevic (glute) is a chance to return and has been named as an emergency. They do lose Matthew Medcraft though after a couple of of appearances in what was always going to be a short stay from his new Queensland base. Sunbury could easily have had two wins and will have taken plenty out of its victory over Melton, although coach Ben Jordan has no doubt that it needs to lift again. "We're ready for the challenge."
PREDICTION: Bacchus Marsh
LAKE WENDOUREE v SEBASTOPOL
at CE Brown Reserve, Saturday, 6.30pm
LAST TIME: round 17, 2016, Lake Wendouree 16.12 (108) d Sebastopol 8.11 (59)
LAKE WENDOUREE: Lucas Anderson makes his much anticipated return after a knee reconstruction midway through last season. He adds leadership, size and experience, but Lakers do lose midfielder Bailey Edwards to North Ballarat Roosters in VFL. Coach Tim Malone said Lakers had been scratchy in areas such as ball-handling and kicking for goal in its opening round last-gasp win, and he expected improvement across the board.
SEBASTOPOL: It has been a lengthy wait, but the Burra finally hit the ground. Unfortunately it will be without Brett Goodes, who is expected to miss two weeks a strained calf. Coach Shane Snibson said there was real excitement about place after a long pre-season. "Everyone's keen." Young recruits Geoff Lovett and Billy Hoyes will debut as Sebastopol looks to add pace.
PREDICTION: Lake Wendouree
MELTON v DARLEY
at MacPherson Park, Saturday, 2.20pm
LAST TIME: round 10, 2016, Darley 13.10 (88) d Melton 9.9 (63)
MELTON: The Bloods desperately need to respond after two defeats. Gus Grigg returns after suspension, but they will need this and more in their first home fixture. Coach Brad Murphy said Melton was nothing short of "embarrassing" in its loss to Sunbury and saying a big improvement was needed was an understatement. Daniel Walker suffered a sickening dislocated elbow in "friendly fire" at Sunbury and will miss six to eight weeks, which does not help Melton's cause.
DARLEY: The Devils have set the bar high, but they are not about to underestimate a wounded Melton. Coach Heath Scotland said he had given his players a lighter week after a physically demanding clash with Bacchus Marsh. Corey Cullen has been ruled out with a strained hamstring
PREDICTION: Darley
REDAN v EAST POINT
at City Oval, Saturday, 2.20pm
LAST TIME: round 4, 2016, Redan 15.5 (95) d East Point 13.15 (93)
REDAN: This is a game in which each of the combatants could easily have a win under its belt. Losing to a goal after the siren hurts more than most defeats. While it missed out on the points, Redan won plenty of admirers. Their tackling and defensive structures were outstanding and will again play a key role. Nick Willox is a big loss though after kicking five goals against Lake Wendouree. Coach Brendan Peace said Willoz had not recovered from a corky received late in the game. Nathan Horbury, who was hampered by an ankle injury in that game, has been cleared to play.
EAST POINT: new coach Jake Bridges said he and his players had learnt a lot from its draw with Ballarat, with some facets of the performance he could guarantee would be improved. Importantly the Kangaroos got through injury-free and knowing they have a focal point in attack in Bryson McDougall can build on their potency.
PREDICTION: Redan