A formidable force awaits Ballarat City in Saturday night’s home fixture against Dandenong Thunder.
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His name is Brandon Barnes and he scores goals for fun.
The Thunder star enjoyed a stellar 2016 campaign in which he found the net 41 times to win the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 golden boot, player’s player and best and fairest awards.
And he has started the new season with a bang, scoring heavily in the early part of 2017.
Most recently, Barnes managed a late brace to give his side a 3-2 victory over Whittlesea Ranges last weekend.
“He’s more an attacking midfielder, but can play up front. He has just got an unbelievable goal sense and a left foot that wouldn’t be out of place at the highest level,” Ballarat manager Danny Gnjidic said.
Despite the threat of Barnes, Gnjidic is aiming to not compromise his team’s style and structure because of one player.
Gnjidic and his boys head into Saturday’s clash at Morshead Park on the back of a 1-0 win over Springvale White Eagles.
That result was Ballarat’s fourth win from its past five outings and leaves the side eighth on the west division table.
The team has 16 points, and while 15 behind leaders Northcote City, is just six off second-placed Moreland Zebras.
Gnjidic said his team is marginally behind where he hoped to be at this point in the campaign, but he remains confident it still has the chance to press for second place and potential promotion by season’s end.
“April was a good month for us, but we are probably a couple of points behind where we really want to be,” he said.
Last weekend’s game was the last in a run of three-straight away fixtures, with Ballarat now at home to the Thunder and again against Melbourne Victory the following weekend.
This Saturday’s match kicks off from 6pm.