REDAN v NORTH BALLARAT CITY
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at City Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 3 - Redan 9.16 (70) d North Ballarat City 9.11 (65)
Redan 4th - North Ballarat City 7th
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
This largely will be North Ballarat City’s approach against Redan in the Ballarat Football League at the City Oval on Saturday.
Suddenly in sight of the top six, North Ballarat can afford to throw caution to the wind, with coach Jordyn Burke ruling out any thoughts of being conservative.
While City still needs to execute with efficiency – particular pressing forward – the run and carry game which has resurrected its season remains the number priority.
“We have to be willing to take them on and stretch them by finding space...especially their midfield.”
North Ballarat City will surely never get a better chance to take out Redan, which takes an unsettled line-up into the game.
The Lions have made seven changes, losing the likes of Chris and Jarrett Giampaolo, Ben Schiltz and emerging youngster Keenan Waterbury.
On top of those, there is still no coach Brendan Peace, boom recruit Orren Stephenson or Callum Currie – all players which would a decisive difference.
Redan will still be formidable though.
Josh Webster, Ben Smyth and Grant Bell are back, and any team with the likes of Liam Hoy, Dean Mathews, Dean Chester, Mitch Phelps and Nathan Horbury is going to be hard to chase down.
This will be especially the case after Lions have worked so hard to get in touch of the top three.
North Ballarat has regained Mitch Giddings and Mitch Gilbert. Sam Bromley-Lynch (thumb) is still out, but overall it has a largely settled line-up in which players know their roles well.
Redan’s biggest headache might be closing down big forward Will Young, who has had a big influence, and Ryan Luke, who has been moved forward with great effectiveness.
These two were separated by less than a kick earlier in the year. This has the potential to be just as close.
PREDICTION: Lions
Redan
B: D. Chester, P. Britt, J. Short
HB: J. Webster, X. Curran, Z. Jenkins
C: T. Douglass, N. Horbury, T. Lamb
HF: J. Jess, B. Smyth, N. Willox
F: M. Phelps, L. Hoy, R. Waight
R: A. Cleary, G. Bell, D. Mathews
Int: S. Carr, P. Fitzgibbon, J. Baker, K. Hayes
Emg: L. McLean, L. Gill, D. Okely, D. Horbury
In: S. Carr, X. Curran
Out: J. Toulmin, K. Linton, J. Giampaolo, D. Watson, K. Waterbury, C. Giampaolo, B. Schiltz
North Ballarat City
B: C. Jenkins, C. Mc Grath, B. Draffin
HB: S. Willian, R. Luke, O. Nash
C: B. Simpson , D. Jones, A. Turley
HF: J. Burke, M. Johns, S. Mc Cartin
F: M. Giddings, W. Young, M. Curtis
R: N. Dunstan, D. Kilpatrick, J. Bromley-Lynch
Int: J. Curran, B. Leonard, M. Gilbert, T. McPhan
Emg: L. Simpson, J. Cusack
In: M. Gilbert, M. Giddings
Out: J. Vanderkley, H. Loader
SUNBURY v BALLARAT
at Clarke Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 8 - Lions 20.4 (124) d Swans 11.9 (75)
SUNBURY (5th): for coach Ben Jordan and the Lions, it is imperative they improve and get back into winning form after two defeats in a row.
Based on this week's fixture, there is every chance a win will give Sunbury a two-game break over the chasing pack.
The return of star onballer Alik Magin (concussion) is a massive plus, but the Lions will be without key defender Adam Short (groin), Mitch Trimboli (knee), Dean Muir (shoulder) and Lachlan Bramble, who returns to Williamstown.
BALLARAT (10th): one of the biggest issues for the Swans has been an inability to stop an opposition getting a run-on and with it taking away a game.
It led to their downfall against North Ballarat City and coach Shane Hutchinson is desperate to see it does not happen on a ground where he cannot remember the last time he played in a win.
Injuries have taken a toll as the season has progressed, so Ballarat will continue to test its depth and talent pool, to see where it takes it.
PREDICTION: Lions
Sunbury
B: R. Wood, T. Lenaz, N. Bridgland
HB: W. Healy, T. Stead, J. Rizk
C: J. Hannett, A. Magin, N. Wood
HF: J. Flannery, A. Goodson, T. Hill
F: A. Duhau, P. MacDonough, B. Said
R: D. Kovacevic, G. Hay, T. Donoghue
Int: M. Trimboli, B. Guthrie, M. Edwards, J. Eales
Emg: C. Smith, D. Jurczyluc, J. Dillon, B. Mundy, A. Sammut
In: J. Eales, T. Hill, A. Magin,
Out: L. Bramble, A. Short, D. Muir
Ballarat
B: J. Leonard, S. Wood, B. Fraser
HB: M. Martin, J. Sutherland, J. Blackburn
C: B. Rodd, S. Hutchinson, T. Constable
HF: J. Antonio, L. Wynd, D. Kennedy
F: N. O'Farrell, M. Powling, J. Marshall
R: B. Van de Heuvel, W. Garner, N. Garner
Int: T. Conroy, S. James, D. Hobbs, G. Shearer
Emg: J. Ford, T. Gillett, J. Nicholls, B. Hobbs, L. Hodgetts
In: S. James, T. Conroy
Out: A. Gray, J. Hill
LAKE WENDOUREE v MELTON
at CE Brown Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 4 - Lakers 13.12 (90) d Bloods 7.9 (51)
LAKE WENDOUREE (2nd): as disapppointing as losing to Bacchus Marsh was, the Lakers see it as only a minor setback.
The big news for coach Tim Malone is the return of the dynamic Nathan Pring (hamstring), who has not played since round eight. He will add so much to Lakers' attack and be a big help to spearhead Lucas Anderson.
They will be without Lachlan O'Connell (unavailable) and Joel O'Connell (GWV Rebels).
MELTON (9th): the Bloods are still focused on making finals. Coach Brad Murphy acknowledges this is going to be extremely tough against one of the stand-out sides.
He is also well aware that no matter what happens in this outing, Melton's finals hopes will be determined in the last four rounds when its meets all the teams it is vying with for sixth position and this is where its fate will be determined.
Murphy said he would be taking any chances with players who might be best served by having another week off before the launch of a what is effectively a mini-finals campaign.
PREDICTION: Lakers
Lake Wendouree
B: S. Carey, , B. Hayes
HB: T. Malone, N. Pring, A. Kirby
C: N. Monk, N. Peters, C. Mc Kay
HF: L. Bucknall, J. Hooper, S. Willmott
F: T. Nijam, L. Anderson, B. Taylor
R: A. Armstrong, S. Clifton, J. Alexander
Int: A. Simpson, L. Findlay, S. Clifton, K. Raven, H. Monk
Emg: H. Cartledge, N. Fraser, E. Mc Cuskey, A. Gillett
In: N. Pring, S. Clifton
Out: J. O'Connell, L. O'Connell
Melton
B: B. Archard, K. Baker, R. Davis
HB: L. Ericson, N. Gale, J. Gleeson
C: J. Hickey, A. Grigg, C. Griffiths
HF: J. Kight, B. Kight, L. Hickey
F: D. Sharp, J. May, B. McIntyre
R: K. Wilson, J. Walker, L. Walker
Int: N. Wallace, D. Walker, R. Walker, B. Newman
Emg: J. Grech, R. Carter, B. McGregor, M. Beck, D. Stevens
In: N. Wallace, B. Newman
Out: R. Carter, B. McGregor
MELTON SOUTH v BACCHUS MARSH
at Melton Recreation Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 4 - Cobras 20.13 (133) d Panthers 11.11 (77)
MELTON SOUTH (7th): at the start of the year joint coach Sean Triplett said he predicted rotating about 25 players through the seniors.
With five rounds remaining, the Panthers have used 42 players as they have been stretched to cover injury and get the lift it has needed after a bright start.
Now the experienced Jonathon Kent and Shaun White are battling soreness. It isn't what South needs against the reignhing premier.
BACCHUS MARSH (1st): Jarrah Maksymow will be conspicuous by his absence again. This time though it has nothing to do with disciplinary action, which forced him to play in the reserves last round. Coach Travis Hodgson said Maksymow was eligible for selection, but was unavailable because of family commitments.
Coach Travis Hodgson said there were no issues. "It's a case of family coming first."
Wary of the potential danger the Panthers pose, North Ballarat Roosters-listed and former St Kilda rookie Brenton Payne makes his senior debut with the Cobras, where he played hjis junior football. He is returning from injury. The Marsh also regains Matt Denham (shoulder) and Jayden Trowsdale (calf), but loses Kane White (hamstring) and Blake Graham (Western Jets).
PREDICTION: Cobras
Melton South
B: J. Watkins, A. El Houli, B. Sullivan
HB: J. Bell , S. White, W. Thornton-Gielen
C: M. Notman, B. Fevola, W. Dao
HF: C. Searle, D. Leggett, M. Lynch
F: J. Krojs, R. Holzer, M. Banner
R: B. Sortino, L. Watkins, B. Sullivan
Int: D. Callus, J. Charge, D. Hillier, J. Vincent
Emg: A. Clarke, D. Nicholson
In: J. Krojs, B. Sullivan, D. Hillier
Out: J. Kent, D. Vasjuta, D. Nicholson
Bacchus Marsh
B: M. Sutherland, T. Angwin, D. Velden
HB: J. Trowsdale, L. Phyland, J. Bolton
C: S. Lafranchi, T. Shea, D. Bishop
HF: D. Phyland, A. Del Papa, S. Sherlock
F: R. Stuhldreier, D. Burton, B. Griffiths
R: D. Heta, L. Blundell, M. Denham
Int: L. Mullen, H. Coulton, R. McNay, B. Payne
In: M. Denham, B. Payne, J. Trowsdale
Out: J. Hehir, K. White, B. Graham
DARLEY v EAST POINT
at Darley Park, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 6 - Devils 23.16 (154) d East Point 9.6 (60)
DARLEY (3rd): coach Heath Scotland is confident that if the Devils take their best to the table they can account for East Point, from which they expect nothing less than a full blown attack.
Rhys Ellis makes his return with one reserves under his belt since returning from overseas. He has not played seniors since round six, also against the Kangaroos. Captain Shane Page is also expected back.
Zak Butters and Matt Young return to Western Jets, while Darley is waiting to see whether Brian Graham (Essendon) and Leigh Spiteri (Geelong) have VFL commitments.
EAST POINT (6th): the Kangaroos have already provided a couple of surprises. Here is another opportunity before going to a bye. Darley has shown itself to vulnerable of late.
While the Devils demolished Sebastopol, this does not suggest they back in top form and East Point will be well aware of this and see an opportunity.
It is going to take a big turn around from last time they met, but if the Kangaroos are to continue their charge at finals they need to show out.
PREDICTION: Devils
Darley
B: J. Carrick, D. Leonard, D. Robson
HB: L. Delahey, N. Thacker, T. Evans
C: L. Baker, B. Inglis, C. Graham
HF: D. Roy, K. Docherty, C. Cullen
F: H. Inglis, B. Graham, R. Ellis
R: A. Cameron, M. Hanson, H. Scotland
Int: L. Spiteri, J. Ancrum, S. Page, D. Grenfell
Emg: J. Spiteri, T. Stone, J. Zeestraten
In: S. Page, R. Ellis
Out: M. Young, Z. Butters
East Point
B: A. Maconachie, R. Walsh, C. Carson
HB: C. Lee, M. Walsh, C. Quinlan
C: A. Nestor, J. Taylor, J. Watkins
HF: J. Buttler, C. Jackson, R. Monument
F: J. Draffin, B. McDougall, C. Bilney
R: P. Koderenko, D. Semmens, D. Tung
Int: H. Dawborn, J. Van Meel, A. Stevenson, M. Rotumah-Onus
Emg: J. Payne, J. McClure, A. Wright, S. Romeril
In: C. Bilney, A. Stevenson
Out: M. Tuddenham, J. McClure