Darley 11.12 (78) d Bacchus Marsh 11.11 (77)
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
By David Brehaut
A spirited Darley dug deep to edge out arch-rival Bacchus Marsh by one point in the Ballarat Football League at Maddingley Park on Saturday.
Bacchus Marsh had every opportunity to launch the new season on a winning note in the grand final rematch, but there could be no denying the reigning premier.
The Cobras had Darley on the canvas in the third term.
With the influential Dan Roy (knee) out of the game, mercurial Steve Kennedy on one leg and youngster Matt Young yellow carded as well as carrying shoulder soreness, Bacchus Marsh surged away to a 31-point lead with five unanswered goals.
Small forwards Ryley Stulhdreier, Ben Speight and Billy Griffiths were all over the Darley defence, and the likes of Jake Owen and Jacob Chisari had worked their way into the game.
Ironically, it was the return of Young which helped ignite Darley’s revival.
The Devils had had Bacchus Marsh on the run earlier, with the home combination not getting going until it injected some run into its game in the second term.
The Darley revival began with two goals against the run of play late in the third quarter to narrow the margin to 18 points.
Not surprisingly, the 35-minute last quarter developed into a last-man standing affair.
While Bacchus Marsh was unable to add to it goals tally, Darley chipped away until Abe Kur levelled the scored on 18 minutes.
The Devils managed the next two behinds and that proved enough despite Bacchus Marsh having the football in its forward half for most of the last 10 minutes, when Darley was able to smother the Cobras with a succession of stoppages and ball-ups.
Recruit Dylan Reid was dominant in the ruck for Darley, but it was captain and defender Shane Page who was the stand-out player as a steadying influence and continuous release point in a performance highlighted by two potential match-saving marks late in the day.
Brian Graham also had a lot of the football, while Darren Leonard and Jacob Zeestraten played important defensive roles.
Scott Sherlock and Tyson Shea were energetic around the ball for the Cobras, while Aaron Willitts was in and out of the game with three goals. Two of his goals came in the opening three minutes of the second term to get Bacchus Marsh back in the game.
Cobras recruit Jacob Chisari suffered concussion in the third quarter and was unable to return to the field.
Darley 2.6, 6.8, 8.9, 11.12 (78)
Bacchus Marsh 0.3, 5.5, 11.9, 11.11 (77)
GOALS - Darley: Abraham Kur 2, Harley Inglis 2, Rhys Ellis 2, Dylan Reid 1, Daniel Robson 1, Brian Graham 1, Matthew Young 1, Leigh Spiteri 1. Bacchus Marsh: Aaron Willitts 3, Billy Griffiths 2, Benjamin Speight 2, Ryley Stuhldreier 2, Dylon Bishop 1, Jake Owen 1
BEST - Darley: Shane Page, Brian Graham, Dylan Reid, Jacob Zeestraten, Leigh Spiteri, Darren Leonard. Bacchus Marsh: Aaron Willitts, Scott Sherlock, Daniel Burton, Jake Owen, Liam Mullen, Nicholas Stuhldreier
North Ballarat City 16.13 (109) d Sebastopol 5.13 (43)
By Michael Hankin
North Ballarat City reminded the competition just what it is capable of in disposing of a new-look Sebastopol by 66 points in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday night.
Twin towers Will Young and recruit Sam Dunstan were instrumental in setting up a perfect start to the season for City at Marty Busch Reserve.
They provided early firepower as North jumped the Burra, with former Vic Country under-19 representative Dunstan kicking five goals and Young three.
It was a satisfying first-up performance for new North City coach Shane Skontra, who was impressed with the evenness of his side’s performance.
Hutchinson: Burra must now regorup
“We were in one of those situations where it was a bit of an unknown as to how both sides would shape up, but I was happy that we were able to nail some goals early and then settle into the game.
“They (Sebastopol) had their chances early and had they have taken them it would have changed the dynamics of the game.
“The boys are really good at knowing their role and particularly in the forward line everyone has a go and maybe getting onto a few goals, but we had a really good spread among the playing group tonight,” he said.
There was an air of anticipation among the strong crowd, which was keen to see the influence of Sebastopol’s high-profile recruits.
North quickly took the wind out of Burra’s sails though, kicking the first four goals to lead by 16 points at the first break.
Ryan Luke led a settled North defence, and by half-time the margin was 30 points. There was to be no comeback by the home outfit.
Sebastopool coach Leigh Hutchinson was disappointed, but open to the suggestion that the side might gain momentum after playing some more games together.
“It’s really disappointing, the result. Maybe it is the first game, but the challenge is now to regroup, knowing what we need to do and executing it. We certainly have the talent pool to produce better than that,” he said.
North Ballarat City 4.4, 8.8, 11.9, 16.14 (110)
Sebastopol 1.6, 3.8, 4.11, 5.13 (43)
GOALS - North Ballarat City: Samuel Dunstan 5, Daniel Jones 3, William Young 3, Tyler George 2, Timothy Speirs 1, Keenan George 1, Adam Turley 1. Sebastopol: not supplied
BEST - North Ballarat City: Timothy Speirs, Ryan Luke, Tyler George, Samuel Dunstan, Ryan Hobbs, Joshua Bromley-Lynch. Sebastopol: not supplied
Melton 15.8 (98) d Melton South 10.12 (72)
By Michael Hankin
Melton started its BFLseason on a high by defeating a disappointing Melton South by 27 points at MacPherson Park on Saturday.
The Bloods were in control all day after a dominant first term – kicking six goals to two to lead by 26 points.
Recruit Matt Denham had an immediate impact for the Bloods, with his pace and clean disposal on show.
The absence of suspended Brendan Fevola caused issues for Melton South, with the Panthers struggling to hit targets up forward.
Connor Griffiths worked his way into the game to lead a strong Melton midfield, while Braedan Kight and Liam Carter provided focal points up forwards.
Facing a 38-point deficit at half-time, Panthers co-coach Ash Manning pleaded with his players to will their way back into the contest.
Melton South finally managed to turn it on with a five-goal last term, but it was too little too late.
Melton coach Aaron Tymms was buoyed by the effort and desire of his troops.
“We only won one first term for the season last year so to start the way we did was great.
“We probably dropped away a bit in the last term, but to play three decent quarters of footy was fantastic.
“Our midfield really set the tone for us.”
A dejected Manning could not hide his disappointment.
“They outworked us, they out tackled us and out hunted us, and our first 15 minutes just wasn’t up to scratch," he said.
Melton 6.4, 10.7, 13.8, 15.8 (98)
Melton South 2.2, 4.5, 5.7, 10.12 (72)
GOALS - Melton: Braedan Kight 3, Liam Carter 2, Connor Griffiths 2, Billy Crofts 1, Jaycob Hickey 1, Matt Denham 1, Darren Haby 1, Kurt Baker 1, Ryan Davis 1, Jack Walker 1, Ryan Carter 1. Melton South: Mitchell Golby 3, Shaun White 2, Billy Sullivan 1, David Callus 1, Sean Humphries 1, Dale Houghton 1, Mark Lynch 1
BEST - Melton: Connor Griffiths, Matt Denham, Liam Carter, Ben Archard, Darren Haby, Billy Crofts. Melton South: Lachlan Watkins, Mark Lynch, Daniel Vasjuta, Farren Ray, Mitchell Golby, Reece Miles
Sunbury 23.11 (149) d Redan 3.13 (31)
Sunbury gave Redan an old-fashioned thrashing in the BFL battle of the lions at Sunbury on Saturday.
The Eastern Lions out-classed their less experienced opponent, setting up the victory with an eight-goal to one opening term.
Redan coach Brendan Peace said Sunbury’s work-rate was superior and its use of the football too clean.
“They didn’t let us get into it. We have to learn by it,” he said.
Redan, which lost centre half forward Ben Smyth in the second quarter with mlld concussion, had almost as many inside 50s but could not capitalise.
Sunbury coach Ben Jordan said it had been pleasing to be able to score much more freely than it was accustomed to in what he felt was a clinical display all round.
Trent Stead was a beneficiary of this with five goals, while Coburg VFL-listed Mitch Conn impressed.
Sunbury key defender Tristan Lenaz will face fitness tests after suffering an ankle injury in the third quarter.
Sunbury 8.1, 13.5, 18.9, 23.11 (149)
Redan 1.4, 3.7, 3.10, 3.13 (31)
GOALS - Sunbury: Trent Stead 5, Michael Edwards 3, Alik Magin 3, Aaron Christensen 3, Grant Valles 2, Jack Sheahan 2, Nathan Wood 1, Patrick MacDonough 1, Mitchell Conn 1, Ben Guthrie 1, Andrew Duhau 1. Redan: Alexander Harvey 2, Kyle Hayes 1
BEST - Sunbury: Mitchell Conn, Jayden Eales, Nathan Wood, Bradley Mundy, Trent Stead, Aaron Christensen. Redan: Liam Hoy, Cooper Craig-Peters, Alexander Harvey, Orren Stephenson, Tanner Hamilton, Matthew Coon
East Point 18.10 (118) Ballarat 3.9 (27)
East Point took just 14 minutes to put Ballarat to the sword in the BFL at Alfredton on Saturday night.
The Kangaroos opened up a 24-point lead and that was virtually game over.
Ballarat did not kick its first goal until seven minutes into the third quarter with East Point leading by 75 points.
East coach Jake Bridges said while there had been some teething problems owing to the new dynamics of the line-up, but the players had delivered on all the basics to land the desire result.
With veteran ruckman Paul Koderenko ensuring the Roos first use of the football, they dominated in attack through the marking power and strong leading of Northern Blues VFL-listed Jordan Johnston (6 goals), and Brad Whittaker and Joel Essendon VFL-listed Joel Ottavi three majors apiece.
Ballarat managed to strengthen the defensive side of its game late in what coach Shane Hutchinson described as an “embarrassing” display.
East Point 8.3, 11.4, 16.7, 18.10 (118)
Ballarat 0.1, 0.3, 1.5, 3.9 (27)
GOALS - East Point: Jordan Johnston 6, Joel Ottavi 4, Rhys Monument 3, Matthew Johnston 2, Brad Whittaker 2, Jacob Brown 1. Ballarat: Hayden Hughes 1, Mitchell Bowman 1, Carter Prendergast 1
BEST - East Point: Ryan Walsh, Joseph Dodd, Brad Whittaker, Drew Murphy, Aden Nestor, Mickitja Rotumah-Onus. Ballarat: Daniel Kennedy, Shane Hutchinson, Sam James, Mitchell Martin, Keegan Mellington, Luke Wynd