DARLEY v LAKE WENDOUREE
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at Darley Park, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 7 2017 - Lake Wendouree 12.12 (84) d Darley 9.17 (71)
Would the real Darley please stand up?
It looks like being some weeks before the Ballarat Football League really begins to take shape with still far too many unknowns.
The biggest question is where does reigning premier Darley stand?
The Devils have been disappointing. It has not just been losses to Melton and Sunbury, it is the way they have lost.
Coach Heath Scotland saw some better signs against Sunbury – although it is difficult to forgive giving up a three-goal lead late – and he is hoping Darley can kick on and get back into a winning way against Lake Wendouree at Darley Park on Saturday.
Lakers’ players losses have been well documented and on top of this it has already endured some injuries, with Jack Elkington and number one ruckman Arthur Amstrong (ankle) out along an absent Ben Taylor.
Darley made minimal list changes, but it has a substantially diminished line-up, with youngster Jai Dodemaide (ribs) and Rhys Eliis (knee) the latest injuries. At least Matt Young (shoulder/suspension) is back.
For Scotland, right now it is all about getting the processes right. He said the Devils were ready for a tight contest – “a grind...an arm wrestle, whatever it takes.”
For Lake Wendouree coach Dale Power, this game will provide the best guide so far as to where Lakers are in the big picture. They have done everything asked of them to date, winning their two games.
It has to remembered though that they have been against Ballarat and Redan, which are expected to finish outside the top six. Theyare substantially bolstered though with Joel and Lachie O'Connell, and Nathan Pring all back.
Now if Power and the likes of Gus Kirby, Bailey Edwards, Sean Wilmott, Ash Simpson and Tim Mullane, who is playing with a new freedom this season, could get Lakers over the line against Darley, what a statement that would be.
PREDICTION: Darley
Darley
B: C. Cullen, D. Reid, A. Azzopardi
HB: J. Zeestraten, L. Delahey, D. Leonard
C: L. Spiteri, S. Page, T. Evans
HF: M. Young, M. Hanson, J. Carrick
F: H. Inglis, R. Closter, D. Robson
R: A. Kur, B. Graham, L. Baker
Int: L. Herring, J. Spiteri, J. Cadman, M. Ward
Emg: J. Bewley, S. Kennedy
In: L. Herring, M. Young, J. Cadman
Out: R. Ellis (knee), J. Dodemaide (ribs), L. Cahill
Lake Wendouree
B: S. Clifton, T. Littore, A. Kirby
HB: T. Malone, L. O'Connell, W. Henderson
C: H. Robertson, C. Hepworth, N. Nash
HF: N. Pring, L. Hepworth, K. Raven
F: J. O'Connell, C. McKay, A. Simpson
R: T. McKechnie, S. Willmott, B. Edwards
Int: T. Madden, A. Gillett, N. Clifton, X. Schuurs
Emg: T. Salau
In: J. O'Connell, L. O'Connell, T. Madden, N. Pring, N. Clifton, X. Schuurs
Out: M. Phillips (collarbone), A. Armstrong (ankle), T. Nijam, B. Taylor, J. Lohmann, S. Hepworth,
REDAN V EAST POINT
at City Oval, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 13, 2017 - Redan 13.12 (90) d East Point 11.13 (79)
LIONS (11th): The big plus is the return of Nathan Horbury from Geelong in the VFL. What a difference he will make and against one of the competition's form teams he will need to.
Redan has shown some good signs in patches, but with the likes of coach Brendan Peace, Dan Colbert and Dean Chester still injured it makes it hard get the right balance with plenty of inexperience.
The Lions' best approach right now is to take risks and all the signs are they are willing to do that. The defence of Pat Britt, Jacob Short and Jarrett Giampaolo is steady, but they will feel the heat in this one.
KANGAROOS (2nd): East Point has been bolstered by the return of influential young forwards Joel Ottavi back from Essendon in the VFL and Jordan Johnston (AFL Young Guns Series).
They give the Roos' attack some real potency and the potential to run over the top of the Lions.
If East is to be the real deal this season it needs to have a hard edge and this is exactly what it showed in coming from the jaws of defeat to get over Melton. There is a lot to like about East.
Cam Lovig (concussion) is being given another week off.
PREDICTION: East Point
Redan
B: J. Giampaolo, P. Britt, D. Okely
HB: P. Fitzgibbon, J. Short, Z. Jenkins
C: J. Jess, N. Horbury, L. Phillips
HF: D. Mathews, G. Bell, A. Harvey
F: L. McLean, W. Madden, T. Douglass
R: O. Stephenson, L. Hoy, M. Coon
Int: J. Toulmin, S. Carr, A. Gercovich, B. Schiltz
Emg: C. Inglis, X. Curran, K. Hayes
In: J. Toulmin, S. Carr, N. Horbury
Out: C. Craig-Peters, T. Hamilton, H. Edwards (unavailable)
East Point
B: A. Maconachie, R. Walsh, M. Walsh
HB: C. Bilney, J. Van Meel, D. Tung
C: A. Nestor, M. Johnston, L. Dahlenburg
HF: J. Johnston, B. Whittaker, M. Rotumah-Onus
F: J. Ottavi, B. McDougall, J. McQueen
R: P. Kodorenko, J. Brown, D. Semmens
Int: J. Taylor, C. Carson, D. Murphy, R. Monument
Emg: C. Quinlan, L. Thornton, N. Canny, M. McCrow
In: J. Ottavi, C. Carson, J. Johnston
Out: J. Payne, L Thornton, N. Canny
SUNBURY V MELTON
at Clarke Oval, Saturday, 6.15pm
LAST MET: round 15, 2017 - Sunbury 8.7 (55) d Melton 4.7 (31)
LIONS (1st): What a start they have had. Three wins on end and on top of the ladder.
With a two-week break ahead of it, Sunbury will be throwing everything they have and more at this battle against one of their biggest rivals.
Having VFL-listed Mitch Conn and Lachie Bramble to complement stalwarts such as Dwain Sanderson, Reece Wood, Patrick Macdonough and Nathan Bridgland has provided some added spice.
Sunbury has been the most resilient combination in the BFL over the past two decades and this year is no exception.
BLOODS (5th): They are still kicking themselves after losing a game they had shot the pieces against East Point.
Coach Aaron Tymms said after doing all the right things for three quarters Melton went away from the possession game it had refined pre-season and benefitted from in the first two rounds.
The Bloods made some low percentage plays and paid the price. Do not expect the same to happen again.
Sunbury
B: D. Sanderson, B. Mundy, R. Wood
HB: M. Conn, P. MacDonough, L. Bramble
C: L. Berry, N. Wood, A. Christensen
HF: D. Landt, G. Valles, M. Edwards
F: T. Stead, A. Duhau, J. Rizk
R: J. Eales, G. Hay, A. Magin
Int: B. Guthrie, A. Goodson, R. Allen, N. Bridgland
Emg: T. Lenaz, J. Fenner, J. Hannett, W. Healy, M. Trimboli
In: D. Landt
Out: T. Lenaz
Melton
B: L. Heaney, R. Carter, L. Ericson
HB: B. Crofts, B. McIntyre, L. Walker
C: J. Hickey, J. Walker, R. Walker
HF: J. Cotter, D. Haby, J. May
F: B. Kight, L. Carter, R. Davis
R: B. Archard, C. Griffiths, M. Denham
Int: T. Button, K. Wilson, M. Beck, L. Hickey
Emg: B. Mawson, K. Derose, J. Taylor, D. Walker, N. Gale
In: K. Wilson
Out: K. Baker (hamstring)
PREDICTION: Sunbury
MELTON SOUTH V BACCHUS MARSH
at Melton Recreation Reserve, Saturday, 2.15pm
LAST MET: round 14, 2017 - Bacchus Marsh 14.19 (103) d Melton South 7.10 (52)
PANTHERS (9th): If ever a team needs a win, it is Melton South. Losses to Melton and Sunbury - teams they beat last year - have put a sizeable dent in Melton South's finals aspirations.
And as hard as it has been so far, Bacchus Marsh is about to make it all the more difficult.
Co-coach Ash Manning admits he has a problem in finding a big enough defence. That is a worry.
And then of course there is still no Brendan Fevola.
COBRAS (4th): Skipper Scott Sherlock has been named despite popping a shoulder last round. The Cobras will not take any chances, but Sherlock is eager to play and there are few tougher competiitors in the competition.
Bacchus Marsh still has some handy players injured, plus Lachie Phyland suspended and it certainly will not be taking any chances.
The Cobras have already shown enough to suggest they are going to again to be a force, with new faces Jacon Chisari, Jake Owen and Aaron Willitts making impacts.
They expect it to be physical in tight confines, but the Marsh likes nothing better.
PREDICTION: Bacchus Marsh
Melton South
B: D. Hillier, J. Ficheroux, D. Leggett
HB: M. Sullivan, C. Searle, L. Watkins
C: D. Callus, F. Ray, D. Sharp
HF: M. Notman, S. White, B. Sullivan
F: D. Houghton, M. Golby, B. Sullivan
R: B. Sortino, M. Lynch, R. Miles
Int: F. Holzer, S. Humphries, C. Ogston, D. Conway
Emg: W. Thornton-Gielen, J. Charge, D. Vasjuta, R. Holzer
In: J. Ficheroux, F. Holzer, C. Ogston, D. Conway
Out: W. Thornton-Gielen, J. Charge, D. Vasjuta, R. Holzer
Bacchus Marsh
B: M. Sutherland, L. Mullen, D. Foley
HB: J. Chisari, T. Angwin, J. Trowsdale
C: A. Del Papa, T. Shea, H. Coulton
HF: B. Speight, J. Owen, D. Phyland
F: R. Stuhldreier, A. Willitts, B. Griffiths
R: D. Burton, N. Stuhldreier, S. Sherlock
Int: M. Chisari, T. Wardell, B. Cracknell, D. Bishop
Emg: L. Blundell, D. Velden
In: B. Cracknell, T. Wardell, D. Foley
Out: L. Phyland (suspended), S. Lafranchi (groin), D. Velden
BALLARAT V NORTH BALLARAT CITY
at Alfredton, Saturday, 6.15pm
LAST MET: round 13, 2017 - North City 17.15 (117) d Ballarat 9.10 (64)
SWANS (8th): Their main challenge is delivering the same that they took to the table in demolishing Sebastopol.
That performance came from nowhere. Ballarat now has to show it was not just a once-off against a bigger and more settled line-up.
This will need start in the midfield to ensure its forwards get opportunities and defenders are not swamped. Tom Schnerring returns to Williamstown in the VFL, while youngster Jesse Marshall is back after a pre-season knee issue.
NORTH (6th): There is nothing like a wake-up call and after two wins this was what City was given at Bacchus Marsh.
Stung by that, Shane Skontra's charges are eager to make amends against much different opposition.
Tall forwards Will Young and Sam Dunstan have already shown their worth and with support from Daniel Jones, Tim Speirs, Ryan Luke and Simon McCartin up the field they are going to be hard to stop.
PREDICTION: North Ballarat City
Ballarat
B: A. Stepnell, M. Bishop, L. Wynd
HB: J. Marshall , B. Van de Heuvel, D. Kennedy
C: N. Garner, S. Hutchinson, P. Vivian
HF: T. Constable, T. Conroy, C. Prendergast
F: M. Bowman, H. Hughes, J. Blackburn
R: M. Powling, K. Mellington, W. Garner
Int: J. Wall, J. Antonio, B. Fraser, J. Sutherland
Emg: B. Davidson, A. McPherson, J. Nicholls
In: J. Wall, J. Marshall , J. Sutherland
Out: T. Schnerring, S. James, M. Martin
North Ballarat City
B: B. Leonard, R. Hobbs, C. Perks
HB: B. Simpson , R. Luke, S. Bromley-Lynch
C: C. Jenkins, D. Jones, O. Nash
HF: M. Gilbert, S. Dunstan, J. Sclanders
F: T. Bromley-Lynch, W. Young, T. George
R: N. Dunstan, T. Speirs, S. Mc Cartin
Int: H. Loader, J. Bromley-Lynch, J. Cusack, M. Giddings
Emg: M. Johns, N. Olver, B. Draffin
In: T. Bromley-Lynch, J. Bromley-Lynch, M. Giddings
Out: E. Lamb (Rebels), N. Olver, B. Draffin