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NORTH BALLARAT CITY V BACCHUS MARSH
North Ballarat City found a way to register victory over a persistent Bacchus Marsh in the Ballarat Football League at Mars Stadium on Saturday.
While the match was up for grabs well into the last quarter, North should have put it away much earlier.
Errant kicking by North Ballarat kept the door ajar for the Cobras.
Final scores: North Ballarat City 9.23 (77) d Bacchus Marsh 9.9 (63)
City had more than opportunities in the first term to lead comfortably, but 1.8 meant it had just a six-point buffer.
North continued to be hindered by inaccuracy in the second term - allowing Bacchus Marsh to brab a three-point lead.
The Cobras' Jake Owen proved to be a handful for the North defence, whilst busy onballewr Jacob Chisari showed his value with an impressive display in the midfield.
North Ballarat lifted after the break as it looked to right its wrongs, with Sam Willian and Will Young focal points.
However, the home side still could not improve its conversion in front of goal - only managing to draw level at the final change.
When it counted though, North was able to pounce and do enough damage with 4.4 as Willian, Josh Bromley-Lynch and Simon McCartin lifted in the midfield.
Bacchus Marsh was ultimately unable to cope with the run and carry of North Ballarat through the likes of Daniel Jones.
North Ballarat coach Shane Skontra said City had been able to expose the Cobras' flaws to gain an ascendancy.
Bacchus Marsh coach Peter Davey was disappointed in his team's efforts and inability to punish City's turnovers.
Davey felt his side had all the luck in the world to remain in the game,ut ultimately that luck ran out.
North Ballarat City 1.8, 2.13, 5.19, 9.23 (77)
Bacchus Marsh 1.2, 4.4, 7.7, 9.9 (63)
GOALS - North Ballarat City: J. Chatfield 2, W. Young 2, S. Willian 2, T. Speirs 1, B. Simpson 1, D. Jones 1 Bacchus Marsh: J. Owen 3, J. Chisari 2, A. Willitts 2, H. Coulton 1, H. King 1
BEST - North Ballarat City: S. Willian, C. McCallum, J. Bromley-Lynch, S. Mc Cartin, B. Simpson, O. Nash. Bacchus Marsh: J. Chisari, J. Owen, T. Wardell, D. Burton, N.
SEBASTOPOL V BALLARAT
Sebastopol escaped a scare from Ballarat at Marty Busch Reserve on Saturday night.
The Burra was in full control at half-time - leading by 28 points.
The Swans turned the game on its head with a surging third quarter and drew level in the last term, only to see Sebastopol steady and get a 21-point win after two late goals.
Sebastopol had a little too much poise through the likes of Luke Kiel, who looked all class, and Brett Goodes, who had a different role in attack rather than his customary half-back responsibilities.
The Swans also played into the Burra's hands too often late, allowing new ruckman Toby Thoolen too much influence.
Young recruit Lochie Dawson impressed for Ballarat.
Sebastopol coach Leigh Hutchinson said the third quarter had been disappointing after having such a tight grip on the game.
"They caught us off guard."
Hutchinson said the Swans had changed their approach and it had taken his players a while to adjust.
He said in the end Sebastopol had produced the right response to secure a game that in the past might have slipped through their fingers.
Ballarat coach Joe Carmody said despite the loss there were plenty of positives to take out of the game, given there had been a significant number of newcomers.
He said being able to slow down Sebastopol in the second half had been crucial in getting back into the match.
The Swans have a short turn around, with their next assignment being against Redan on Good Friday.
Redan had a bye in the opening round.
Sebastopol 4.2, 7.8, 7.10, 12.15 (87)
Ballarat 3.1, 3.5, 6.10, 9.12 (66)
Ballarat GOALS - Sebastopol: D. Widgery 2, L. Kiel 2, N. Hausler, B. Weightman, G. Lovett, M. Austin, T. Hutt, C. Dummett, L. Cassidy, B. Goodes. Ballarat: L. Dawson 2, N. O''Farrell 2, J. Blackburn 2, A. Munari, D. Kennedy, M. Brehaut
BEST - Sebastopol: H. Papst, L. Kiel, S. Jenkins, L. Cassidy, G. Snowden, T. Thoolen. Ballarat: N. Weightman, M. Martin, L. Dawson, B. Van de Heuvel, D. Kennedy, S. James
EAST POINT V LAKE WENDOUREE
East Point coach Jake Bridges has already signalled a slight adjustment in the reigning premier's game style after a 101-point win over Lake Wendouree at the Eastern Oval on Saturday.
Bridges said the Roos had been noticeably been much more proactive in launching major attacking moves from deeper in defence - not particularly a feature last year.
He pointed to the influence of Lucas Dahlenburg and Joel Man Meel as key movers.
East Point raced away from Lakers at with an 11-goal spree in the last quarter - led by Jordan Johnston.
He kicked four of his five in the term, including two in the opening few minutes to take away any momentum Lake Wendouree had.
The Lakers were buoyant after an improved third quarter.
Although it did not do a lot of damage on the scoreboard, Lake Wendouree matched the Kangaroos in most facets and stopped them in their tracks.
Coach Dale Power told his players at the last change of the importance of getting the first few goals in the final term to keep their run going.
Unfortunately for Lakers, East Point quickly assumed control.
Brad Whittaker finished with seven goals after a big start in the Kangaroos' seven-goal first term.
Jaykeb Lench looks like being more than a handy pick-up on his return to the club after time in the army.
He teamed will with Paul Koderenko in the ruck, with his size troubling Lakers.
Power was disappointed with the way Lakers finished off after having plenty to like about the third term.
Even though it was a strength of East Point through the likes of Mickitja Rotumah-Onus and Matt Johnston, Power was pleased with the work his midfield.
Power said structures around wings had been an issue last season, but he was encouraged by what youngsters Jacob Lohmann, Ambrose Gillett and recuit Josh Bibby had shown.
East Point 7.5, 11.12, 13.14, 24.17 (161)
Lake Wendouree 3.1, 5.3, 7.5, 9.6 (60)
GOALS - East Point: B. Whittaker 7, J. Johnston 5, B. McDougall 3, J. Brown 3, M. Romeril 2, M. Johnston 1, M. Walsh 1, J. Baird 1, M. Tuddenham 1. Lake Wendouree: C. McKay 3, L. Hepworth 1, B. Taylor 1, S. Hutchinson 1, A. Simpson 1, S. Carlin 1, N. Pring 1
BEST - East Point: M. Rotumah-Onus, L. Dahlenburg, B. Whittaker, J. Johnston, J. McQueen, B. Jones. Lake Wendouree: J. O'Connell, L. O'Connell, C. Mc Kay, A. Gillett, L. Hepworth, C. Hepworth
MELTON SOUTH V MELTON
While acknowledging it could have been better, Melton coach Aaron Tymms was satisfied with a 52-point win over Melton South at Melton Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Melton did not shake off the Panthers until half-time, after which the home side was limited to just one goal.
Tymms said after putting an emphasis on goalkicking and improved conversion in the off-season it had been disappointing with the scoreline.
Not surprisingly it was a theme in his post-match address.
Tymms acknowledged how good Melton South was in the first half, with the pressure they put on the Bloods enuring a tight contest.
VFL-listed Dylan Conway provided plenty of headaches, forcing Melton to switch recruit Shaun Campbell onto him in a defensive role.
Melton South coach Heath Pritchard said the Panthers' first half performance reflected everything they were striving to achieve.
"It's the brand of football we want to play.
"There was pressure and we defended really well."
Pritchard said unfortunately Melton wore them down physically.
"We have to find a way to ensure this doesn't happen.
"We're not happy with admirable losses.
"We're here to win," he said.
Melton 1.5, 6.10, 7.19, 12.27 (99)
Melton South 2.2, 5.5, 6.7, 6.11 (47)
GOALS - Melton: B. Kight 3, S. Campbell 2, R. Walker 1, D. Stevens 1, C. Griffiths 1, B. Archard 1, L. Carter 1, J. Kight 1, D. Haby 1. Melton South: W. Thornton-Gielen 4, J. Vincent 2
BEST - Melton: C. Griffiths, D. Stevens, S. Campbell, M. Brockwell, A. Hibbert, J. Hickey. Melton South: D. Leggett, W. Thornton-Gielen, L. Watkins, D. Houghton, B. Hooper, R. Theo
DARLEY V SUNBURY
Darley dented Sunbury's hopes with a convincing 36-point win at Darley Park on Saturday.
The Lions went into the game with high hopes after strong recuiting and with favourite son Travis Hodgson at the helm.
However, it was a young outfit under the guidance of Heath Scotland which locked away the game with a superior second half.
Recruit Trent Angwin found himself in a different role - kicking goals, and finished with two majors against his former coach.
The ever reliable Darren Leonard and Shane Page were prominent as was ex-Carlton player Nick Graham.
Darley 0.3, 5.7, 9.9, 13.13 (91)
Sunbury 1.4, 3.7, 5.11, 7.13 (55)
GOALS - Darley: M. Hanson 3, D. Leonard 2, T. Angwin 2, S. Page 2, J. Spiteri 1, C. Young 1, N. Graham 1, J. Cadman 1. Sunbury: D. Kempster 2, B. Guthrie 1, A. Magin 1, L. Bramble 1, J. Landt 1, J. Sheahan 1
BEST - Darley: D. Leonard, S. Page, T. Angwin, N. Graham, A. Azzopardi, M. Hanson. Sunbury: A. Magin, M. Conn, D. Landt, L. Bramble, R. Wood, J. Eales
LADDER
EAST POINT 4, 268.33 0
MELTON 4, 210.64 0
DARLEY 4, 165.45 0
SEBASTOPOL 4, 131.82 0
NORTH BALLARAT CITY 4, 122.22 0
REDAN 4, - 0
Bacchus Marsh 0, 81.82
Ballarat 0, 75.86
Sunbury 0, 60.44
Melton South 0 , 47.470
Lake Wendouree 0, 37.270