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EAST POINT V SUNBURY
EAST Point bounced back after back-to-back defeats, but only just - holding out Sunbury by five points at the Eastern Oval.
There was little in the game all day, and a draw looked a strong possiblity when Sunbury fought back to level the scores deep into the last term.
Even after the Roos reclaimed the lead the Lions still had opportunities, but another behind was the best they could do.
It was a dour struggle from the outset, with goals hard to come by and tempers fraying on numerous occasions as the Roos and Lions tried to break the deadlock.
East's Clay Bilney kicked the first goal of the day in the 21st minute of the first quarter and with each side wasteful in attack this was the only major for the term.
The next did not come until 11 minutes into the second quarter. and again it went the Roos' way.
East Point led for all but a few minutes and was never more than three goals in front, with Sunbury clawing back the margin each time.
Roos coach Jake Bridges believed they had an opportunity to open up the game, but failed to take their chances.
"We could have put the game away early."
East was unable to put on the forward pressure it has become known for over the past few seasons, with the likes of Sunbury's Daylan Kempster shutting down leading goalkicker Brad Whittaker.
East Point now has a bye, which Bridges believes is timely with several players showing the signs of carrying wear and tear injuries.
Sunbury coach Travis Hodgson said there was a lot to like about the Lions, despite missing out on the points.
He said they had backed themselves to finish strongly, as they had been showing based on solid defensive work.
Ruckmen Jaykeb Lench (East Point) and Jayden Eales (Sunbury) enjoyed one of the best duels of the day.
The pace of Lachie Bramble (3 goals) troubled the Roos, who looked to the likely Jake McQueen and Jordan Johnston (3 goals) to provide spark.
Sunbury's Nathan Wood looks like being sidelined for an extended time after breaking a collarbone in the first half.
East Point 1.5, 4.11, 7.13, 9.18 (72)
Sunbury 0.5, 2.7, 7.11, 9.13 (67)
GOALS - East Point: J. Johnston 3, C. Bilney 2, M. Johnston 1, J. Brown 1, M. Rotumah-Onus 1, B. Jones 1. Sunbury: A. Goodson 3, L. Bramble 3, L. Brennan 2, J. Eales 1
BEST - East Point: J. Johnston, D. Murphy, C. Bilney, J. McQueen, J. Lench, J. Brown. Sunbury: M. Conn, L. Bramble, D. Kempster, T. Stead, C. Mobilio, J. Eales
LAKE WENDOUREE V MELTON
Lake Wendouree claimed the big scalp of Melton at CE Brown Reserve on Saturday.
Although the margin was relatively close - 11.6 (72) to 9.7 (61) - it was much more comfortable than the scoreline indicated.
Lakers led by 25 points well into time-on in the last term before Melton added two consolation goals.
Lake Wendouree had not tasted success since round three, with the subsequent three losses and a draw putting its finals hopes in jeopardy.
While they still have plenty of work to do, Lakers are at least back in the mix - especially given they still have the points from a bye to come in a few rounds.
Coach Dale Power said Lake Wendouree needed to build on the experience gained in the performance. "We need to push on."
He said producing four quarters of the football it needed to play had been the key.
"We played smart and stuck to our structures."
Lakers led by one point at half-time and then answered all the challenges the physically bigger Melton threw at them.
Being unable to stem a run-on by rivals has been a constant headache for Lakers, but Power was delighted they had been able to smother the Bloods and ultimately out-run them.
The loss is a setback for Melton, which drops a game behind the top three and finds itself in a mid-table battle.
It also continued a bad run at the ground for coach Aaron Tymms, who in his three years with the Bloods - one as an assistant and two as head coach - is yet to taste success at the venue.
Tymms said Lake Wendouree had had the greater work rate and run.
While many of Lakers' youngsters stood up, it was the experience of Ben Taylor, Nathan Pring Shane Hutchinson who ensured they kept at it.
Lake Wendouree 2.1, 5.4, 8.4, 11.6 (72)
Melton 2.2, 5.3, 7.4, 9.7 (61)
GOALS - Lake Wendouree: B. Taylor 3, J. Lohmann 2, B. Edwards 1, K. Raven 1, S. Carlin 1, C. Hepworth 1, J. Coxall 1, N. Pring 1. Melton: S. Campbell 2, B. Archard 2, J. Kight 1, B. Souter 1, A. Hibbert 1, L. Carter 1, R. Carter 1
BEST - Lake Wendouree: S. Hutchinson, B. Taylor, J. Lohmann, W. Henderson, B. Edwards, C. Hepworth. Melton: S. Campbell, M. Orr, A. Hibbert, L. Heaney, C. Griffiths, B. Crofts
REDAN V NORTH BALLARAT CITY
Redan had to work hard to overcome a spirited North Ballarat City at the City Oval on Saturday.
In the end though, the Lions managed to do it emphatically to win by 42 points.
In many ways the story of the day was the start and the end of the match - periods dominated by Redan to put some distance between itself and North.
It was the experienced Redan heads who stood up when it mattered, with Grant Bell and Liam Hoy among the main contributors - each hitting the scoreboard with four and two goals respectively.
There were still plenty of positives for North Ballarat to take out of the match.
When it was up and going City was more than able to match it with Redan - clawing its way back into contention to be within nine points at the last change.
However, it was to be Redan which was to flex its muscles in the last quarter, piling on seven goals to two.
Ryan Hobbs was effective in his role up forward for North Ballarat, but his opponent Patrick Britt also earned the plaudits of the Redan faithful.
Liam O'Brien and Dean Mathews were also shining lights for the home side.
North City coach Shane Skontra agreed when it was suggested that the scoreboard did not reflect the state of the game.
"It was a pretty competitive game from both teams.
"We weren't able to hold their run late. We were gassed after we had to peg them back."
Redan midfielder Lachie George said it was important for the Lions to respond after the loss to Melton.
He said the players had taken it on themselves to make sure there was an improvement this week.
Redan 5.5, 9.5, 11.9, 18.14 (122)
North Ballarat City 3.1, 6.5, 10.6, 12.8 (80)
GOALS - Redan: G. Bell 4, L. McLean 2, P. Fitzgibbon 2, L. Hoy 2, A. Cleary 2, L. George 1, C. Atchison 1, W. Madden 1, B. Thomson 1, A. Harvey 1, L. O'Brien 1. North Ballarat City: R. Hobbs 3, S. Bromley-Lynch 2, C. McCallum 2, I. Johnson 2, E. Lamb 1, B. Freeman 1, R. Polkinghorne 1
BEST - Redan: P. Britt, L. O'Brien, G. Bell, N. Barker, C. Atchison, D. Mathews. North Ballarat City: C. McCallum, J. McNamara, S. Bromley-Lynch, B. Leonard, C. Jenkins, R. Polkinghorne
BALLARAT V SEBASTOPOL
Sebastopol overcame a slow start and then a sluggish finish to defeat a frustrated Ballarat by 18 points at Alfredton on Saturday.
Swans showed glimpses of promise, but once again it was not enough and they remain without a win.
Sebastopol coach Leigh Hutchinson said while the Burra continued to build and get some momentum into its season, it needed to learn to play the game right out.
While he did not use the phrase, Hutchinson indicated Sebastopol needed to develop a killer instinct.
He said there was no doubt the Burra eased off after getting out to a six-goal lead in the third term after setting the ground work with four goals to one in the second quarter.
Ballarat finished the better with its own four-goal to one display in the last stanza, but never looked like running down the visitors.
Hutchinson said he was pleased the way Sebastopol was progressing in a team sense as players who had had an interrupted start to the season put in more games.
Swans coach Joe Carmody said the Burra's superior ball movement had made a difference.
He said although Ballarat's late charge had been too late to impact the result, it was satisfying that it had not allowed the game to be blow-out.
Carmody said he would continue rotating players in the search for the right combination and in an effort to keep youngsters energised and confident in their ability.
GWV Rebels-listed Izaac Ewing spent time in hospital after being concussed late in the game.
Sebastopol is home to a red-hot Bacchus Marsh next round, while Ballarat makes the trip to Sunbury's Clarke Oval.
Sebastopol 3.1, 7.3, 11.5, 12.10 (82)
Ballarat 4.0, 5.3, 6.3, 10.4 (64)
GOALS - Sebastopol: M. Powell 4, G. Lovett 2, J. Harvey 2, J. Keeble 1, H. Papst 1, B. Weightman 1, L. Kiel 1. Ballarat: A. Hooper 3, N. O'Farrell 2, T. Sutton 1, W. Garner 1, D. Kennedy 1, W. Liston 1, M. Powling 1
BEST - Sebastopol: L. Cassidy, T. Lockyer, L. Kiel, H. Papst, T. Thoolen, G. Lovett. Ballarat: M. Powling, D. Kennedy, T. Sutton, B. Van de Heuvel, L. Dawson, G. Baldwin
MELTON SOUTH V BACCHUS MARSH
Bacchus Marsh kept its winning streak going with a 112-point demolition of Melton South at Melton Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Coach Peter Davey has now led the Cobras to four straight wins to have them fourth with a really healthy percentage.
Aaron Willitts made the most of the chance given to him by the tribunal in the lead up - he challenged a striking charge rather than accepting a set suspension and had the penalty downgraded to a reprimand - by kicking 10 goals in a strong marking display.
Bacchus Marsh was simply to too big and experienced, as the likes of Jake Owen (4 goals), Daniel Burton and Harrison King dominated.
Melton South was not too far out of it at half-time, but the signs were that the Cobras had the potential to open up.
And they did with 17 goals in the second half.
Western Jets-listed Aaron Clark underlined his potential with five goals - a big effort from a youngster with the odds stacked against him.
He earned the plaudits of rival coach Davey on his game.
Bacchus Marsh now ventures to Sebastopol for an intriguing top six battle and Melton South faces top side Redan at the City Oval.
The Cobras will be without Kane White (hamstring).
Bacchus Marsh 4.0, 10.7, 18.12, 27.15 (177)
Melton South 2.0, 6.0, 7.3, 10.5 (65)
GOALS - Bacchus Marsh: A. Willitts 10, J. Owen 4, T. Shea 2, J. De Winter 2, B. Griffiths 2, K. Dickson, D. Burton, B. Easton, J. Parente, N. Stuhldreier, D. Phyland, H. King. Melton South: A. Clarke 5, N. Gemmell 2, J. Thornton Gielen, B. Sullivan, C. Chapman
BEST - Bacchus Marsh: N. Stuhldreier, A. Willitts, B. Easton, D. Burton, T. Shea, H. King. Melton South: A. Clarke, W. Thornton-Gielen, J. Thornton-Gielen, N. Gemmell, B. Wood, M. Fino