WEEKEND WRAP - complete review of BFL round 10 | video, details | The Courier

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GOT YOUR BACK: Bacchus Marsh defender Liam Mullen blocks the path of Jacob Brown (East Point), who has the backing of Mickitja Rotumah-Onus. Picture: Lachlan Bence

DARLEY V REDAN

A Nick Graham-inspired Darley has forced Redan to give up its grip on top position in the Ballarat Football League.

With Graham putting on a dominant display, Darley put the Lions in their place by 43 points at Darley Park.

In a costly loss, Redan has dropped to third behind East Point and Darley - all on 32 points. The trio is two wins clear of the rest.

After conceding the first two goals, Darley took control and only gave up another two majors to Redan for the rest of the day in what were typically atrocious weather conditions for the round.

Darley showed greater intent, being first to the contest as it set up what would be a 14^th straight win on its home ground.

Devils coach Heath Scotland praised efforts of his entire playing group.

"Really pleased with our effort. It's probably our first four-quarter performance this year. Redan is having a huge year and they've been in really good form so for our boys to come with a mindset and keep them to 28 points was great.

"It shows when the guys come to play and have the correct mindset, the skies the limit with our group," he said.

Redan coach Jarrett Giampaolo was at a loss to describe just what went wrong.

"They were much more intense at the footy. They outworked us and we were just outclassed. We were second to the footy all day and when you come up against a side that will be in the mix at the end of the year and you are second to the footy, they'll slaughter you.

"We've got a lot of work to do," he said.

Nick and Brian Graham shone the brightest for Darley in the midfield, ensuring Redan succumbed to the manic pressure and work ethic of Darley.

Jake Edwards was his dangerous self up forward, finishing with four goals for the Devils.

Redan midfielders Liam Hoy and Lachie George tried valiantly to restore some pride for the Lions outfit late, but in a low scoring contest they were never going to get back into the game.

Darley 2.2, 6.8, 8.9, 10.11 (71)

Redan 2.1, 2.1, 3.4, 4.4 (28)

GOALS - Darley: J. Edwards 4, H. Inglis 2, N. Graham, L. Spiteri, B. Graham, M. Hanson. Redan: : L. George, L. Hoy, D. Chester, A. Cleary

BEST - Darley: N. Graham, J. Edwards, A. Azzopardi, T. Angwin, D. Leonard, S. Page. Redan: Z. Jenkins, L. Hoy, C. Atchison, L. George, P. Britt, J. Short

EAST POINT v BACCHUS MARSH

A defensively disciplined East Point froze out Bacchus Marsh by 26 points at the Eastern Oval on Saturday.

The Cobras were brave, throwing everything at the Roos, but could not find an avenue to goal.

The Marsh's only goal came in the last quarter.

East Point is well known for its potency - it averaged 131 points in its opening five games this season - but on this occasion its ability to smother the Cobras was the key in getting on top.

Roos coach Jake Bridges said there was certainly a focus on this side of their game in the trying conditions.

Smothers and chase downs were features of East Point's game as the Cobras did everything except convert their efforts into goals.

A goal to the Roos on 29 minutes in the first term was a telling moment in the match.

Then although it was not known at the time, Bryson McDougall provided a killer blow when add their fourth off the ground soccer-style just moments before half-time.

Bacchus Marsh certainly did not feel out of the game despite having to contend with what coach Peter Davey described as the worst conditions he had seen for football.

It lifted and threw everything into the game in the third term, but with East Point at its defensive best there was no coming back.

Although on the losing end, Bacchus Marsh ruckman Daniel Burton was a stand-out best on ground.

His ruck work was decisive, whether clearing stoppages by sending the ball into open space or bringing it straight to ground.

With back-to-back losses Bacchus Marsh has again dropped out of the top six, but gets a chance to turn this around against Lake Wendouree at home next round.

East Point faces a top-of-the-table battle with Darley at the Eastern Oval.

East Point 2.2, 4.2, 4.7, 5.8 (38)

Bacchus Marsh 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 1.6 (12)

GOALS - East Point: B. McDougall, B. Whittaker, C. Lovig, C. Bilney, J. Brown. Bacchus Marsh: T. Shea

BEST - East Point: J. Lench, D. Tung, C. Bilney, J. Brown, J. Gallagher, B. McDougall. Bacchus Marsh: D. Burton, T. Wardell, N. Stuhldreier, Q. Butt, T. Hughes, L. Mullen

BALLARAT v MELTON

Ballarat is finally a winner.

The Swans reaped the rewards of a consistent four-quarter effort in a giant-killing 15-point victory over Melton at Alfredton.

With it Ballarat found the extra resilience it needed to earn a full quota of premiership points.

Ballarat coach Joe Carmody said the Swans had also importantly kept their nerve with the ball - finding targets and not wasting possessions.

He said it had also been defensively strong in adjusting to the wet conditions, stopping Melton on the occasions it did threaten to get some momentum going.

The Swans kept the Bloods to just one goal after quarter time - that coming in the last term to give the visitors an outside chance of stealing the game.

Goals were not easy for Ballarat either, but two in the third term was a match-winning turn of events.

For Melton, it was another horror trip to Ballarat with it having previously lost to a battling Lake Wendouree - defeats which are already hurting the Bloods' aspirations of a top-two finish.

They have slipped to fifth, two games adrift of East Point, Darley and Redan, and a lot of work needed to peg back the gap.

Coach Aaron Tymms is at a loss as to what went wrong.

Prominent forward Braedan Kight suffered a suspected broken jaw and Luke Heaney what looks to be a broken scaphoid.

Although down on rotations, Tymms was not using this as an excuse.

Tymms said Ballarat was much more decisive with clearances thanks - going much longer - but there was nothing that jumped out to point to letting the game slip.

Melton will be looking to put things right against arch-rival Melton South at MacPherson Park next up, while Ballarat faces North Ballarat City at Mars Stadium.

Carmody said it was enough to be satisfied with the one win.

He said now it was all about going on with the job for the rest of the season.

Ballarat 1.0, 2.6, 4.7, 5.9 (39)

Melton 2.4, 2.4, 2.6, 3.6 (24)

GOALS - Ballarat: N. O'Farrell, D. Kennedy, L. Dawson, W. Garner, A. Hooper. Melton: B. Kight, L. Carter, B. Souter

BEST - Ballarat: N. Weightman, L. Wynd, W. Garner, L. Dawson, W. Liston, D. Kennedy. Melton: M. Brockwell, B. McIntyre, M. Denham, C. Griffiths, S. Campbell, B. McMahon

Matt Denham (Melton) marks clear of Ballarat's Daniel Kennedy. Picture: Lachlan Bence

SUNBURY v SEBASTOPOL

Sunbury snuck home by the barest of margins against Sebastopol at Clarke Oval on Saturday.

Goalless until the last quarter, Sebastopol kicked three majors to level the scores midway through the term.

However, that was where the Burra's run finished.

Sunbury added one more behind to go to 2.12 and that was enough to secure a valuable four premiership points and jump into the top six.

Lions coach Travis Hodgson said he could not remember winning a game with just two goals.

While relieved with the outcome, Hodgson was slightly frustrated that Sunbury had not put Sebastopol out of the game in a wasteful third quarter for the Lions which produced 1.6.

Sebastopol coach Leigh Hutchinson described the game as a lost opportunity as the Burra strives to play finals.

He said they had all the momentum when they squared things up and plenty of time, but was unable to go on with the job going to what was the scoring end.

"We just couldn't find a way after a real tough slog."

Hutchinson said despite being goalless for three quarters, Sebastopol never felt out of the game.

"We couldn't take the opportunities."

Sebastopol's cause was not helped by early injuries.

Sam Jenkins (calf) and Geoff Lovett (shoulder) were each out the game in the opening minutes.

Then Jake Wilkinson (ankle) added to the woes before half-time.

Sunbury loss Jack Sheahan to concussion.

The Lions have a bye for a valuable four points in round 11, while Sebastopol faces a stung Redan at City Oval.

Sunbury 0.3, 1.4, 2.10, 2.12 (24)

Sebastopol 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 3.5 (23)

GOALS - Sunbury: A. Duhau, L. Bramble. Sebastopol: D. Widgery, J. Keeble, T. Lockyer

BEST - Sunbury: M. Conn, J. Landt, L. Bramble, G. Hay, A. Magin, G. Valles. Sebastopol: T. Lockyer, B. Trew, L. Kiel, C. Dummett, R. Noether, S. Butler

NORTH BALLARAT CITY V MELTON SOUTH

North Ballarat City handed Melton South a crushing 85-point defeat at Mars Stadium on Saturday.

While most sides struggled offensively, North turned it on in the last quarter with seven goals.

Panthers coach Heath Pritchard said allowing City to cut loose in the final term had been the most disappointing aspect of the day.

"We left them get away. It's something to work on."

Prtichard said Melton South was unable to match the clean handling of the physically stronger North Ballarat in the conditions.

Melton South lost Lachie Watkins from its selected side to Coburg in the VFL.

North Ballarat City has another winnable home game against Ballarat next, while Melton South meets Melton in a derby.

North Ballarat City 1.2, 4.9, 7.13, 14.20 (104)

Melton South 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 3.1 (19)

GOALS - North Ballarat City: F. Loader 4, C. McCallum 3, B. Simpson 2, I. Johnson 2, E. Lamb, M. Gilbert, H. Loader. Melton South: A. Clarke, W. Thornton-Gielen, R. Holzer

BEST - North Ballarat City: S. McCartin, C. McCallum, S. Scally, S. Bromley-Lynch, E. Lamb, F. Toose. Melton South: P. Bower, M. Sullivan, B. Wood, D. Leggett, B. Sortino, B. Cottam