We've seen 1043 goals so far this Ballarat Football Netball League season.
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Some were good, some maybe not and no doubt most were over-exaggerated as the night wore on.
There have been 222 different goalkickers but one big question lingers - who will take home this season's Tony Lockett Medal?
IN OTHER NEWS:
Melton South spearhead Dylan Conway has taken a strong lead in the goalkicking ranks, demanding attention from defenders and spectators alike in his first full Ballarat Football Netball League season.
Though, footy can be fickle. Look no further than Josh Chatfield.
North Ballarat's young gun once topped the league's goal-kicking ranks before injury ended his season prematurely.
With finals inching ever closer, it shapes to be a tense fight to be crowned this season's leading goalkicker.
Dylan's dominance
Dylan Conway arrived in the BFNL to much fanfare.
The key forward had long been aligned to Melton South but was rarely seen at the community level due to his dominance in the VFL.
A decorated state league career ushered two premierships - one with Williamston in 2015, and another with Port Melbourne in 2017.
So, there was expected excitement when a young family and work commitments saw him commit to the Panthers full-time for 2021.
Within the first four rounds Conway had bagged two three-goal hauls, tucked nicely aside a four-goal game and a five-goal spectacle.
But, a couple of quiet rounds would follow.
CHECK OUT THE RACE TO BE THE LEADING GOALKICKER BELOW
Melton South fans didn't have to wait long for the shackles to break.
A nine-goal demolition job in round seven was the true sign of a dominant forward force.
Averaging 3.8 goals a game and with 35 majors to his name already, will anyone catch up to Dylan Conway?
The chasing pack
Andrew Hooper has only managed five games this season but still possesses the second best goals-per-game average in the competition.
A seven-goal showing against Melton South is a large reason, but Hooper backed it up with five goals against a benchmark side in Melton and an influential six-goal haul against Sebastopol.
The former Western Bulldog is still 15 goals off leader Dylan Conway, but if anyone is going to pull of the remarkable you wouldn't put it past him.
AVERAGE GOALS PER GAME LEADERS
A single game has also thrown a new hat into the ring.
Joel Ottavi's 17-goal plunder against Melton South propelled him from the middle of the pack to third on the goalkicking ranks.
The East Point spearhead has played just three games this season, averaging eight goals an outing.
He's in the conversation, but the deciding factor may just be how much of Ottavi see for the rest of the season.
The Williamstown-linked forward has been in-and-out of the VFL side, but has done more than enough to push his case for continued selection.
But, what's the cost?
Having a key forward who kicks bags for fun is a dream for any footy club, no doubt.
But, it can be a two-edged sword.
A heavy reliance on one avenue in attack has cost countless sides before, and leaves coaches with a tactical headache.
Dylan Conway isn't quite Melton South's only avenue to goal - kicking 35.7 per cent of the club's majors to gate.
Though, whispers around the grounds are that the Panthers, at times, are too one-dimesional.
Granted, an injury to Shuan Wyatt, who sits inside the top 20 leading goalkickers, wasn't ideal, but it highlights a potential area of concern.
DYLAN CONWAY'S CONTRIBUTION TO MELTON SOUTH
Melton South isn't alone in possessing a dominant forward. In fact, Bacchus Marsh has two.
Jake Owen and Aaron Willitts have proven to be one of the league's most dominant attacking partnerships and both are among the top 10 leading goalkickers despite not playing every game.
Together, the pair has kicked 46.4 per cent of the Cobras' goals and are thriving from a revitalised midfield.
The big question remains - how will the two work together, and will structure cost personal accolades?
THE DOUBLE-HEADED COBRA
Most of footy's well-run cliches speak of placing the team before the individual.
If the side is winning games, does it matter who's kicking goals. No, but it could mean the Tony Lockett race already been run
Owen - averaging 3 goals a game - looks to be Dylan Conway's biggest challenger but still sits nine goals off the pace.
Willitts is a daunting 20 goals back and has already missed a month with a calf injury.
If, or when, the two are back on the field together, it's likely one is not going to get the hauls needed to soar up the rankings.
Sharing the load
Melton has been one of the season's best performers, drawing on its hard-running, full-throttle attack to move to second on the ladder.
The Bloods' ascension has not been led by one dominant force, but rather a unit willing to put the team first.
Melton has more representatives in the top 20 goalkickers than any other club.
Captain Braedan Kight (21) sits fourth, ahead of brothers Liam and Ryan Carter (16) and recruit Kevin Klix (14).
MELTON'S FEARSOME FOUR
Together, the four have kicked nearly 69 per cent of the Bloods' goals.
In total, coach Aaron Tymms has had 20 different goalkickers at his disposal, sending an ominous threat for the games to come.
One other club has had four goalkickers reach double digits at this stage of the season.
North Ballarat had entrusted Josh Chatfield (21) to lead its attack, but the forward's injury demanded others step up.
Jamie Quick (15) and Jack Riding (12) obligied and earn their place among the top 20, with Daniel Jones (10) not too far behind.
Only one club claim to have a more well-rounded forward group than Melton and North Ballarat.
East Point, despite having just two players in the top 20, are truly troubling the scorers.
WELL-ROUNDED ROOS
Five different Roos have cracked double figures this season. Joel Ottavi's feats are well-known, but co-captain Brad Whittaker (14) still looms as a smokey for top spot.
Bryson McDougall and Joseph Dodd (both 11) are quietly chipping away, while James Lukich (10) remains a big contributor.
Where to from here?
Most players only have four games left to make their charge for the Tony Lockett Medal, and plenty of things could make for an interesting race.
Wet weather could play a role, as well as the pressure of a finals hunt and any unlucky injury setbacks.
Dylan Conway looks the early favourite, but if someone can catch him from here, well, then we might all be winners.
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