DUNNSTOWN V SPRINGBANK
At Dunnstown, Saturday, 2.30pm
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Last met: round 7, 2023 - Tigers 15.9 (99) d Towners 8.5 (53)
Dunnstown: 14th (0 wins, 1 loss)
Springbank: 12th (0 wins, 1 loss)
SELECTION: Towners
Each is coming off opening round losses, knowing the last thing they need is a 0-2 record.
It's a tough start for the Towners against the two grand finalists, but they were not that far away against Gordon.
Dunnstown need to tighten up its movement forward, where there is the firepower in Brad Whittaker and Tom Wardell. They need to be given space and better service.
With a few changes, it was no surprise to see the Tigers a little off the pace they have set for the past two years - although poor finishing in front of goal did not help its cause.
It will have still been wake-up call and this game will help determine where they stand.
CHANGES INCLUDE
DUNNSTOWN
- IN: Lewis Hodgins (new - East Point), Nick Byrne (new - Lara)
- OUT: Matt Bulluss (unavailable)
SPRINGBANK
- IN: Fletcher Toose, Angus Murnane (new - Banyule)
- OUT: Justin Simpson - knee (posterior cruciate ligament)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DUNNSTOWN
- Flynn Stevenson: a midfield powerhouse, always dangerous.
- Will Henderson: attacking half back or through the midfield
- Brad Whittaker: look out if can get going in front of goal.
SPRINGBANK
- Todd Finco: he'll be keen to get going up forward.
- Brant Haintz: match-winner in a dangerous the midfield, where it needs to start.
- James Thompson: important to the Tigers' hopes.
ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP v CARNGHAM-LINTON
At Rokewood, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last met: round 2, 2023 - Saints 9.10 (64) d Grasshoppers 7.17 (59)
Rokewood-Corindhap: 5th (1 win, 0 losses)
Carngham-Linton: 11th (0 wins, 1 loss)
SELECTION: Grasshoppers
Rokewood-Corindhap is keen to make it two wins on end with a victory over a second 2023 finalist, while Carngham-Linton needs to rebound from a first-up loss.
The Grasshoppers ended up a long way off the pace last year, one reason being a near miss at the hands of Carngham-Linton in the corresponding round.
A win here for Shaune Moloney's charges would give them wins over two team they lost to last season.
The Saints are trying to avoid the opposite scenario - teams which they narrowly beat in 2023.
Newcomers James Quayle and Dan Hobbs (both Ballarat Swans) are sidelined for the Saints with hamstring strains.
Hobbs last played with the Swans in 2018 before a pre-COVID season in Queensland, while Quayle has last year away from the game.
CHANGES INCLUDE
ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP
- IN: Kyle Hayes, Daniel Cassidy, Rupert Armstrong
- OUT: Connor Parkin (unavailable), Zac Priddle (hamstring)
CARNGHAM-LINTON
- IN: Damian Wynd (new - Buninyong), Fraser Davies
- OUT: Mick Richardson (ankle), Brad McDonald (unavailable), Rory Nunn (managed)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP
- Caius Barrenger: key forward coming off seven goals.
- Matthieu Brehaut: hard-running high forward dangerous in the mdfield and near goal.
- Riley Fisher: disciplined deep defender.
CARNGHAM-LINTON
- Nick O'Brien: just the player who can ensure the Saints are not slowly out of the gates again.
- Kynan Raven: attacking defender
- Joshua Pound: experienced newcomer, dangerous near goal.
LEARMONTH V CRESWICK
At Learmonth, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last met: round 12, 2023 - Lakies 11.7 (73) d Wickers 5.7 (37)
Learmonth: 6th (1 win, 0 losses)
Creswick: 10th (0 wins, 1 loss)
SELECTION: Lakies
Learmonth has had just the start it wanted.
Lakies were on the end of some close losses last season, but left nothing to doubt against Carngham-Linton by charging away early.
Having eight goalklickers was a real bonus for Lakies. Just what they needed.
Learmonth welcome a couple of young first-gamers this round, while its heartbreak for Mitch Welsh.
He returned this year, but injured an ACL in the opening round and will miss the rest of the season.
Creswick coach Paul Borchers came out of their narrow loss to Ballan frustrated.
He'll want to see better execution and better use of the football - something they will need against stronger opposition.
CHANGES INCLUDE
LEARMONTH
- IN: James Crilly, Ethan Prenc, Pat Collins (new - North Ballarat under-19s), Ryan McMahon (new -Sebastopol under-19s)
- OUT: James Laidlaw (calf), Todd Curran (suspended), Mitch Welsh (knee), Joel Neal (hamstring)
CRESWICK
- IN: Ben Dolan (new - Mooroolbark)
- Out: Liam Blake (shoulder)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LEARMONTH
- Brenton Powell: an evergreen who remains so important.
- Cam Kimber and Will Green: three goals apiece against the Saints was the extra edge needed.
CRESWICK
- Lleyton Scheele: he's a club best and fairest, now is his time.
- Geoff Lovett: his leadership and ability to steady the ship is needed.
- Dane-Francis Whitfield: a youngster ready to stake the next step.
BALLAN V BUNGAREE
At Ballan, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last met: round 7, 2023 - Demons 18.18 (126) d Blues 2.6 (18)
Ballan: 7th (1 win, 0 losses)
Bungaree: 1st (1 win, 0 losses)
SELECTION: Demons
A big day for Ballan.
The Blues play their first home game at Ballan Recreation Reserve in more than two seasons after long delays in the construction of new clubrooms and community hub.
As frustrating as it was, it was worth the wait seeing what the club now has access to.
Even though it will be up and about after a first round success under new coach Harley Bongart, Ballan could not have a tougher assignment though.
Bungaree is in for a massive season and even with a bolstered line-up Ballan is going to struggle to finish anywhere near the Demons.
Marquee recruit James Lukich is still at least a week away while he recovers from a hamstring strain.
Experienced Dylan Clarke, who has experience with Melton South and Melton Centrals. plays his first game for Ballan.
CHANGES INCLUDE
BALLAN
- IN: Kobe Heafield, Jack Jarvis, Hayden Thompson, Dylan Clarke (new - Melton Centrals),
BUNGAREE
- IN: Xavier Carey
PLAYER TO WATCH
BALLAN
- Blake Colley: newcomer with the role of captain.
- Ashley Mullane: after time in WA, the much travelled utility is home to stay this season.
BUNGAREE
- Dalton Murphy: had a big 2023 season and will again be a linchpin to success.
- Dallas Martin: he quickly made his mark against the CHFL's number one ruckman Sean Tighe (Hepburn).
HEPBURN V DAYLESFORD
At Hepburn, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last met: round 2, 2023 - Burras 20.11 (103) d Bulldogs 4.4 (28)
Hepburn: 16th (0 wins, 1 loss)
Daylesford: 2nd (1 win, 0 losses)
SELECTION: Burras
What a game in prospect.
These arch-rivals have had some memorable battles over the year, but not for sometime.
Can Daylesford live up to the raps on it after landing a big haul of quality recruits and for the first time since pre-COVID-19 be a winning chance?
The Bulldogs don't have to win to show improvement, but they need to be right in it.
As they say, the proof will be in the pudding.
Hepburn will be fired up.
The Burras will have had a bomb put under them after a disappointing loss to Bungaree
There's no panic, but Hepburn must respond and they should.
CHANGES INCLUDE
HEPBURN
- IN: Joe Malone
DAYLESFORD
- No change
PLAYER TO WATCH
HEPBURN
- Andrew McKay and Izaac Grant: the old and the new. At constrating stages in their careers, but each offer so much.
- Sean Tighe: match-winner with fitness a big question.
DAYLESFORD
- Jordan Shroder: Quality player. Has made a strong start.
- Ben Jones: premier ruckman. Big clash with Sean Tighe.
BEAUFORT V BUNINYONG
At Beaufort, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last met: round 12, 2023 - Bombers 16.13 (109) d Crows 2.1 (13)
Beaufort: 15th (0 win, 1 loss)
Buninyong: 8th (o wins, 1 draw, 0 losses)
SELECTION: Bombers
A tough start for each, with players suffering head injuries and facing lengthy time on sidelines.
It was the last thing a battling Beaufort needed as it suffered a heavy loss to Daylesford.
This will be no easier for the Crows.
Buninyong had a false start with its match abandoned in the first half.
The Bombers had a steady start in that game and should be a winning start.
CHANGES INCLUDE
BEAUFORT
- IN: Bradie Thomas, Cormac Mahoney, Tom Head (new - Terrigal Avoca)
- OUT: Noah Leckie (broken jaw, fracture eye socket), Tom Murphy (split head, concussion)
BUNINYONG
- IN: Archie Eichler (new - East Point under-17), Anthony Ebery (returning)
- OUT: Tyler Mookhoek (concussion)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BEAUFORT
BUNINYONG
NEWLYN V WAUBRA
At Newlyn, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last met: round 2, 2023 - Cats 13.12 (90) d Roos 6.9 (45)
Newlyn: 9th (0 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss)
Waubra: 13th (0 wins, 1 loss)
SELECTION: Cats
Newlyn re-starts its season after being part of a game called off mid-stream in the opening round.
The early signs were good for new coach Jarrett Giampaolo, but the Cats are keen to get into full swing.
Expectations will be high and they should win comfortably.
Waubra made a promising start with a seven-goal opening quarter against Clunes.
Even though it could not hold on it can take a lot out of that.
Unfortunately, the Roos have had to make bulk changes and this is the last thing they need.
CHANGES INCLUDE
NEWLYN
- IN: Alex Rofe
- OUT: Will Lund (suspended)
WAUBRA
- IN: Jack Conroy, James Crebbin, Michael Mcquillan, Rory Wakefield, Lachlan McLeod, Ashley Baldwinson, Andrew Fera (new) Alex Clark
- OUT: Alex McPherson (ribs), Riley Petrascu (hamstring), Lachie Jolly (shoulder), Ollie Randal (sore), Brayden Morshead (knee)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
NEWLYN
- Tom Carey: ruckman back after missing second half of 223 with back injury, slotting into vacancy left by retired Jarrod Fryar.
- Kieran Collins: one of several recruits wanting to make an early impact.
WAUBRA
- Tom Ford: youngster with a lot to carry on his shoulders as an onballer.
- Nic Moran: another campaign for the tireless veteran big man.
CLUNES V SKIPTON
At Clunes, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last met: round 12, 2023 - Emus 10.5 (65) d Magpies 8.12 (60)
Clunes: 4th (1 win, 0 losses)
Skipton: 17th (0 wins, 0 losses, 1 bye)
SELECTION: Emus
Clunes are going for back-to-back wins for a perfect start to the season, while Skipton is launching its season after an opening round bye.
The Emus are striving to take the next step and be a top four team and have put a big focus on boosting goalkicking power. to complement the likes of Rhys Monument and Andrew Pitson, who is going around again after playing only a sprinkling of games last year.
Clunes escaped against Waubra.
It will need to be better here and if the Magpies are going to move up the ladder this is a game it needs to salute in.
CHANGES INCLUDE
CLUNES
- IN: Tyrese Nunn
- OUT: Khyal Thompson (unavailable)
SKIPTON
- NEW: Josh Webster (South Mallee Giants), Matt Cullinan (North Ringwood), Mitch Walsh (East Point), Declan Phillips (Redan), Aden Nestor (East Point), Mitch McCrow (East Point), Tom Cullinan (Lexton)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CLUNES
- Matthew Kasparian: important on-baller who needs to be a leader.
- Joel Radlof: an early recruit who will be eager to make his mark.
SKIPTON
- All their recruits
- Mitch Gilbert: crucial to the midfield make-up.
