Round 3 defined by big statement wins

SOME home truths at half-time propelled Ballarat to a 57-point comeback victory over a fired-up Lake Wendouree on Anzac Day.

The Lakers brought plenty of spirit and energy to the contest at Alfredton Recreation Reserve to lead by 24 points at quarter time, after restricting the Swans, who were looking to rebound from a round two loss to Sebastopol, to a solitary behind.

While the Swans recovered to boot four second quarter goals, they still trailed by seven points at the main break.

After some honest discussions at half-time, the Swans kicked into gear with a five-goal to nil third quarter, setting up a 22-point lead going into the final term.

From there they totally took over, with key forward Biggie Nyuon slamming on five final quarter goals in a team total of six to push the Swans to a hard-fought 15.11 (101) to 5.14 (44) win that had earlier looked unlikely.

Beaten by 142 points by Melton a week earlier and by Redan by 92 points in round one, Swans coach Ash Baker gave full credit to Lake Wendouree for a tough performance.

“They brought plenty of intent and pressure early to the contest,” he said.

“It took us a while to break them.

“They were really good; fired up after not starting rounds one and two they would have wanted, but they brought plenty of energy to the contest in round three.”

Baker admitted to a few ‘home truths’ being told at half-time in a bid to lift his charges from their malaise.

“A few people needed to lift and fortunately we did,” he said.

“The second half was good – we played more the way we want to play, or our brand, and we were able to make the ground nice and wide and get some movement happening.”

Former AFL players Brad Crouch and Nyuon (seven goals) proved to be the difference makers for the Swans, who also got significant contributions from Fraser Perkins, Samuel Battistella in defence and another of their ex-AFL contingent Alex Keath.

Nyuon, in his second season at Alfredton after five in the AFL system with Richmond and North Melbourne, had just one goal on the board at half-time and two by three quarter time, before finishing with a flurry.

Crouch was strong around the contest all day.

 

For the Lakers, Will Fordham, Tom Zampatti, Corey Rich and Logan Clark battled hard.

Given their early-game struggles, Baker was happy to emerge with an almost eight goal victory ahead of a round four clash against Redan.

“There’s certainly some learnings we’ll take out the first half – things we need to do better,” he said.

“But importantly we made some corrections in the second half.

“I’m sure Redan (this) week will be pretty determined to bounce back, but we’ll deal with that and look to play our brand and not wait until halfway through a game.”

Elsewhere, an electric eight-goal haul from Billy Myers and impressive performances from Brett Bewley, Duncan Cadman, Andrew Azzopardi (three goals), Michael Edwards and Zane Le Huray underpinned Darley’s 102-point win over crosstown rival Bacchus Marsh.

After leading by 17 points at half-time, the unbeaten Devils put their foot down in a 16-goal to two second half to run out convincing winners 25.9 (159) to 9.3 (57) at Darley Park.

Angus Morgan, Ashton Craig, Jude Milburn and Jake Owen (three goals) toiled hard for the Cobras, who slipped to 2-2 after two stirring wins to start the season.

Melton made a massive statement in an 83-point win over Sunbury at Clarke Oval.

The Bloods, brilliantly led by Caleb Burquest, Jordyn Cotter, Brody Sullivan, Adrian Monitto and Braedan Kight, capitalised on a 29-point half-time lead to outscore the Lions 11 goals to three after the main break.

The 2-1 Bloods hold down third spot on the ladder with a massive 267.94 percentage.

On Sunday, North Ballarat flexed its muscles in a 98-point win over East Point.

The 2-1 Roosters led by 16 points at quarter time, but kicked away to set up a 52-point margin at half-time.

They conceded just two goals for the game – one in each half.

The potent forward combination of Jye Lockett and Denver Grainger-Barras hit top flight, each kicking five goals.

Taj Bowman, Josh Morris and Dominic Penny all backed up big games the previous week in a win over Bacchus Marsh with massive contributions.

The win will give the Roosters plenty of confidence heading into their clash against a rebounding Sunbury this Saturday at Mars Stadium.

East Point (0-4) has a bye, having played its round four match against Bacchus Marsh on Good Friday.