Swans and Roos seeking win

Ballarat v East Point

BOTH sides would be disappointed with losses last weekend in the McDonalds Ballarat Football League with the Swans horror record at Clarke Oval continuing and the Kangas unable to stop the table topping North Ballarat Roosters. Captains for both respective sides in Sam James and Matt Johnston were adjudged best for the sides in the losses with missed opportunities in front of the big sticks the costly factors in their losses. Joel Ottavi returned from VFL-duties at Williamstown last week to bag four majors for the reigning premiers and along with key forwards Brad Whittaker and Bryson McDougall expect East Point to be too tall to handle on the weekend.

Prediction: East Point by 24 points.

Redan v Lake Wendouree

Match of the Round as the cross-town rivals go to battle in a contest that will have massive ramifications on who finishes inside the top six this season. Lake Wendouree dominated the midfield battle in their 67-point victory over Melton South with Jacob Lohmann and Lachie Pfeifer waxing their own footy at times. The Lions welcomed back Chris Giampoalo into the fold for his first game since round one but were no match on the road for Melton. In the 10-goal loss superstar Lachie George was the Lions best by far with four goals, and now a mouth-watering head-to-head battle with ex-VFL teammate Nick Rippon awaits in an old school master verses apprentice dual.

Prediction: Redan in a flip of the coin.

Sunbury v Sebastopol

Kudos to the Sunbury Football Netball Club for allowing the reversal of this round seven fixture to make this clash this weekend to be played at Clarke Oval between the Lions and the Burra. It sets up an interesting clash with Sunbury who were able to get back on the winner’s list with their first victory at home for the season over Ballarat last weekend, while Sebas held off a gallant Darley Devils. The injury list at the Burra continues to grow with James Richards and captain Tony Lockyer both injuring their shoulders in the victory while Bailey Medwell has pulled up lame on a groin injury. With the likes of Matt Austin, James Keeble and Daniel Widgery already sidelined, the Burra’s depth will be seriously tested with the hardest road trip in local footy.

Prediction: Sebastopol by under a goal.

Darley v Melton South

Darley manager Dan Roy will be eyeing his first victory as senior coach when they host Melton South this weekend at Darley Park. It was polar opposite performances from these sides in round six with the Devils taking it up to one of the premiership contenders in Sebastopol whereas the Panthers were obliterated by Lake Wendouree. Leigh Spiteri returned for the Darley with a couple of goals with ex-AFL Football Mitch Banner bagging four majors in his best return since coming back to the club. The Panthers will be hopefully to recall Shaun Wyatt and Ben Ollson who both failed to make the trip down to Ballarat due to injury respectively and if they do, expect their ability to win the ball on the inside enough for their side to walk away with the four points.

Prediction: Melton South in a tight one.

North Ballarat v Bacchus Marsh

Mars Stadium host the top of the ladder Roosters and the third place Cobras in what is anticipated to be a classic shootout between some key forwards. The Roosters cemented themselves as premiership contenders with Josh Chatfield and Sam Glover combining for six gaols between them. Both those gentleman have also nominated for this year AFL Mid-Season draft on June 2nd with their great form for North not going on recognised. The Marsh come off the bye however in what has been traditionally as an advantage comes with no statistical data with no side in season 2021 in the Ballarat Football Netball League able to win a game off the back of the bye.

Prediction: North Ballarat by 12 points.