Feathers set to fly in battle of the birds

North Ballarat v Ballarat

AFTERSHOCKS are still being felt in the McDonalds Ballarat Football League after the Swans without Josh Gibson recorded a round one victory against Bacchus Marsh.

On the flip side North Ballarat also caused a bit of a stir taking down Redan away from home.

MARS Stadium will be lit up this Saturday evening on one of three night games for the round, and to pundit’s surprise one of these sides will leave undefeated after two rounds of football.

Prediction: North Ballarat by 24 points.

Sunbury v Melton

Clarke Oval hosts two of the contenders of the Eastern Bloc with Sunbury taking on the Melton Bloods.

The other Lions held off a gallant Darley outfit last week with Josh Guthrie, the brother of AFL duo Cameron and Zac, starring with three goals in a best on ground performance.

For Melton it was business as usual with a comfortable victory at the newly renovated McPherson Park against arch rivals Melton South.

On paper both sides are more than evenly matched and the best way to pick this one may be the old fashion flip of the coin.

Prediction: Sunbury in a tight one.

Melton South v Redan

Both sides would be more then disappointed with their round one performance with the Panthers tipped by many to be the big improvers in season 2021 and the Lions letting a big one slip at home to North Ballarat.

The Panthers will be hoping spearhead Dylan Conway can kick a bag and single handily drag them across the line, but by going on previous meetings including a 75-point drubbing the last time the sides met, it’s hard to see it really being much of a contest.

Prediction: Redan comfortably.

East Point v Lake Wendouree

For the first time this season the Lakers take the field, however they get no harder task than the reigning premiers.

The Kangas gave up a 29-point half time lead to Sebas and maybe their premiership favourite tag in the process.

Veteran and co-captain Brad Whittaker is expected to miss after sitting out the majority of the second half in their round one loss and East Point will be desperate to not go 0-2 to start the season.

Prediction: East Point to respond in a big way.

Bacchus Marsh v Darley

Match of the Round as traditional rivals, Bacchus Marsh and Darley meet for the first time in their illustrious history under lights at Maddingly Park this Saturday night.

Both sides would be disappointed to lose in their opening matches and with as they are vying to make the six this year this game could have a little bit of extra spice in it than normal acting as a clique ‘8-point game’.

It is going to be one of those matches where it’s going to have to be won at the source and may come down to the head-to-head match of  both playing coaches, Tom German for the Cobras and Dan Roy for the Devils, in the centre of the ground.

Prediction: Bacchus Marsh by 12 points.