Marsh march towards finals berth

Bacchus Marsh 15.8 (98) defeat Sunbury 6.11 (47)

A COMPREHENSIVE display is the only way to describe last Saturday’s only McDonalds Ballarat Football League game, as Bacchus Marsh recorded a fifty-five-point win over Eastern Bloc rival Sunbury at Maddingley Park.

The victory will put pressure on North Ballarat as the competition’s sixth placed side with the percentage boosting win meaning Bacchus Marsh now snapping at their heels.

From bell to bell the Cobras were dominant, with 2018 Henderson Medallist, Dan Burton, a monster among men in the ruck, and Jake Owen the quarterback across the defensive half in a best on ground performance.

Aaron Willitts booted four goals, as did Joel Freeman is a career best outing – not bad from someone who is still eligible for U17s selection.

The win was extra special for Bacchus Marsh as they were celebrating their 2016 Premiership reunion which was funny enough coached by their opposition coach in Sunbury’s Travis Hodgson.

Premiership captain Tyson Shea celebrated 250 games in Cobra colours having not missed a match of senior football since debuting, a testament to one of the league’s most loved and respected players.

Sunbury were without Daniel Toman who was a late withdrawal, and it showed, being totally out classed in the midfield with Jack Parente and Max Eastmure revealing why they are a couple of the rising stars in the Marsh’s midfield.

Harry Power and Cody Bramble were the Lions’ standouts but with too many players, particularly inside forward 50, having quite days it was never going to be enough.

With Sunbury hitting a new low in season 2022 and the club set for its lowest finish in the Ballarat Football League since joining in 1996, questions of a rebuild have to be asked.

Both sides have no games this weekend due to playing there round nine fixture a week early, a timely break for one of the competition’s cellar dwellers.

Ballarat Football League

ROUND 9

MCDONALDS SENIORS

Bacchus Marsh v Sunbury

Bacchus Marsh 15.8 (98)

Sunbury 6.11 (47)

Best – Bacchus Marsh – Jake Owen, Daniel Burton, Tom German, Josh Calvitto, Rex Hickman, Harrison King

Sunbury – Cody Bramble, Harrison Minton-Connell, Riley Miller, Harry Power, Nathan Wood, Tyson Lever

Goals – Bacchus Marsh – Joel Freeman 4, Aaron Willitts 4, Daniel Burton 2, Josh Calvitto 2, Tyler Huynh 1, Ethan Mckercher 1, Jack Parente 1

Sunbury – Cooper Anderson 1, Jayden Eales 1, Corey Mobilio 1, Jake Sutton 1, Jake Egan 1, Mitch Mclean 1

POS TEAM P PTS % W L D BYE

1 Melton 8 32 205.71 8 0 0 0

2 Sebastopol 7 20 124.54 5 2 0 1

3 Ballarat 8 20 102.55 5 3 0 0

4 East Point 7 16 113.57 4 3 0 1

5 Darley 7 16 109.23 4 3 0 1

6 North Ballarat 7 16 105.33 4 3 0 1

7 Bacchus Marsh 8 16 93.66 4 4 0 1

8 Redan 7 12 98.67 3 4 0 1

9 Melton South 8 8 65.57 2 6 0 0

10 Sunbury 8 4 78.47 1 7 0 1

11 Lake Wendouree 7 4 60.06 1 6 0 1