Swans wary of Sunbury’s sting

Ballarat v Sunbury

IN the upset of the McDonalds Ballarat Football League season so far, the Sunbury Lions added some respectability into their 2022 by defeating top side Melton last weekend in convincing fashion.

In only their fourth win of the year, it becomes a question of ‘what if’ when talking about Travis Hodgson men, as five of their losses this season have come after leading at the three-quarter time break.

The last time that happened was against the side they travel to take on this weekend in the Ballarat Swans.

The Swannies are the opposite and have made it a habit of winning the close ones in 2022.

Coming off a bye in round 16 means their last time on the park was that trilling after the siren victory with captain Sam James sealing the deal with the final kick of the game.

With Ballarat not in a position to let up and let one slip they won’t be taking the ninth placed Lions lightly as this danger game presents as a close watch for the entire competition.

Prediction: Ballarat by under a goal.

 

Bacchus Marsh v Redan

It is a mini elimination final at Maddingley Park when the Cobras host the Redan Lions in a game that will end any glimmer of hope for a finals berth for the losing side.

The Marsh missed a golden opportunity to mark their road to September a heck of a lot easier falling short against archrivals Darley by 10 points last weekend.

To make matters worse, captain Jake Owen left the field before half time with a concussion and will likely miss this week’s crunch game as a result.

Redan will be leaning on as experience with the likes of Lachie George, Jacob Short and Grant Bell needing to have a big say in this one if the Lions can be successful and keep their mathematical finals hopes alive.

Prediction: Redan in an upset.

East Point v Melton

Match of the round as it’s first verses second in a crunch game to decide who finishes where come season’s end.

With East Point having the bye in the final round it is a must win for outgoing coach Jake Bridges with a loss could result in the Kangas slipping to as low as fourth or fifth by the time home and away games are done.

They host the Melton Bloods who are coming off the back of only their second loss this year and will be wanting to send one last warning shot before they head into September and to the qualifying final where they will meet either East Point, Ballarat, or Sebastopol.

When it comes to the Roos and the Bloods their midfields are super, and forward lines dangerous.

The one difference in this game is defence, with Melton’s having a clear edge and East Point’s lack of key defenders mean the Roos are going to have their hands full with the Carter Brothers, Mark Orr and Braeden Kight.

Prediction: Melton in a tight one.

 

North Ballarat v Melton South

Simple North Ballarat fans, win at home this week, keep a top six spot, a shock loss and you can kiss finals in 2022 goodbye.

A matchup against the Panthers couldn’t come at a better time for Brendan McCartney’s men, with a two-year extension to the senior coach’s tenure announced last week seeing him at the helm of the Roosters until the end of 2024.

The key for North is to find a more consistent avenue to goal outside of Jack Riding with the lively forward having a career best year.

But if they want to compete with the big dogs of the competition, he will need some support.

Prediction: North Ballarat by 30 points.

 

Sebastopol v Lake Wendouree

Pride in the jumper will be on the line for the Lakers here following their spirited 21-point loss last week at the hands of East Point.

Jack Fitzpatrick will urge his chargers to continue to put in the same four quarter effort away from home in this coming match against the much more fancied Sebastopol.

It will be interesting to see what the Burra do here. Defender Hugo Papst was the swing forward in the second half last week and subsequently the match winner.

Will he say there, and what does that mean for veteran Michael Powell who has only kicked six goals in his last eight games?

With Luke Kiel and James Richards unavailable, Bailey Veale a question mark, and Sam Hill no chance with a concussion, the Burra can’t take the cellar dwellers lightly and undo all their hard work to secure a finals finish.

Prediction: Sebastopol comfortably.