Five VFL games were completed today, with wins to Northern Blues, Essendon, Williamstown, North Ballarat and Footscray.
The results today have caused plenty of changes to the VFL Bailey Ladders Ladder, with the Northern Blues entering the top eight, Sandringham dropping out, and all top four teams victorious this weekend.
Oh so close for Bendigo
Bendigo Gold has fallen agonisingly short of its first win since 2012, defeated by five points by the Northern Blues.
Bendigo led by 11 points entering time on in the final term, but late goals to Matthew Watson and the sealer by Nick Holman with seconds left denied them a breakthrough win.
The Blues face a determined Gold outfit, and were unable to extend their lead to any more than 24 points midway through the third quarter.
The Blues led by just three points at three quarter time, and after a goal for goal start to the quarter, Gold quickly took the advantage to hit the front. But in the end the Blues pushed forward on too many occasions in the dying stages and claim an important win to see them sitting inside the top eight at the end of 11 rounds.
Jeff Garlett and Ciaron Byrne were the leading goal kickers for the Blues with two each, while Paul Dirago, Andrew McInnes, Watson and Nick Graham (30 disposals) were among their best.
Captain Steve Stroobants kicked five for the Gold, and Alik Magin three, with both in the best along with Grant Valles and Jackson Sketcher.
Winning run continues for Roosters
North Ballarat continues to be the form team of the VFL competition with its sixth win on the trot, defeating Richmond by 60 points.
The Roosters once again showed their ability to run away from an opponent in the final term, with the Tigers closing to within three points early in the final quarter, only for the Roosters to pile on 10 final term goals to win by 60 points.
The Nick’s had it in the end of North Ballarat, with Couch and Peters kicking four goals each, and Rippon continuing his rich vein of form with 32 disposals. All three featured in the best with Liam Anthony, Coleman Schache and Bryce Curnow.
Former North Ballarat ruckman Orren Stephenson had an enthralling battle with Roosters ruck Eric Wallace, winning the hitouts and kicking three goals to get the better of the dual. He was in the best along with James Wall, Nick Wynne (27 disposals) and Ed Barlow.
Bulldogs claim four in a row
Footscray has produced its fourth win on the trot, defeating Collingwood by 45 points. The match was the second week in a row the Bulldogs have defeated a top four side, entrenching themselves in top four and announcing themselves as a serious contender in 2014.
A six goal first and final term bookended the game for the Bulldogs, with Jack Redpath (four goals) and Mitch Honeychurch (three) the major targets up forward again.
Lachlan Hunter continued his good form of the previous week in the middle to be among the best, along with Sam Darley, Brett Goodes, Redpath, Jordan Russell and Jason Johannisen.
Collingwood produced just the two multiple goal kickers in Lachlan Ferguson (three) and Tim Allan (two).
Ben Kennedy was the standout for the Magpies, with Jake Williams, Josh Turner, Brodie Grundy and Nick Riddle also among the best.
Bombers keep in contact with top 8
Essendon has kept in contact with the VFL top eight with a strong second half against Coburg to win by 45 points.
After trailing by seven points at quarter time, Essendon set up its win with a three goal to nil second term.
Coburg pulled to within 26 points in the final term, but four unanswered late goals to the Bombers ended any upset brewing, as the Bombers won back to back matches and climbed to within four points of the top eight.
The win came off the back of 12 individual goal kickers, with Kyle Hardingham and Cory Dell’Olio leading the way with three, and two goals to Orazio Fantasia was among the best for Essendon with a move from the forwardline to the wing for the second half, along with captain Ben Duscher in the midfield and Dylan Van Unen in defence.
Lech Featherstone kept top spot on the VFL goal kicking ladder with three goals, with Adam Saad, Nathan Blair (20 disposals) and Daniel Venditti (26) among the Lions’ best.
Williamstown returns to winners list
Williamstown remains in the VFL top four with a strong win against Sandringham. After being overrun by Box Hill Hawks in the final term last round, Sandringham attempted to do the same in the final term.
However the Seagulls pushed out to a 39-point lead in the final term and despite late goals to Sandringham, were able to win by 24-points.
Dylan Conway impressed in his first senior game for the season with four goals, with four other players kicking multiple goals in Sean Hetherington, Jack Johnston, Ed Carr and Ben Casley.
Leigh Masters was among the best for Williamstown, along with Conway, Carr, Casley, David Fahey and Peter Faulks.
Sam Dunnell, Banfield and Jason Holmes were the best for Sandringham, with Josh Saunders and Rhys Stanley the leading goal kickers for the Zebras with three each.
See below for the updatedladder plus best players and goal kickers.
CLICK HERE for the full results, best and goals
CLICK HERE for the updated ladder
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 22/06/2014 20:42