Round 3 winners so far include North Ballarat, Geelong, Casey Scorpions and Frankston.
We look at how each game was won:
NORTH BALLARAT d BENDIGO: North Ballarat recorded their first win of the season with an 85-point win over regional rivals Bendigo. The final margin was not a true reflection of the game up until three quarter time, with the Roosters only in front by 20 points at the final change. But injuries to the Gold, and a 12-goal to one final term saw the Roosters race to their first win of 2013. An inability to stop two goal kicking runs by the Roosters hampered Bendigo, after the Gold led by two points at quarter time. But with North Ballarat kicking six unanswered goals to complete the second term, they then kicked the first 11 goals of the final term to run out winners. The visitors shared the goals around with Aaron Black kicking five, Jason Linke four and Marcus Darmody three. Steve Stroobants was the only multiple goal kickers for the Gold with two. Ben Jacobs was best for the Roosters with 41 possessions – 23 contested - followed by Myles Swell and Black.
GEELONG d BOX HILL HAWKS: In a typical battle of when the Cats and Hawks clash, Geelong ran over the Box Hill Hawks in the final term to claim a five-point victory. In a game that never saw the margin surpass 17 points, the Cats kicked the first three goals of the final term to turn an eight-point three quarter time deficit into an 11-point lead. Late goals to Luke Lowden and Brian Lake once again got the margin within five points, but that was where it stayed when the final siren sounded. The major talking point after the game was an injury to returning Cats AFL listed player Daniel Menzel. In his second game back from another knee injury, Geelong coach Matthew Knights confirmed that Menzel hurt his left knee in a tackle late in the second term, and with his history of injuries the club took all precautions, resting him for the second half before he has scans early in the week. Josh Hunt (pictured) showed his experience with 19 disposals, with Jordan Schroder (two goals) and Jackson Sherringham amongst the best. With news of Ryan Schoenmakers knee injury for Hawthorn in Tasmania, Hawks fans would have been pleased with Brian Lakes performance for Box Hill, with 22 disposals in keeping Cats Joel Hamling scoreless.
CASEY SCORPIONS d ESSENDON: Casey sits on top of the Peter Jackson VFL ladder on Saturday night after their third win on the trot. A seven goal to three second term helped set up the Scorpions 82-point win. In the battle of the young up and comers, Essendon’s Joe Daniher and Casey’s Jesse Hogan both finished with four goals, but the Bombers had no answers for the forward pressure of the Scorpions boasting eight multiple goal kickers. Jordie McKenzie and James Magner led the possessions for Casey with 31 each, with David Rodan (24 and three goals), Michael Riseley and Jake Spencer amongst their best. For Essendon, former Gippsland Power player Anthony Tipungwuti impressed as the 23rd players, as did Ariel Steinberg and Will Hams. Scott Gumbleton and Nathan Lovett Murray did not take their places for the Bombers, with Gumbleton called up for AFL duties, impressing with four goals and 18 disposals.
FRANKSTON d COLLINGWOOD: Frankston will find themselves sitting in the Peter Jackson VFL top eight at the end of Round three after the recorded their first back to back victories since Rd 16/17 2008. Led by returning Dolphins recruit Michael Lourey with eight goals up forward, the Dolphins grabbed the early lead and held onto it, despite a fast finish by Collingwood which got them within 13 points with the breeze in the final term. Mitch Bosward relished the challenge to quell the influence of former teammate Kyle Martin, who despite kicking four goals did gain as many disposals as previous weeks. The Dolphins have been able to kick two winning scores without key forward Khan Haretuku who remains on the sidelines, with Dave Gallagher and Lachlan Delahunty once again amongst their best. Andrew Krauker led the possessions with 36 for the Magpies, with Ben Kennedy (30) and Adam Oxley their best.
Click HERE for the full best players and goal kickers.
SUNDAY GAMES:
Port Melbourne vs Sandringham (note change of venue to Frankston Oval)
Coburg vs Northern Blues
Williamstown vs Werribee Tigers (VFL Radio game)
Follow @VFLnews on twitter Sunday for live update scores through the afternoon.
Photo: Jenny Owens
Last Modified on 20/04/2013 21:13