Queensland 14.12 (96) defeated Eastern Ranges 5.9 (39)

GOALS:

Queensland: L. Dawson 4, B. Preuss 3, L. Moseley, C. Stevenson, L. Weller, H. Leong, J. Rayner, M. Uebergang, J. Watson.
Eastern: C. Clarke 2, D. Crocker, R. Harvey, B. Hardwick.

BEST:

Queensland: B. Keays, C. Wagner, L. Dawson, . Henderson, N. Jackson, B. Preuss
Eastern: L. Hannon, C. Clarke, J. Healy, D. Crocker, L. Jeffs, R. Harvey

Queensland made full use of a depleted Eastern Ranges outfit, to win in its home state by 57 points. Liam Dawson booted four goals while Braydon Preuss booted three as the two multiple goal kickers on the way to Queensland’s highest score of the season. Corey Wagner and Benjamin Keays were finding plenty of footy to raise their draft stocks, while for Eastern, Christopher Clark, Liam Jeffs and Luke Hannon were the best.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5- Benjamin Keays (Queensland)
4- Corey Wagner (Queensland)
3- Liam Dawson (Queensland)
2- Braydon Preuss (Queensland)
1- Lachlan Weller (Queensland)

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Bendigo Pioneers 11.5 (71) defeated NSW/ACT Rams 7.12 (54)

GOALS:

Bendigo: L. Coates 2, L. Barrett 2, B. Edwards, M. Chisari, J. Muscatello, T. Cole, F. Payne, C. Toohey, L. Tardrew.
NSW/ACT: J. Steele 2, J. Campbell, M. Mattingly, N. Foster, J. Cornell, Z. Johns.

BEST:

Bendigo: J. Ryan, M. Pickering, S. Simmons, B. Edwards, J. Lawton, L. Coates
NSW/ACT: M. Mattingly, J. Foote, C. Mills, J. Steele, T. Coenen, L. Griffiths

Bendigo Pioneers haven’t had the greatest of seasons the last few years, but managed to get a 17-point win over the NSW/ACT Rams. No doubt their job was made easier by the withdrawal of Isaac Heeney, but nonetheless, the Pioneers got the job done. Luke Coates and Liam Barrett both booted two goals up in Mildura, while Matthew Pickering, Josh Ryan and Bailey Edwards were all busy. For the Rams, Callum Mills was the best on ground while Michael Mattingly and Jason Steele also received big numbers.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5- Callum Mills (NSW/ACT)
4- Michael Mattingly (NSW/ACT)
3- Liam Barrett (Bendigo Pioneers)
2- Matthew Pickering (Bendigo Pioneers)
1- Jason Steele (NSW/ACT)

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Western Jets 14.10 (94) defeated by Geelong Falcons 17.8 (110)

GOALS:

Western: L. Spiteri 3, C. Sullivan 2, B. Monk 2, H. Bray 2, C. Holdsworth 2, B. Psaila, R. Stuhldreier, M. Norton.
Geelong: B. Warren 5, S. Dixon 3, M. Patten 2, A. Christensen 2, M. Augerinos 2, J. Hudson, J. Hickey, P. Bright.

BEST:

Western: R. Stuhldreier, B. Myers, L. McMahon, B. Monk, M. Orr, C. Sullivan
Geelong: S. Dixon, M. Augerinos, B. Warren, D. McMahon, H. Smith, H. Kol

Geelong Falcons edged out the Western Jets in an impressive battle of two top-four potential sides at Avalon City Oval. The unlucky Jets lead at every change but fell short as the Falcons ran over the top of them by 16 points. It must have been a bitter taste for the Jets, but ironic at the same time after they produced the opposite the week before, to outrun the Northern Knights and get home in the last quarter. Scott Dixon was fantastic up forward with three goals and 21 disposals while Max Augerinos and Harrison Kol were prime ball winners. For the Jets, Liam McMahon had 19 of a possible 20 effective disposals with Ryley Stuhldreier and Brayden Monk the best for the home side.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5- Scott Dixon (Geelong Falcons)
4- Ryley Stuhldreier (Western Jets)
3- Max Augerinos (Geelong Falcons)
2- Harrison Kol (Geelong Falcons)
1- Liam McMahon (Western Jets)

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Gippsland Power 11.9 (75) defeated by Calder Cannons 13.15 (93)

GOALS:

Gippsland: A. Di Ciero 2, M. Jacobsen 2, T. Papley 2, N. Holmes, B. Dessent, A. Carr, M. Bristow, D. Keilty.
Calder: J. Foster 5, L. Kennedy 2, J. Corigliano, J. Landt, J. Flower, N. O”Kearney, R. O’Brien, M. Kovacevic.

BEST:

Gippsland: A. Carr, N. Holmes, M. Stanlake, T. Beck, T. Marsh, T. Papley
Calder: N. O’Kearney, J. Foster, T. Donoghue, T. Condon, M. Conn, H. Kerbatieh

Calder Cannons continued their fantastic 2014 season, with a showcasing of depth to get a solid 18-point win over the Gippsland Power at Morwell Oval. Jayden Foster booted five while Luke Kennedy chipped in with two for the Cannons. Nicholas O’Kearney was really impressive with a number of key players out on representative duties, racking up 32 disposals, six marks, six tackles and a goal to be best on ground. Tom Donoghue had an impressive 13 tackles to emphasise the defensive pressure that Calder brought to the match. For Gippsland, over-ager Alex Carr continued to valiantly lead the team in the midfield, while Nash Holmes and Mitch Stanlake were also brave in defeat.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5- Nicholas O’Kearney (Calder Cannons)
4- Jayden Foster (Calder Cannons)
3- Alex Carr (Gippsland Power)
2- Nash Holmes (Gippsland Power)
1- Mitch Stanlake (Gippsland Power)

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Murray Bushrangers 11.16 (82) defeated by Oakleigh Chargers 13.7 (85)

GOALS:

Murray: N. Coughlan 3, N. Mellington 2, J. Clarke 2, L. Tiziani, H. Peni, D. Howard, T. Holman.
Oakleigh: L. Waddell 3, L. Patterson 2, K. Dove 2, Z. Jones, J. Sinclair, M. Higgins, D. Moore, D. Cuningham, A. Oppy.

BEST:

Murray: I. Muller, M. Mahady, N. Coughlan, M. Brennan, K. Ellis, D. Howard
Oakleigh: J. Sinclair, A. Urban, D. Moore, A. Oppy, L. Waddell, D. Cuningham

Murray Bushrangers came agonisingly close to causing a monumental upset of the Oakleigh Chargers in Wangaratta. It wasn’t to be, despite clawing them back for four quarters and falling short by three points. Nicholas Coughlan booted three goals in his first impressive game this season after missing last year with injury, while Lachlan Waddell matched his effort down the other end. For Oakleigh, Jack Sinclair was best afield with 33 disposals, four marks, eight tackles and a goal; while Alex Urban was also able to positively impact the contest. Isaac Muller was the best for Murray, impressing in the ruck around the ground.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5- Jack Sinclair (Oakleigh Chargers)
4- Alex Urban (Oakleigh Chargers)
3- Isaac Muller (Murray Bushrangers)
2- Lucas Waddell (Oakleigh Chargers)
1- Nicholas Coughlan (Murray Bushrangers)

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North Ballarat Rebels 24.3 (147) defeated Sandringham Dragons 8.10 (58)

GOALS:

North Ballarat: M. Johnston 4, J. Wheelahan 4, J. Palmer 3, T. Taurau 3, T. Templeton 3, B. Simpson 2, S. Bennett, T. Ludeman, J. Cowan, J. O’Beirne, A. Cleary.
Sandringham: H. Dear 3, A. Spencer 3, T. Cameron, G. Lok.

BEST:

North Ballarat: O. McDonald, M. Johnston, J. Wheelahan, S. Bennett, T. Templeton, N. Weightman
Sandringham: D. James, H. Dear, T. Grace, M. Manteit, G. Lok, W. Fordham

North Ballarat Rebels produced a performance almost two years in the making to win its fourth consecutive match by a whopping 89 points at Eureka Stadium. The home crowd was ecstatic as the Rebels are back in the frame for a potential finals appearance after a disappointing 18 months that has seen them languishing at the bottom of the table. To emphasise their control over the match, they had six multiple goal scorers, more than Sandringham’s total of four. Matthew Johnston and Jacob Wheelahan were the best with four, while Tom Templeton and Sam Bennett continued their impressive seasons. It was a day to forget for Sandringham who were missing a few names including Angus Brayshaw, but with the likes of Taylor Grace, Michael Manteit and Harry Dear in the team, one would have thought a more competitive effort was required. Grace had his regular 40 disposals, while Dear booted three goals to be two of the only players that stood up in the loss.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5- Matthew Johnston (North Ballarat Rebels)
4- Jacob Wheelahan (North Ballarat Rebels)
3- Oscar McDonald (North Ballart Rebels)
2- Taylor Grace (Sandringham Dragons)
1- Tom Templeton (Sandringham Dragons)

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Dandenong Stingrays 16.18 (114) defeated Northern Knights 10.5 (65)

GOALS:

Dandenong: L. Williams 3, A. Wilson 3, T. Joyce 3, K. Downie 2, L. Batten, J. Wheeler, D. Moloney, J. Tomkins, A. Harnett.
Northern: B. Fiorini 3, J. Gresham 2, G. McDonagh 2, K. Declase, M. Dawson, J. Booth.

BEST:

Dandenong: K. Gray, M. White, A. Wilson, A. Harnett, D. Kempster, L. Williams
Northern: J. Perry, J. Gresham, J. El Moussalli, C. Porter, T. Leonardis, B. Fiorini

Dandenong Stingrays made a concerted effort to try and improve their home form at Shepley Oval and it started with a 49-point win over a depleted Northern Knights. While the home side were missing key movers Tom Lamb and Jack Lonie, the Knights had quite a number of players out on representative duties. Kyle Gray was solid in defence while Aaron Wilson was equally as good in attack. Mitchell White and Alex Harnett were the best through the middle for the Stingrays, but the best on ground was from the losing side in Jordan Perry who had 38 disposals, six marks and seven tackles. Tyrone Leonardis and Garrett McDonagh were also solid in defeat.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5- Jordan Perry (Northern Knights)
4- Mitchell White (Dandenong Stingrays)
3- Kyle Gray (Dandenong Stingrays)
2- Alex Harnett (Dandenong Stingrays)
1- Aaron Wilson (Dandenong Stingrays)