Western Jets 9.10 (64)
NSW/ACT Rams 10.11 (71)

Western goals: J. Bertollo 3, M. Knezevic 2, B. Coletta, B. McGregor, D. Venables, J. Dundon.
NSW/ACT goals: H. Himmelberg 4, C. Bance, J. Brown, M. Kennedy, J. Irvine, N. Cooper, A. Treacy.
Western best: F. Campisi , L. Knight , J. Volpato, M. Norton, L. Carter, D. Venables
NSW/ACT best: J. Brown, M. Kennedy, H. Himmelberg, T. Faul, T. Coenen, B. Hodgson

Western Jets were unable to find their first win against a Division 2 state side at home, with a seven-point loss to the NSW/Rams. Harrison Himmelberg was the main culprit for the Rams, booting four goals, while Matthew Kennedy was also prolific around the ground with 26 disposals, four marks, a tackle and a goal. For the Jets, Jackson Volpato has gone from putting his hand up to recruiters, to making it impossible for them not to look at him. Another fantastic performance from the Jets midfielder with 32 disposals, six marks and 12 tackles. Despite a four goal to two last quarter, the Jets were unable to stop the Rams who were the more consistent team all day.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Jackson Volpato (Western Jets)
4 – Matthew Kennedy (NSW/ACT)
3 – Harrison Himmelberg (NSW/ACT)
2 – Frank Campisi (Western Jets)
1 – Lachlan Knight (Western Jets)

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Queensland 7.13 (55)
Dandenong Stingrays 10.9 (69)

Queensland goals: C. Filewood (2), R. William, J. Butler, D. Budarick, C. West, E. Hipwood.
Dandenong goals: T. Young 4, J. Freeman 2, D. Warke, M. Poholke, Z. Roscoe, J. Di Pasquale.
Queensland best: C. Wagner, J. Joyce, E. Hipwood, D. Henderson, G. Woosup, C. Filewood
Dandenong best: J. Weitering, B. Rice, T. Young, B. White, T. Jok, J. Bubb

Dandenong Stingrays bounced back into the top four with a 14-point victory over Queensland in the Sunshine State. The Stingrays led all day, but were reduced to an eight-point margin at the last change, before steadying with a tight three goal to two quarter. Ben Keays was the man on many people’s lips and he didn’t disappoint, casually racking up 43 disposals, nine marks and three tackles, but teammate Corey Wagner’s 31 disposals, four marks and four tackles were arguably of higher quality. For the Stingrays, the usual suspects Jacob Weitering and Bailey Rice were the best, with the latter again showing his effectiveness by foot (100 per cent) and ability to lay seven tackles.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Jacob Weitering (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Bailey Rice (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Corey Wagner (Queensland)
2 – Benjamin Keays (Queensland)
1 – Thomas Jok (Dandenong Stingrays)

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Geelong Falcons 14.9 (93)
Bendigo Pioneers 6.9 (45)

Geelong goals: M. Patten 5, L. McCartney 3, B. Remmos 2, J. Heathcote, C. Curnow, S. Holroyd, N. Connors.
Bendigo goals: X. Elford 3, L. Schultz, L. Tardrew, R. Free.
Geelong best: B. McCarthy, L. Wagener , M. Patten , W. Sexton, C. Curnow, S. Darcy
Bendigo best: X. Elford, T. Cole, M. Hore, J. Atley, J. Muscatello, J. Burke

It was a case of simply too strong and too good for the Geelong Falcons who defeated the winless Pioneers by 48 points on the weekend. Mitch Patten booted five goals in win with the goal sneak continuing his good form, while Lachlan McCartney contributed with three. William Sexton and Charles Curnow were also prolific once again, while Thomas Cole was the sole Pioneer through the midfield who put up resistance, with 32 disposals seven marks and six tackles. Xavia Elford and Marty Hore were also solid for the losers.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal: 

5 – William Sexton (Geelong Falcons)
4 – Thomas Cole (Bendigo Pioneers)
3 – Mitch Patten (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Charles Curnow (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Lachlan McCartney (Geelong Falcons)

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Gippsland Power 14.8 (92)
Northern Knights 9.11 (65)

Gippsland goals: D. Costigan 2, S. Skinner 2, J. McMahon 2, H. McKay 2, J. Patullo, A. Ferreira, T. Papley, N. Holmes, C. Buykx-Smith, N. Argento.
Northern goals: B. Jordan 3, K. Malone 2, J. Gresham 2, M. Maynard, C. McKay.
Gippsland best: N. Holmes, J. Patullo, C. Buykx-Smith, H. McKay, W. Leslie, T. Beck
Northern best: J. Gresham, M. Ercolano, J. El Moussalli, L. Murphy, M. Maynard, J. Marchbank

Gippsland Power produced a four goal to one last quarter to run away 27-point winners in Morwell over the Northern Knights. Nash Holmes was one of the best as was ruckman Joshua Patullo, but there were very few standouts for the Power, with a huge team effort helping them to the result. The margin was just nine points at the final change and Northern had a host of big ball winners, led by Jade Gresham who has been one of the standout players this season, with another massive 37 disposal, 10 marks, six tackles and two goal performance.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Jade Gresham (Northern Knights)
4 – Nash Holmes (Gippsland Power)
3 – Joshua Patullo (Gippsland Power)
2 –Brayden Fiorini (Northern Knights)
1 – Matthew Perry (Northern Knights)

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Murray Bushrangers 10.4 (64)
Oakleigh Chargers 10.16 (76)

Murray goals: L. Smith 4, C. Oliver 2, M. Canfield, T. McMullan, J. Minogue, L. Middleton.
Oakleigh goals: B. Crocker 4, N. Larkey, D. Houston, D. Cuningham, F. Pearce, L. Walker, H. Thompson.
Murray best: R. Garthwaite, L. Smith, C. Oliver, B. Sharp, M. Waite, J. Marshall
Oakleigh best: L. Sullivan, H. Thompson, T. Phillips, M. Jackson, K. Answerth, A. Morgan

Oakleigh Chargers maintained their strong start to the season with a 12-point win over top eight side Murray Bushrangers. The Bushrangers led at half time, while the Chargers led at quarter time and then again at three quarter time by eight points. Both sides kicked three goals in the final quarter, with the Chargers able to get away with the win despite inaccuracy that threatened to derail the game for them. Harry Thompson continued his improved season with 22 disposals, 19 hitouts, 10 marks, four tackles and a goal between playing ruck and forward, while Tom Phillips and Kade Answerth were also good in the win. For the Bushrangers, Luke Smith booted four goals, while Clayton Oliver snatched two as two of the more dangerous players on the field for the Bushrangers.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Harry Thompson (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Tom Phillips (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Luke Smith (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Clayton Oliver (Murray Bushrangers)
1 – Kade Answerth (Oakleigh Chargers)

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Calder Cannons 8.6 (54)
North Ballarat Rebels 17.12 (114)

Calder goals: K. Brown 3, H. Kerbatieh 2, M. Lewis , T. Gawthrop , J. Owen.
North Ballarat goals: E. Frank 6, T. Templeton 4, B. Lusby , H. Dawborn, J. Hopper, D. Tucker, J. Symons, S. Beks, J. Cowan.
Calder best: J. James, M. Stillman, B. Allan, J. Flower, J. Reaper, M. Conn
North Ballarat best: T. Templeton, D. Tucker, J. Webster, E. Frank, T. Taurau, J. Hopper

In a round of typically close matches, it was a bit of an outlier to see the North Ballarat Rebels destroy the Calder Cannons by 60 points away from home. The Rebels moved up to third on the table with a two-point loss to the Geelong Falcons their only blemish, while the Cannons dropped to eighth. Darcy Tucker continued to put his name in contention for the number one draft pick with a 43 disposal game, while over-ager Tom Templeton booted four goals and goal sneak Ezekiel Frank booted six. Josh Webster and Thomas Taurau were others who stood out for the Rebels. For the Cannons, Matthew Stillman, Ben Allan and Mitch Conn were among the best.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Darcy Tucker (North Ballarat Rebels)
4 – Tom Templeton (North Ballarat Rebels)
3 – Ezekiel Frank (North Ballarat Rebels)
2 – Josh Webster (North Ballarat Rebels)
1 – Thomas Taurau (North Ballarat Rebels)

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Sandringham Dragons 1.5 (11)
Eastern Ranges 11.13 (79)

Sandringham goals: H. Balic.
Eastern goals: A. Cotte 2, D. Crocker 2, J. Parsons 2, R. Clarke, D. Clarke, A. Brolic, L. Jeffs, R. Sheridan-Ferrie.
Sandringham best: D. Atkins, L. Hiscock, H. Balic, T. Wilkinson, J. Matera, T. Thompson
Eastern best: D. Clarke, A. Cotte, R. Clarke, P. Klep, A. Brolic, J. Parsons

It was a cold, windy and wet day down at Trevor Barker Oval on Sunday for the clash between the Sandringham Dragons and the Eastern Ranges. With APS football resuming next weekend and tough upcoming fixtures, both sides would have wanted the 4 points.

A highly contested first quarter saw just the one goal kicked by Harley Balic for the Dragons after 14 minutes in the rain. The game opened up after quarter-time with the Ranges using the corridor to hit the scoreboard leading by 19 points at half time.

The key battle all day was between Sam Weideman and Dylan Atkins. Atkins won praise from Dragons coach Jeremy Barnard at quarter time with his efforts on Weideman and it could be said that Atkins won the battle. However although Weideman didn’t hit the scoreboard, his presence around the ground was felt, his ability to bring the ball to ground helped the small forwards and allowed for Ryan and Dylan Clarke to hit the scoreboard.

Liam Hiscock battled hard all day in defence attempting to set up the play from the Dragons backline, however James Parsons and Ryan Harvey beat them in the midfield all day. If the Dragons had taken their chances in the second quarter, they may have had the leg speed to overrun the Ranges, however it wasn’t to be. Darcy Crocker and Aaron Cotte caused havoc up forward both kicking 2 goals, ensuring that the result was never in doubt.

Sandringham Dragons will be looking to bounce back this week against Tasmania to get back into the top 8, whereas Eastern Ranges take on Bendigo Pioneers.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Ryan Clarke (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Ryan Harvey (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Darcy Crocker (Eastern Ranges)
2 – James Parsons (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Dylan Clarke (Eastern Ranges)