IT is set to be a fiery round of Big V action when Camberwell Dragons hot Hume City Broncos at Balwyn High School on Sunday. The Dragons are coming off an even split in Round 1, but will be seething following their heartbreaking eight-point loss to McKinnon. Hume City on the other hand, barely fired a shot as the Broncos were completely dismantled against Wyndham during a high-scoring 37-point defeat at Eagle Stadium.

Camberwell returns to Balwyn where the Dragons will hope to get back on the winners list, having actually lead by four points heading into the final term against the Cougars last week. A fade out in the last quarter as the visitors piled on 24-12 saw the Dragons having to come away empty handed.

It is fair to say the Dragons had more than their fair amount of chances, with 13 more field goal attempts (67-54) but scored half the amount of triples (5-10) and were beaten in the rebounds (42-48). Despite the latter fact, they shared the load from a rebounding front, with six players picking up four or more rebounds, lead by Jay McKenzie (eight). He also managed 12 points at a 41.7 per cent clip from the field. The one player to score more than him was Luke Shelley (18 points, five rebounds), whilst James Guley (12 points, three rebounds) impacted off the bench in 20 minutes on court.

Despite winning the game against Blackburn, Camberwell still lost the rebound count (39-43) but had a far more successful day out from beyond the arc. Shelley looms as the man that the Broncos have to contain as he put up 30 points – four of 11 from three-point range – four rebounds and three assists in the victory. Mackenzie chipping in wiht 16 points – three of six from long-range – and four rebounds.

There was not much to cheer about for the Broncos in their loss to Wyndham, going down comprehensively. Outside the weirdly high-scoring third term of 34-32, the Broncos were smashed 94-55. Hume City had 12 less shots, but it was with the ball where the sides were night and day. Hume City had just 13 assists – to Wyndham’s 24 – 14 less turnovers (25-11) and nine less steals (5-14). A way they might be able to expose Camberwell is in the rebounding department, with five players picking up five or more rebounds.

Makuei Puondak racked up a double-double of 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the match, whilst Max Viitala (19 points, five rebounds) and Bul Niop (15 points, six rebounds) were dual threats on both ends. Puondak in particular was hard to stop on the offensive end, with six offensive rebounds to create second chance opportunities. The Broncos just need to be cleaner with the ball, as a score of 89 will more often than not secure the win, but 25 turnovers in a match is far too high, and they cannot afford to do that on the road against the Dragons this weekend.

In other Round 2 fixtures, it is Sunbury’s turn to do the double-up this weekend, coming off a good 13-point win over Chelsea. The Jets take on Western Port – who copped a harsh reality in Round 1 against McKinnon – before travelling to lock horns with a Blackburn side that also copped a defeat last round. Meanwhile, Chelsea will have to try and somehow break their winless start from two games in Round 1, against the side that picked up back-to-back victories last week in McKinnon. Completing the round, it will be a top-against-bottom clash with Wyndham taking on Western Port.

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2 FIXTURES:

Saturday, March 26:

McKinnon vs. Chelsea | GESAC @ 8pm
Sunbury vs. Western Port | Boardman Stadium @ 8pm

Sunday, March 27:

Blackburn vs. Sunbury | Mullum Mullum Stadium @ 2pm
Camberwell vs. Hume | Balwyn High School @ 2pm
Wyndham vs. Western Port | Eagle Stadium @ 3pm