The Club’s Intra-Club match dubbed the 'Goldfields Cup' has been taken home by the Jordan Roughead coached Ballarat team after a scintillating opening term that set up victory.
The two teams consisting of AFL, VFL and SSP-listed players played three periods of football on Wednesday evening, with numerous players impressing in the first official match of the year.
Finlay Macrae led the Ballarat side to a seven-goal opening term from the midfield alongside Bobby Hill up forward, while Scott Pendlebury and Tom Mitchell worked hard in the midfield for Scott Selwood’s Bendigo team in the second period.
Some game-like scenarios ensued in the third period as they continued to find the big sticks, with the Ballarat team ending as comfortable winners.
Macrae makes his mark
Fin Macrae was the standout performer of the first quarter, extracting the ball from centre clearances and using his running power to gather possessions. The 21-year-old at one point had three possessions in one passage of play along the broadcast wing, linking up with his teammates consistently in Ballarat’s frenetic start. Having starred at VFL level for the past two seasons, Macrae’s consistency stood out and was again a feature during the match.
SSP players put up their hand
Barring Josh Eyre who suffered a hamstring injury last week, all of the Club’s SSP train-on players were given the opportunity to play on Wednesday afternoon. Lachie Sullivan racked the ball up at every opportunity for Ballarat, hitting the scoreboard in the first quarter and setting multiple goals up as well. Sam Sofronidis made his presence known in defence for Ballarat, repelling many inside fifties with composure, while his teammate for the day and 2023 VFL Captain Campbell Hustwaite showed his poise through the midfield. For Bendigo, tall Brynn Tajle kicked his side’s opening goal as he mixed his time through both the ruck and up forward, while midfielder Jack Bytel diligently plied his trade through the centre of the ground – often matched up on the opposition’s strongest midfielder.
Ballarat’s forwards stand tall
A feature of Jordan Roughead’s side on Wednesday was their key talls in the forward line, with Nathan Krueger, Ash Johnson, and Darcy Cameron all having their moments. The left-footed Krueger was the pick of the trio, kicking three goals and taking some courageous marks, while Johnson kicked the opening goal of the game before offering various goal assists throughout the remainder of the match. For Cameron, who split his time between forward and ruck, it was his contested marking inside fifty which impressed.
Bobby stays at the top of the Hill
In his first real hit out since claiming the Norm Smith Medal last September, Bobby Hill remained at his dynamic best with a fantastic display for Ballarat. The small forward snagged two opening period goals in typically eye-catching fashion and then another in the second, however it was his work at ground level all around the ground that highlighted him as one of the standouts of the game. Hill will likely get his first opportunity to play alongside Lachie Schultz in next week’s match simulation against North Melbourne, after Schultz sat out Wednesday with a corkey.
Dean and Lipinski produce magic moments
Playing as one of the Ballarat team’s key defenders, Charlie Dean produced a moment of brilliance on the goal-line to repel a Reef McInnes snap. Lining up on his left foot, McInnes’ shot on goal was on target until a flying Dean came from behind the goal line to spoil the ball back into play and save a certain six points. At the other end of the ground but for the same side, it was Lipinski who kicking a jaw-dropping goal from the boundary. Tucked up in the pocket and over 40m out, the midfielder slotted in his second of the day in classy fashion.
