Scalps continue to mount for unassuming Appleby
IN a football landscape where statistics often dominate the headlines, outstanding performances without the ball can often be forgotten. While much of this weekend’s TAC Cup action surrounded the likes of star-studded performances from top 10 picks Paddy Dow, Cam Rayner and Jarrod Brander, there was an unassuming defender who, for the third week in […]
Weekend That Was – Round 3
ROUND 3 started off with a shock result, as Oakleigh Chargers knocked off the previously unbeaten Eastern Ranges in a grand final rematch. Despite going in as favourites, Eastern went down by 16 points after leading by a point at half-time. Oakleigh’s Lachlan Walker continued his fantastic early season form with 31 disposals, three marks, […]
Rippon for the picking
It is 6:30 am. It is cold. The city of Ballarat is quiet in preparation of the day ahead, while the clouds above have promised to hold off a little longer before their ritual interruption begins. Athletes are not supposed to be up at this time. For them, this is a time of rest from […]
2015 Draft Profile: Daniel Rioli
Daniel Rioli (North Ballarat Rebels) Height: 180 cm Weight: 69 kg Position: Small forward Player comparison: Jeff Garlett Strengths: Goal sense, x-factor, agility, speed Weaknesses: Defensive work, consistency First year impact: Very low Whenever the surname Rioli is brought up, there is unrivalled excitement. Like Cyril before him and Maurice and Michael before Cyril, Daniel Rioli […]
2015 Draft Profile: Darcy Tucker
Darcy Tucker (North Ballarat Rebels) Height: 183 cm Weight: 80 kg Position: Outside midfielder/half back Player comparison: Sam Docherty Strengths: Skills, footy smarts, leadership Weaknesses: Consistency, inside game First year impact: Some, but likely to be a second year player In every draft there are bolters and sliders that rise up or drop down the order […]
2015 Draft Profile: Jacob Hopper
Jacob Hopper (North Ballarat Rebels) Height: 186 cm Weight: 82 kg Position: Inside midfielder Player comparison: David Armitage Strengths: Contested ball, strength, clearances, goal kicking Weaknesses: Outside game, footskills First year impact: Rising star nominee Kicking: Average Marking: Above average Endurance: Elite Speed: Average Jacob Hopper was one of those players that has been locked […]
TAC Cup finals review: Week three wrap
Dandenong Stingrays 5.7 (37) Eastern Ranges 8.17 (65) Dandenong goals: J. Weitering 2, K. Collins, K. Mutimer, S. Gladman. Eastern goals: C. Brown (3), J. Stephenson (3), B. Hardwick, R.Clarke. Dandenong best: D. Capiron, J. Weitering, T. Jok, K. Collins, B. White Eastern best: R. Clarke, B. Batty, D. Clarke, A. Cotte, C. Brown Eastern Ranges have […]
TAC Cup week three finals preview: North Ballarat Rebels vs. Oakleigh Chargers
In the second match of preliminary final weekend, North Ballarat Rebels take on Oakleigh Chargers at Ikon Park. The North Ballarat Rebels earned a week off after defeating the Geelong Falcons by two goals in the qualifying final a fortnight ago, while the Oakleigh Chargers won through in a narrow six-point upset win over the […]
Rebels set to buck the premiership trend in 2015
North Ballarat Rebels are one of three teams charging towards its second TAC Cup premiership, but the lid is firmly on, despite a strong start in season 2015. The Rebels only blemish this year was an unlucky two-point loss to Geelong Falcons at Simonds Stadium. That result that could have gone either way, especially considering […]
Calder assert dominance after disappointing first quarter
After witnessing one of the best TAC Cup matches of all time, many fans at Visy Park hoped that the next qualifying final could be just as exciting. It was, for about a half. The Calder Cannons have been the dominant team all season, finishing minor premiers after leap-frogging the Oakleigh Chargers. They have a […]
