BALLARAT Football League has slipped into fifth spot in VCFL country championships rankings after losing to Geelong by 23 points in Ballarat on Saturday.
Just last season the Ballarat league was vying for the top ranking.
However, a loss then to Goulburn Valley and now Geelong, will see Ballarat playing against Bendigo at the third tier next season.
In contrast, Geelong will play off for number one against Goulburn Valley.
The GFL was determined to avenge a loss to Ballarat two years ago, and it did so comfortably, 13.12 (90) to 10.7 (67).
Ballarat coach Shaune Moloney highlighted in the build-up that he selected players with a thirst for the contest and desire to win the football.
Early on, Moloney must have thought he had the mix right.
With Ryan Waight, Nathan Horbury and Brett Chambers outstanding across half back and goals coming from Dan Jordan, Tyson Shea and Pat Cariss, Ballarat led by 17 points at quarter-time.
With its run off half back and intensity around the football, Ballarat had a solid basis to set up another win over Geelong.
Geelong was up for the fight, though.
As the match wore on its skill, run and toughness shone through.
It gradually wore down Ballarat with repeated attacks, link-up run and defensive pressure.
Geelong put paid to Ballarat’s resilience when Casey Tutungi converted 10 minutes into the last term to put the visitors 28 points in front.
Moloney was full of praise for his side.
The overwhelming feeling among the coaching staff post-game was that Geelong’s cleaner ball-handling was the difference.
“We followed the game plan, kept attacking and stuck together,” Moloney said. “We beat them in contested possessions, but they were just cleaner than us when they had the ball.
“Their quick handball worked well; it got them into space.”
Ballarat shut down the space and, in turn, Geelong’s run in the first half, but when that started to fall away in the third quarter, Geelong began building – running from the back and kicking long and quickly into attack.
Geelong vice-captain and St Joseph’s star Daniel Lovick was a clear best-on-ground, cutting off supply to Dan Jordan.
His rebounding out of defence was a big reason Geelong took the honours, which particularly pleased Geelong coach Glen Wallace.
Redan star Jarrod Edwards was awarded the VCFL medal as Ballarat’s best, while Daniel Lovick received the medal for Geelong.
In netball, Ballarat conceded a raft of penalties and had few answers to Geelong goaler Erin Hoare (51 goals) as the visitors won by 24 goals, 65 to 41.
– Ash Madder, Ballarat Courier
