How exciting to kick off the 2022 season with a solid hit out against the Hepburn Burras! We have welcomed so many new faces and families to the club in 2022 and it was great to mingle with everyone and get back into it. We received many compliments on our new range of club merchandise from both sides on Saturday which was great to hear! Please be sure to place your order online via our club shop for apparel, we’ve already had to place a second large order, due to arrive just before Round 2. A reminder too; to please wait until you receive the ‘Ready for Collection’ email, before visiting the Skin Inn to collect your order.

BLUES ROUND 1 WRAP UP

SENIOR NETBALL

A GRADE
Ballan drew with Hepburn 30 – 30

B GRADE
Ballan def Hepburn 39 – 11

We saw some great signs from the team who went goal to goal with Hepburn and grinded hard as a unit throughout the whole game. Our defence fought hard to win back ball providing our attack and mid court with opportunities throughout the game. The display the team put on is a great insight to what we can expect from the girls this season. B Grade showed strong results with strong mid court dominance and connecting well with our attack. Our defenders worked hard to provide turnovers, bringing intensity in all four quarters and our shooting end had a strong performance being led by Emily Lyle. We are extremely proud of both our A and B grade sides, and their efforts they have put in during preseason and this round. We’re looking forward to seeing both sides grow throughout the season!

A big thank you to our C Grade team who ventured out to support us, cheering hard on the sidelines despite a week off due to Hepburn not fielding a side.

JUNIOR NETBALL

17 & UNDER
Hepburn def Ballan 55 – 7

Ballan U17’s were faced with a a dominant Hepburn team. Despite many challenges leading into the season and on game day, the girls took the court with confidence and smiles. The team were shocked with Hepburn’s depth and strength across the whole court, however, continued to take the court each quarter and try their best. They went back to basics with focusing on their passing, footwork and leads. Captain Bridget Casey played a dominant role in defence leading junior players Naeve, Audrey Healey and Tarlia Jamieson to apply pressure to Hepburn’s attacking end.

Katie, one of the many U15’s players to take the court on Saturday with the U17’s had the challenge of playing a different position to her usual. She took this opportunity with two hands and helped progress the ball through our midcourt. Many thanks to the U15’s player who put their hands put to ensure we could have a side on Saturday to take the court against Hepburn. Despite the score the girls showed great passion and passages of play that we will expand on ahead of Round 2 against Clunes.
BEST ON GROUND: Bridget Casey, Katie Parente’

15 & UNDER
Hepburn def Ballan 41 – 13

Our U15’s were faced with a very strong, fit, top age team from Hepburn for their first match. After taking the first quarter to settle as a team, they worked their way back in the 2nd and 3rd quarters by focussing on the little things and how to convert the play and score.  All players continued to push themselves throughout the entire game, but special mention goes to Niamh M who never gave up and Tarlia Jamieson who defended really well and forced many turnovers. Whilst it was a disappointing first game, the girls know what they need to do and are motivated to improve as players and as a team!

13A & UNDER
Ballan def Hepburn 13 – 6

What a great feeling to start the season off with a win?! Our Under 13A team came out firing, and then kept on going! It was clear that the girls were hungry for a win and that they would stop at nothing to achieve this. Sophie Sims was incredible in defence, consistently keeping her eyes on the ball and intercepting passes from every direction, to stop Hepburn from scoring. Did we mention that she has never played in this position before!? Up the other end of the court, Ruby McLeod showed us how well she can perform under pressure to score some very important goals and ensure Ballan kept a strong lead for Hepburn to compete with. The girls were disciplined and listened to advice to improve the game and continued to encourage each other if there was any confusion or a turnover that forced our girls to work even harder.

13B & UNDER
Hepburn def Ballan 6 -2

For many of our Under 13B girls this was their first time playing a game of netball, and what an impressive effort! Whilst it was wet and competition netball being very new for the girls, each team member worked hard to remember the rules, to attack and defend the ball and score some very important goals. Milly Conroy and Brandi Mulgrew were exemplary in their focus and determination to ensure Ballan had a presence on the scoreboard. Each team mate remained positive throughout the game and in spite of a loss, there were excited smiles on every face after having played our first game together. With a little more practice (and maybe a few growth spurts), our Ballan Under 13Bs are sure to grow as a very confident and capable team! Excellent effort girls!

FOOTBALL

SENIOR FOOTBALL
Hepburn 31.20 206 def Ballan 1.3 9

Our Seniors didn’t get off to the start of the season as well as they would have liked. Despite a very strong pre season from the boys, we knew Hepburn would be a tough start to the season, come out firing and be very, very strong. The Blues found plenty of the footy but just couldn’t find enough targets to be competitive. Ryan and Austin Bongart battled well all day and Jeda Stone had a solid outing. Tristan and the boys are looking to build on their game, and have their sights set on a big improvement for Round 2.
RESERVES FOOTBALL
Hepburn 31.20 206 def Ballan 6.1 37
With a late scramble to pull the side together, the Reserves had a good hit out and didn’t give up all day again; facing a very strong side in Hepburn. Matt White was named best on ground as he battled away in the ruck for majority of the day.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

UNDER 18s

Hepburn 17.17 119 def Ballan 1.2 8

It was incredible to see an 18s side back at the Blues after a two year hiatus! The boys started well without scoring, often running back and forwards with a battle of the backlines. Blues backline was lead by Mack Popple flying high at every contest and was solid all day. Noah Newman out on the wing ran hard picking up multiple possessions. A highlight of the game was the incredible goal from Tom Cox right in front the coaches box! In a game first at the Blues for Kobain, gave an impressive performance in the ruck earning him Best on Ground from the coaches. The boys will keep learning, and building on the basics ahead of our Round 2 clash against Clunes.

UNDER 15s
Ballan 6-4-40 drew Hepburn 6-4-40

Our U15s had a hard fought draw in what was a very entertaining game. After the Blues lost the coin toss Hepburn kicked two quick goals and had our boys on the back foot. James Mullane, Logan Monterosso and Jayce Bower kick started the comeback and by the last quarter our boys had a small lead. It was neck and neck during the last quarter. Hepburn had the chance to win with a kick after the siren but narrowly missed resulting in a draw!

BEST ON GROUND: J.Mullane, L. Monterosso, C.McBride, J.Anglin, J.Bower, C.Matheson.

UNDER 12s
Hepburn 3.2 20 def Ballan 1.7 13

A great hit out by our U12s lead by coach Harley Bongart. Excitement was definitely in the air and it was great to see a very fun, supportive and enthusiastic game! Looking forward the season with some of our youngest players, building their skills and having fun along the way.

A big thank to all of our parents, volunteers and new trainers who debuted on the field this weekend! We really can’t do it without you, so a big, warm thank you.

Wishing our members a wonderful and safe Easter holiday.

GO BLUES!

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Mental Health session with Outside the Locker Room – Thursday 28 April, 7;30pm – Bowls Club
  • Ladies Day – Sunday, 1 May 12pm – Wine & Deli Co Tickets are limited and selling quick – BFNC Ladies Day
  • Black Tie Ball – Saturday, 14 May, 7:30pm – St Anne’s Winery Myrniong Tickets available online now – BFNC Black Tie Ball