EFL 2022: Blackburn’s Ryan Bathie bags eight in Balwyn upset

A forward kicked a bag while a ‘complete midfield performance’ highlighted Blackburn’s upset of Balwyn, lifting it six points clear in the top six.

BLACKBURN’s finals push has continued in the Eastern league’s Premier Division following its upset of top-three outfit Balwyn on Saturday.

The visitors stunned the Tigers 17.11 (113) to 10.13 (73) in a result which lifts the Burners six points clear in sixth spot with a 6-5-1 record, marking four wins from their past five matches.

And it was an onslaught from the outset, as Blackburn piled on 8.2 to Balwyn’s 3.1 in the opening term, taking leads of 23 and 38 into the subsequent breaks led by a bag of eight majors from key forward Ryan Bathie.

Ryan Bathie kicked eight for Blackburn on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Blackburn senior coach Brendan Allen said the previous week’s loss to ladder-leader Rowville served as the catalyst, as several opportunities inside 50 went begging in the 31-point loss.

“We were pretty disappointed after Rowville – we actually pushed Rowville for long periods but didn’t hit the scoreboard,” Allen said.

“There was a big focus this week to really tidy up our forward-50 entries – we had a freshen-up on Tuesday, the heavy wet track was starting to take a toll on the legs so we did a bit of a session on the basketball courts (and) it seemed to really do the trick.

“Just our ability to get over the ground the whole game, we were running it right out to the very last minute.”

Despite Bathie’s dominance, tough midfielder Jason Read finished best afield while forward Nick Gray also featured among a collective midfield effort.

“I think he (Read) had the first six clearances of the game, and he was just a bull in there,” Allen said.

“He’s really worked out his strengths and weaknesses and he plays to that now – he was well supported by Lachie Bugeja, Jack Roughsedge and Nick Gray.

“It was actually a complete midfield performance.”

Jack Roughsedge on the go against Vermont. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Bathie’s bag was joined by Ben Horsnaill (three) and Sam MacCaulay (two) as Balwyn’s Charlie Haley finished with four majors.

Blackburn is set to be without Kieren Hubber (ankle) and Charlie Oglethorpe (corky) for next weekend’s clash with North Ringwood after injuries on Saturday, while Reece Conca (work) and Mackenzie Doreian (VFL) are also set to miss.

But the Burners could regain Liam Murphy from concussion who remains a “50-50” prospect to play, while key men Tyler Faulkner and Kyle Dove are also in the frame.

Matches against South Croydon (fifth) and Doncaster East (third) follow the Saints, who the coach remains wary of.

“We play the teams in and around us on the run home and if we get the job done, we secure our own fate,” Allen said.

“We can’t drop this one (North Ringwood) as it’ll put us right back to the pack.”

Balwyn drops to fourth on the ladder with an 8-4 record, ahead of its match with Berwick next weekend.