By Tara Murray
Melton heads into its Ballarat Football League bye on the back of three straight wins and back in the top six.
With little separating the top eight teams, every win is vital and none more for the Bloods than Saturday’s clash against arch rival Melton South.
The Bloods looked to have gotten away from the Panthers in the first half before the margin was reduced early in the third quarter.
The Bloods responded well to run away for a the 16.17 (113)-8.8 (56) win.
Bloods coach Aaron Tymms said that although the Panthers had just one win for the season, they couldn’t be taken lightly.
“We were really nervous Friday night,” he said. “So it was good to get away with that one. You never take them lightly.”
Tymms said he was happy with how the side responded in the second half in the face of a Panther challenge.
“They got back to two goals in the third quarter,” he said. “They had kicked three in a row … we responded in the last quarter and ran away with it. We’re starting to learn how to win these sort of games.”
Darren Haby was named the Bloods’ best for a performance that included two goals and 15-odd marks.
Tymms said ruckman Ben Archard was also good.
He said the key to the victory was winning the contested ball, which had been a concern before the game.
For the Panthers, Dylan Conway kicked six goals in his return to the side after being dropped by VFL side Port Melbourne. But the Panthers were without acting captain Lachlan Watkins, who made his VFL debut for Coburg.
The win moves the Bloods up to fifth as one of five teams sitting on 32 points.
Just four points separate second and eighth.
The Bloods have a bye this week before facing Sebastopol the week after.
The Bloods’ most recent loss came against the eighth-placed Burras.
Tymms said they were unsure whether the bye had come at a good time.
“It will freshen us up a little bit with four more weeks to finals if we get there,” he said.
“The Sebas game is really important for us.”
Bacchus Marsh is back in the pack after a second straight loss.
Having previously appeared to have a top two spot secured, the Cobras are now just one win clear of eighth.
The Cobras lost to North Ballarat City 14.7 (91)-12.13 (85).
Jake Owen and Aaron Willitts kicked three goals each for the Cobras, with Trent Angwin named their best.
Darley is just percentage outside the top two after winning a thriller against Lake Wendouree.
The Devils came from behind at three-quarter time to win 8.9 (57)-7.12 (54).
Steven Kennedy was named best on ground.
In good news for the Devils, Abraham Kur returned to the field after his two-game suspension for kneeing during a melee was overturned.
