By Tara Murray
Melton is hunting consistency in the back half of the Ballarat Football League season.
While sitting in the top six, the Bloods haven’t been able to put together two wins in a row since rounds three and four.
Their win-lose routine continued on Saturday when they beat arch rival Melton South.
Bloods coach Aaron Tymms said they wished they knew why they were playing up-and-down football.
“Getting some consistency is the main thing we’re looking for,” he said.
“When we play well, our footy is as good as any. Our bad footy is horrid. We need to close that gap.”
On Saturday, the Bloods downed the Panthers 10.15 (75)-5.3 (33).
Like the first time the teams met this season, the Bloods didn’t make the most of their early opportunities.
The Bloods had 25 scoring shots to eight, but they led by just 20 points at the last break.
“We didn’t take our opportunities early,” Tymms said. “We kept them in the game until midway through the third quarter.
“We had the kicking yips again. We had them early in the season, but we thought we had fixed them.”
Ben Archard, Liam Carter and Ryan Davis kicked two goals each for the Bloods.
Seventeen-year-old Ben McMahon was named the Bloods’ best, while first-gamer Harrison Hanley had a good outing.
For the Panthers, Cody Chapman was best.
VFL star Issac Conway made his return to football with the Panthers after a knee reconstruction.
PHOTO GALLERY: Melton vs Melton South
The Bloods have three home and three away games in the run home, which Tymms said would be tough.
“It’s pretty even this year,” he said. “We’re only a game or two off top. Any team can beat anyone.”
The run home will starts against Sebastopol up in Ballarat.
The two teams are equal on points.
“It’s a big game for us,” Tymms said.
“We play them again in another four weeks. We want to get one against them.”
In other results, Bacchus Marsh returned to the winners’ list by beating Lake Wendouree 11.13 (79)-7.12 (54).
The Cobras got off to a flier and led by 21 points at quarter-time, with the margin staying around that for the rest of the day.
Jake Owen kicked four goals for the Cobras, with Nick Stuhldreier named their best.
The Cobras are a game outside the top six.
Darley remains in second despite losing to East Point in the top-of-the-table clash.
Darley led at the three breaks, but wasn’t able to hold off East Point, which won 15.9 (99)-11.11 (77).
Shane Page was named the Devils’ best in the loss.
Sebastopol and North Ballarat City were the other winners.
