Tara Murray
Melton South bought in the star power as it produced one of its best days on the field in a number of years in the Ballarat Football League.
The Panthers under-19s got their first win in more than 1700 days to start the day, before the reserves also managed to get a win.
There was plenty of excitement surrounding the senior side with former AFL players Sam Darley, Jeff Garlett and Harley Bennell all pulling on the Panthers jumper.
While the seniors had a 17.16 (118)-9.11 (63) loss to Redan, coach Travis Hodgson said there were plenty of positives out of the game.
“We were really competitive,” he said. “We lost by 50 odd points, but it was really like a five or six goal loss.
“It was a great game and we were in the contest for long periods. We never looked like we would get any closer, but they were never able to open it up.”
Hodgson said while they were really happy with how the group stuck to the game plan, they continued to make too many turnovers and fundamental errors that have proved costly.
Bennell and Garlett kicked two goals each for the Panthers, along with Brendon Kantilla, who is the captain of the Tiwi Bombers.
Darley and Kantilla were named their best alongside Jarrod Bibby who returned to the side.
Hodgson said they would likely see some of these guys another two or three times this season around their other football commitments.
He said some would likely play against East Point this week.
“Sam and Jeff have real leadership,” he said. “It was good for the group and they were able to teach on the ground.
“It’s great for our boys to play with some experienced players. Having them in the side also allowed our four or five under-19s to go back to the under-19s and we saw what that did.”
While without a win so far and on the end of some big losses, Hodgson said there were definitely some positive signs.
“Last year we played Melton and lost by 214 points this year it was 188, Against Sunbury we lost by 204 last year this year was 144.
“Our lowest losing margin last season was 97 to Bacchus Marsh. We more than halved our losing margin to Redan [last time was 218-31].
Hodgson said they felt that their brand of football was starting to show that it could hold up, but it was just about making sure they got the basics right.
“We are playing a better brand and if we can get that right, we will get the reward at the end of it,” he said.
“Too many turnovers and fundamental errors is where the improvement will come from.”
The Panthers this week face East Point at East Point in another big challenge.
