Melton Centrals have had a reality check in recent weeks after a promising start to the Riddell District Football League season.
After starting the year with two wins and a loss, Centrals have dropped games to Wallan and Woodend-Hesket.
Both were matches many people expected the Melton side to win.
Centrals coach Brian Wheelahan said enough was enough after his side’s 10.10 (70) to 5.13 (43) loss to the Hawks on Saturday.
“We lacked a bit of confidence and butchered the football,’’ he said.
“Being unaccountable doesn’t help either, and if you give teams a lot of space they’ll hurt you on the scoreboard.
“We played selfishly and didn’t work hard enough as a group.”
Wheelahan said his players knew what they needed to work on during the interleague break.
“[There] will be four tough sessions on the track before we play Macedon,’’ he said.
“We have to address some stoppage work and also work on our one-on-one football.’’
Wheelahan said the Centrals’ younger players had been shining lights in recent weeks.
“James Ould is an under-18 who played his second game. Kayne Wilson is another youngster playing well. They give us a bit of energy. Hopefully they don’t fall into the bad habits of the senior guys.”
In other matches, Diggers Rest had an easy win over Rockbank, 16.14 (110) to 9.12 (66), after keeping the Rams goalless in two quarters.
The match was even early on, but the Burras kicked four goals to nil in the second quarter to open up a 29-point lead by the main break.
The Rams outscored the Burras in the third term. The teams had eight scoring shots each in the fourth quarter, but the Rams could manage
only eight behinds, allowing the Burras to kick away to a 44-point win.
Rupertswood, Riddell, Romsey and Lance- field were also on the winners’ list.
This week, all RDFL teams have a bye for interleague matches against the Alberton Football League at Romsey.
