AS they fight their way up the Riddell District Football League ladder, Melton Centrals have created a new forward-line luxury for themselves by turning to midfielder Chris Robertson.
Robertson was thrown into the forward line against Woodend Hesket on Saturday because chief goalkicker Adam Fenton, who has booted 23 goals in eight games, was out suspended.
The loss of a gun forward would frustrate many coaches, but Centrals’ Brian Wheelahan saw a chance for innovation, and Robertson responded with four goals in a best-on-ground performance as Centrals 11.11 (77) beat the Hawks 9.7 (61) by 16 points at McPherson Park.
Click on the image below for our gallery of the big game.
“Chris was terrific,” Wheelahan said.
“He’s just a great user of the footy. It was his best game for the club since coming over from Deer Park.”
Wheelahan found winners all across the ground for Centrals. “We had 22 contributors on Saturday. And having (captain) Kane Bulleen back from a hand injury was a huge plus. He just demands respect.”
Despite sitting 10 points outside the four, Wheelahan said a finals appearance was still a reality. “Finals are still absolutely on the cards. But the next five weeks are massive for us.”
Woodend Hesket was brave in defeat. Although the loss was its eighth in a row, president Jock Allan still found positives.
It was a lack of concentration, not skill, in the second and third quarters that proved the difference in the tight encounter, he said.
“The game was ours for the taking, but we allowed them some easy goals.”
The Hawks haven’t tasted victory since an 18-point win over Rockbank in round one.
“There were a few times the ball came into their forward line and we were two steps behind, not side by side,” Allan said.
The club’s emphasis is on player development this season, and Allan praised the efforts of Ric Cerminara and Max Ambler.
They had transformed themselves from reserves players into the first two picked each week, he said.
Versatile Jesse Sheppard produced another great game, kicking three goals. “He’s a star,” Allan said. “He took some telling marks in the back line late in the game. You can put him pretty much anywhere.”
Allan said that with a bunch of young Hawks either still eligible to play under-18 football or finding their feet in their first senior season, success wouldn’t be measured on the scoreboard.
“Our season won’t be judged by wins and losses. It’s all about individual improvement and teaching our boys the technical side of football.
“We’ve put 40 players through the seniors this year. There’s going to be plenty of swings and roundabouts.
“We’ve got a bunch of kids who are all good mates and have been through school together, so hopefully we can keep them together over the next few years and build ourselves into a real competitive unit.”
In other matches, Diggers Rest 14.16 (100) beat Lancefield 4.4 (28) by 72 points, Wallan 20.12 (132) had a comfortable 44-point victory over Macedon 13.10 (88), Sunbury Kangaroos 13.17 (95) were too strong for Rockbank 3.3 (21), Riddell 17.18 (120) flogged Kilmore 3.5 (23) and Romsey 25.15 (165) gave Broadford 5.5 (35) a lesson.
This week: Sunbury Kangaroos v Macedon (Eric Boardman Reserve); Broadford v Melton Central (Harley Hammond Reserve); Kilmore v Woodend Hesket (J J Clancy Reserve); Lancefield v Rockbank (Lancefield Park); Riddell v Wallan (Riddells Creek Reserve); Romsey v Diggers Rest (Romsey Park)
