A MATCH-saving tackle from Redan’s Brenton Riordan has ensured the Lions have begun their season with a victory.
Redan downed a resurgent Melton South by just two points at City Oval on Saturday afternoon, having led by as much as 37 points.
Redan had six individual goal-scorers at quarter-time, leaving the Panthers searching for answers.
It was a rejuvenated Melton South that took to the field in the second term.
Panthers coach Matthew Sutton decided to play skipper Mark Dransman deep forward and met with immediate results.
He kicked the first goal of the term and had a hand in the second, kicked by Col Simpkin.
Redan answered with a steadying goal late in the first half to Tyler O’Sullivan-Kirchner, his second for the day, ensuring Redan took a handy 23-point lead into half-time.
The third term had a bit of everything, with Melton South clearly starting the better of the sides and at one point shaving the margin to just 12 points, before Redan steadied.
The teams exchanged goals to start the final quarter before Melton South launched its comeback with three consecutive goals.
Redan tried to lock the game down, but a major from Anthony Cristofaro brought the margin to within less than a kick. It came down to a match-saving tackle from Riordan.
He won a free kick when the Panthers had players storming towards goal.
From there Redan was able to hold on for victory.
Melton South heads to MacPherson Park to play Melton Bloods under lights this Saturday.
— Ballarat Courier
BFL ROUND 1 SCOREBOARD
Bacchus Marsh 17.9 (111) d Sebastopol 12.11 (83)
GOALS
— Bacchus Marsh: M. Denham 4, D. Velden 3, T. Shea, R. Stuhldreier 2,
L. Wilson, D. Bonnici, C. Butt, L. Phyland, R. McNay, M. Suban.
Sebastopol: M. Powell 4, B. Carrigg 3, M. Cain 2, A. Brimacombe, B.
Trew, C. Dummett.
BEST
— Bacchus Marsh: D. Velden, R. McNay, M. Denham, T. Shea, M. Suban, C.
Millar. Sebastopol: D. Loudon, A. Brimacombe, B. Carrigg, T. Petersen,
M. Powell, B. Van Gils
Redan 13.15 (93) d Melton South 13.12 (90)
GOALS
— Redan: M. Phelps, D. Horbury, T. O’Sullivan-Kirchner 2, J. Dundon, M.
Hyden, D. Colbert, A. Barker, G. Bell, R. Waight, D. Chester. Melton
South: M. Dransman 3, J. Callus, R. Hickman, A. Cristofaro 2, D. Lawson,
C. Simpkin, S. Collis, R. Rich.
BEST
— Redan: B. Peace, G. Bell, S. Henning, J. Matthews, B. Dickinson, M.
Phelps. Melton South: J. Callus, S. Collis, M. Callus, M. Dransman, C.
Lawson, D. Lawson
North Ballarat City 24.13 (157) d East Point 6.12 (48), Ballarat 8.10 (58) d Lake Wendouree 7.13 (55)
Anzac Day game:East Point v Ballarat, Thursday 3.15pm
ROUND 2 (Saturday):Darley v Bacchus Marsh, Redan v Sunbury, Lake Wendouree v North Ballarat City, Melton v Melton South (7.15pm), Sebastopol bye.
