MELTON Centrals slumped to their fifth straight Riddell District Football League loss on Saturday, going down to the undefeated Riddell by 35 points.
It was the Bombers’ eighth straight win of the season, and they overcame wintry conditions and a dogged Centrals outfit to triumph 10.4 (74) to 6.3 (39).
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Riddell set up the win with a commanding opening term, booting five goals as it held the Centrals scoreless.
With a slight breeze blowing and conditions wet and heavy, it was the ideal start for Riddell, while the Centrals were ineffective with the ball.
But they turned the contest on its head in the second term, kicking five straight goals to close the gap to 12 points.
Riddell had plenty of chances to take a significant lead into the final break but couldn’t convert, kicking a measly 1.6.
Centrals goaled to stay within three goals at three-quarter-time, sensing they could win their first game since April 27.
But after a number of stoppages early in the quarter, Riddell finally broke the stranglehold with a goal, extending the margin back over 20 points midway through the term.
The Bombers kicked another two and were able to hold the Centrals goalless and come away with a comfortable win.
Centrals coach Brian Wheelahan said mental lapses were costing his side dearly.
“Our best is good enough to compete, but it’s a matter of putting in for the duration of quarters and games,” he said.
“We know Riddell are a quality outfit – it wouldn’t surprise me if they won it – so for us to bounce back after the first quarter and still be in it at three-quarter-time was good.
‘‘If we’re on and we don’t have any mental lapses, we can compete with the best sides.”
Elsewhere, Brent Tuckey had yet another day out as Diggers Rest had a comfortable 66-point win over the winless Woodend-Hesket.
Tuckey booted eight goals, taking his season tally to 40 from just six games.
He has kicked 26 goals in the past three weeks.
While he was the focal point, it wasn’t all Tuckey at Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve. Steven Fogarty was again best on ground as the Burras set up the win with a seven-goal-to-two first half. In the other matches, Sunbury Kangaroos beat Macedon by 64 points, Broadford edged Wallan by eight,0 and Rupertswood beat Kilmore by 58.
Round 10, Saturday 2pm: Woodend-Hesket v Kilmore, Wallan v Sunbury Kangaroos, Melton Centrals v Rupertswood, Riddell v Broadford, Romsey v Rockbank, Macedon v Lancefield; Diggers Rest bye
