MELTON was left pondering ‘what might have been’ after it outplayed Ballarat for three quarters only to fall a point short at MacPherson Park on Sunday.
A rushed behind in the dying minutes was ultimately the difference between the two sides as Ballarat won 12.8 (80) to 10.19 (79).
Melton remains 10th on the Ballarat Football League ladder (1-9), ahead of winless Sebastopol (0-10) but missed the chance to boost its own chances of avoiding the wooden spoon and doing a favour for teams chasing the sixth-placed Swans.
Ballarat’s kicking of nine goals to Melton’s two in the third quarter, swinging it from 22 points down to 24 up, proved the difference.
Melton coach Bob Heaney was perplexed by his players’ lapse in concentration after half-time.
“I really don’t know what happened,” he said. “We spoke about playing four quarters during the week and even during the game.
“It’s frustrating because they are the games we have to win and we have to find ways to do that.
“Our supporters were happy with the performance, but we can’t be. And we can’t carry passengers, because we had a few today.”
In a first half in which both teams struggled to consistently hit targets in the blustery conditions, Melton, buoyed by its first win the previous week, looked likely to cause an upset.
Darren Haby continued with his good form by providing a focal point up forward. He finished with three goals but would have had more had he had kicked straight.
The Swans were led by Braden Deary, who finished with five goals, including three in the third term, and Daniel Kennedy, whose pace across half-back and the wing was critical.
Ryan Davis, John Prudek and Daniel Walker were also among the better Melton players.
— Ballarat Courier
