SPEARHEAD playing coaches Matt Sutton and Dan Jordan went head-to-head in a Ballarat Football League shoot-out that fell East Point’s way at Melton South’s expense on Saturday.
The key forwards kicked eight goals each as East Point won 19.11 (125) to 17.9 (111) at Melton Recreation Reserve.
PICTURE GALLERY: Melton South v East Point
The loss was another blow to South’s top six chances, with the Panthers (4-6) left sitting at seventh, a game behind Ballarat (5-5).
After going goal for goal through the first half, the class of East Point began to show with players such as Jason Delaney, Toby Boyle and Brad Whittaker leading the way.
With scores level at quarter-time, the Roos were able to kick six goals to the Panthers’ four in the second quarter to break out to a nine-point lead by half-time.
The third term was similar to the second, East Point kicking six goals to Melton South’s four as the East Point midfield, led by Delaney, Boyle and Chris Banwell, started to get on top.
With a strong performance by Jordan and Tom Cashin, the visitors were able to open up a 23-point advantage at the final change.
Shaun White continued to battle hard for the Panthers throughout the day, an effort that was praised by his coach.
East Point had to defend well in order to withstand a strong finish by the Panthers.
Coach Sutton put Melton South’s loss down to a third-quarter lapse.
“We had to start chasing the deficit back, which was always going to be tough,” he said.
“We knew it would be a hard-fought contest and it was just a matter of who worked harder.”
— Michael Hankin, Ballarat Courier
