A blistering second quarter helped Melton South to a comfortable win over Sebastopol in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.
The Panthers recovered from a five-point quarter-time deficit to produce some of their best football.
The young Melton South outfit was firing on all cylinders, booting six second-quarter goals to go into the main break with the lead and momentum.
And having gained the advantage, the Panthers maintained their high level of pressure across the next three quarters, powering to a 12.14 (86) – 8.8 (56) win.
Michael Callus was a standout for Melton South and was named his side’s best player.
He was well supported by Lachlan Watkins and Anthony Hibbert.
Up forward, Marc Dransman competed hard and booted three goals, while Ryan Holzer and Jordan Sinclair kicked two each. For Sebastopol, Rowan Marshall and Anthony Smith combined for four goals.
Saturday’s win is the second of the season for the Panthers and lifts them into ninth place on the BFL ladder.
It will be a tough task for Melton South this weekend when it takes on local rival and third-placed Darley.
The Devils will be smarting after a disappointing loss to Lake Wendouree at the weekend.
In a potential finals preview, Darley went down 14.18 (102) – 6.16 (52).
Despite the loss, the Devils are still in a great position to maintain third come the end of the season.
Darley is four points ahead of fourth with a game in hand.
Also in the BFL, Bacchus Marsh is back in the top six following a 15-point win over Sunbury.
The victory was set up by a brilliant second quarter, in which the Cobras booted eight goals in a dominant 30 minutes.
It allowed Bacchus Marsh to turn a 10-point deficit into a 14-point lead by half-time.
With the teams evenly matched, that passage of play proved the difference as Bacchus Marsh held on for the 13.13 (91)-10.11 (76) victory.
The Cobras are now locked inside the top six by a game.
In other round 15 matches, East Point defeated Ballarat 15.13 (103)-7.7 (49), and Redan was too good for North Ballarat City, winning 13.10 (88)-8.13 (61).
