Tara Murray
A team of home grown talent has guided Melton to its second Ballarat Football League premiership in three years.
The Bloods were able to hold off a determined East Point to walk away with the premiership cup on Saturday afternoon.
Of the Bloods squad, 20 of the players were classified as one point players and have come through the club’s pathway.
The other two, Lachlan Watkins and Brody Sullivan, both played juniors at the club and are from the Melton region.
Bloods coach Troy Scoble said a team of local players made it all the more special. He said it leaves a legacy and a clear message that footballers in Melton can get opportunities in their own backyard.
“It has been something that has been really important for us all year,” he said. “It’s when you get back to the club last night [Saturday], that’s when you certainly know the gravity of having a local footy side.
“It’s shown by seeing all of the families and their partners and you see how connected the entire group is.
“I was up there [the club] last [Saturday] night and all these exact people will be here next year.
“It was phenomenal in a competition like the Ballarat league you could have basically a full local side and win a premiership.”
Having made the semi finals last year, the Bloods playing under Scoble for the first time were keen to improve.
Scoble said you never imagine winning a premiership as there’s so much hard work and luck that goes into it.
Come grand final day, it was a game of momentum.
After a slow start, the Bloods took control of the game in the second quarter.
The Kangaroos continued to fight in the third quarter, but the Bloods had enough in the legs in the final quarter to seal the win, 11.6 (72)-7.13 (55)
Scoble said it was a real seesawing match.
“We didn’t start well,” he said. “East Point started the game a lot better than we did.
“I thought once we settled we had a fair bit of control of the game right through the middle stages and had a couple of opportunities where we probably could have got the margin out to where it would have put some doubt in East Point.
“We just didn’t convert our opportunities and left the door open and then in the third quarter, I thought East Point was terrific and they were the better team and really closed the gap and set it up for a big last quarter.”
Scoble said they were full of confidence that they could out run the Kangaroos in the final quarter.
The Kangaroos had needed to play overtime in the preliminary final to even get into the grand final.
Scoble said they spoke about as a group at half time they weren’t sure whether the Kangaroos would have the legs.
“Then the rain came and it might have helped us out as well,” Scoble said. “We were always confident that we would run the game out, which we were able to do.
“What hurt us a little bit was that we lost Lachie Watkins in the second quarter with a shoulder injury so that tested our rotations a bit. I think at the end of the day the margin was the right margin, a couple of goals.
“There’s only been a couple of goals in it for the whole year with us and east point, fitting result.”
Liam Carter kicked six goals for the Bloods and was awarded the AFL Victoria Country Medal.
Scoble said he had an unbelievable year.
“He is a much underrated player,” he said. “I think I knew through the finals series that he was really keen to let everyone know how good he is.
“I thought all our forwards were fantastic, we thought that was an area that we could exploit East Point and it was we just didn’t convert some of hte ones we would normally. He was terrific Liam, not only kicking the goals but his all round performance.”
Lachlan Philips in the back line long with Riley Walker and Harry Hanley were strong in defence.
Ryan Carter and Braedan Kight had an impact up forward, while the midfield broke even.
Jack Walker was awarded the Roy Edward Memorial Trophy.
Scoble said it was a pretty even team performance which they’ve had all year.
The coach said he expected the celebrations to go for a while.
