Melton has crushed cross town rivals Melton South in round 14 of the Ballarat Football Netball League.
The top of the table Bloods were 214 point winners in Saturday’s clash at Melton Recreation Reserve winning 3.4 (22)- 36.20 (236) against the bottom of the table Panthers.
As the Bloods seek to win back-to-back premierships its rivals go from bad to worse with the Panthers winless since round nine of last season.
Bloods coach Aaron Tymms said he was happy with the team’s performance but felt for the struggling Panthers.
“We’re happy with it but it’s disappointing to see South in that position, I know there’s a rivalry between the clubs but you don’t like seeing that,” he said.
“I thought we started the game really really well.. But I think we lost our way a little bit in the second half.
“But very, very pleasing to win by a good margin.”
The Bloods shared the scoring around with 14 players amongst the goal kickers.
League leading goal scorer Ryan Carter backed up last week’s seven goal performance by booting nine, however he sustained a head knock that saw him concussed and will be sidelined for next week’s home game against fifth placed Sunbury.
Although Tymms said Brenton Payne will be able to fill the void left by Carter.
“He’ll have to rest up this week then we have the bye, so he’ll have a good rest and then hopefully be right for Darley in a couple of weeks time,” he said.
“We’ve unfortunately had about three or four changes every game, we haven’t really had much consistency in our side this year.”
Payne and skipper Braedan Knight were amongst the Bloods best, kicking six and four goals respectively.
Forward pocket Adrian Monitto was named the Bloods best player scoring two goals.
The Panthers three goals came from, John Armstrong, Phillip Hoyland and Jayden Smoors.
The Panthers come up against the ninth ranked Bacchus Marsh, which is coming off a bye this round.
Darley were victorious in their clash against Lake Wendouree at Darley Park with skipper Brett Bewley kicking four goals in a best on ground performance.
The Devils won 21.17 (143) to 4.8 (32) which sees them hold onto third spot with a game in hand.
Forward Will Johnson scored three, while the Devils leading goal scorer Billy Myers added a goal to his growing tally.
Midfielder Shane Page booted two goals as he continued his streak of being placed in the best players. He has only not been named amongst the sides best once this season, which was in their massive win against the Panthers in round six.
Harper Sercombe
