Tara Murray
Melton sent a message to the rest of the Ballarat Football League competition, doing a demolition job on the Sunbury Lions on Saturday.
Playing each other for the second time in three rounds, most people would have expected a close match up like last time.
Instead, supporters watched on as the Bloods came away with a 17.14 (116)-5.9 (39) win.
Bloods coach Troy Scoble said it wasn’t the type of match they were expecting.
“You never do [expect] playing one of the top teams,” he said of the margin. “Sometimes you get the momentum and are able to cash in.
“We seemed to be able to do that yesterday [Saturday]. We thought we would be playing a similar game to what we had two weeks ago.”
Scoble said the focus for them leading into the match was getting a good start, having not had a good record coming back after breaks.
On the scoreboard the Bloods did and they were able to build on that momentum across the next three quarters.
The Lions didn’t kick a goal until the third quarter.
Scoble said they were able to get the momentum early and that was the key.
“We played in our front half for most of the time,” he said. “We competed well and getting clearances and getting the ball forward.
“We took our chances when we had them. Sunbury had their chances, they had a lot in the first half.”
Scoble said they tightened up their defence after quarter time, feeling they were a little bit off in the first quarter.
“They got the majority of their goals from free kicks,” he said. “I was happy with our defensive aspect of the game.”
Braedan Kight kicked five goals while his younger brother Jordan Kight, chipped in with four.
Scoble said both really cashed in and were among the best.
He said Jack Walker and Jaycob Hickey were also good as were the defenders.
The win keeps the Bloods on top of the table and all but secures them a finals spot with six rounds to go.
Scoble said that was the first box they wanted to tick this season.
“As the season goes on its how you go against the best sides in the competition that will decide where you finish,” he said.
“We play three of the top five sides in the back half. Sunbury was the first one. You at least want to play well as it’s very important.”
The Bloods this Saturday face North Ballarat.
Scoble said they were looking forward to the opportunity to head up to Ballarat and play against a different type of side.
North Ballarat comes into the match on the back of a loss to Darley.
The Devils trailed early before managing to hold on to win, 9.13 (67)-8.7 (55).
Matthew Brett and Brett Bewley were named the Devils best.
Elsewhere, Bacchus Marsh suffered a 12.12 (84)-7.13 (55) loss to Lake Wendouree.
Melton South had the bye.
