Tara Murray
Melton South is set for a roller coaster ride this year in the Ballarat Football League.
After the departure of a number of key players in the off season, the Panthers have decided to go with youth this season.
Co-coach Jason Hamilton admits there will be some tough times this season, like in round one against Melton when they were heavily beaten.
“We had six or seven players make their senior debuts yesterday [on Saturday],”he said. “We have a really young side this year.
“The average age is 20-year-old. We will have some days like yesterday and there will be days that we will play to our full potential.
“We’re going to go with youth. After losing a few quality players we’ve gone down the track of putting time into the youth.”
Hamilton said they had a number of young players that were already playing key roles in the side.
Captain Cody Chapman, Rhys Lee and Riley Theo are three that he mentioned that he was looking forward to seeing on the field.
Another one Hamilton is looking forward to seeing is 16-year-old Lachie Pritchard, who made his senior debut in round one.
Pritchard is the son of former coach Heath Pritchard. Hamilton said he and Heath touched base regularly about the side and he had provided valuable advice heading into the season.
On Saturday, the Panthers were no match for reigning premiers Melton in the local derby at MacPherson Park.
The Bloods jumped out of the blocks and led 8.7 (55)- 0.0 (0) at quarter time.
They were able to build throughout on the way to a 27.22 (184)-3.5 (23).
Hamilton said the Bloods were just way too strong.
“It didn’t go our way from start to finish,” he said. “Full credit to the Bloods, they are the yardstick of the competition.
“They put a lot of pressure on us and we succumbed to that pressure.”
It was all single goal kickers for the Panthers.
Hamilton said full back Phillip Hoyland was their best. Lee, Jarrod Bibby and Chapman and Pritchard were the best players.
For the Bloods, Liam Carter and Brody Sullivan kicked three goals apiece as eight players scored multiple goals.
Lachlan Walker and Lachlan Watkins were named the side’s best.
The Panthers this week face East Point.
Hamilton said it would be another big test for them.
“We want to be competitive every game,” he said. “We learnt a lot and we want to put that into next week.”
Around the grounds, Darley got a first up win against Ballarat.
After a low scoring start, the Devils hit the front in the second quarter and were able to stay there for the rest of the day, winning 10.11 (71)-3.12 (31).
Brett Bewley and Dylon Bishop kicked two goals each, with Shane Page named their best.
It was a tough start for Bacchus Marsh, losing to Sebastopol, 19.24 (138)-2.5 (17).
