One finals drought ended and a finals streak came to an end when Melton beat the Sunbury Lions in Ballarat Football League on Saturday.
For the Bloods, the win means they will play finals for the first time since 2007 after several near misses in recent years.
A lot was on the line for both the Bloods and the Lions, with both looking to seal finals spots.
The Bloods’ 13.12 (90)-5.7 (37) victory means the Lions won’t play finals for the first time since they joined the BFL.
Bloods coach Aaron Tymms said he was spent after the match.
“It’s been 11 years since we played finals,” he said.
“And it’s 14 years since we’ve beaten Sunbury. I think the last time we beat them was in the 2005 grand final. I knew it was going to be pretty tough. They had to win to keep their season alive.”
The Bloods led at every break by at least three goals, but weren’t able to break the game open until the last quarter.
They kicked six goals to two in the final term to run away with the game. Tymms said it was an ugly win played in a typical MacPherson Park wind, which made the win all the more worthy.
He said they were able to find different options up forward, including some unlikely goalscorers. Riley Walker, who kicked his first senior goal, was among them. Blake Souter kicked three goals and Jaycob Hickey and Braedan Kight kicked two each.
Tymms said that in an even spread, Lachlan Walker, Hickey and Connor Griffiths were his best players.
The win seals up a finals spot for the Bloods with one round remaining. It’s a new feeling for many of the players and coaching group.
“I’ve never coached a senior final,” Tymms said.
“We’re a pretty young group – we have maybe only two guys who have played senior footy finals.”
He said they would use the experience of Matt Denham and Ben Archard, who have not only played in finals, but also been part of premiership sides.
The Bloods enter the final round sitting in fourth.
They will face Bacchus Marsh, which is on the same number of points, on Saturday.
Tymms said they were keen to get one over Bacchus Marsh, the only team that has really smashed the Bloods this year.
“In the last round, we could be playing for second or third,” he said.
“Either way, we’re pretty happy to get through. It’s reward for the effort the team has put in.
“Bacchus Marsh is the only team that had pantsed us and embarrassed us, so we owe them.”
The Cobras sealed their finals spot with a 8.11 (59)-6.14 (50) win against Sebastopol.
Melton South fell short against Lake Wendouree, losing 12.17 (89)-6.4 (40), while Darley was downed 14.10 (94)-8.15 (63) by North Ballarat City.
