Melton Centrals’ tough period continues in the Riddell District Football League, with a big loss to Rupertswood on Saturday.
Centrals were competitive around the contest for much of the game, but couldn’t add scoreboard pressure to keep Rupertswood accountable.
The young Centrals side fell away in the second half, losing 16.20 (116)-4.3 (27).
The loss is Centrals fourth in a row, against sides which are all in the top six.
Centrals’ coach Mathew Sproule said they always knew where they sat this season.
“We knew we would have a tough five week period,” he said.
“We were 3-1 to start the season, but we had a favourable draw and made the most of it.
“For us it’s about being competitive around the footy and good in the contest and we’re doing that in patches.
“We’ve had a stack load of injuries as well in the last three weeks, but that’s no excuse.”
He said against Sunbury Kangaroos, Rupertswood and Wallan they had been in the contest around the ground, while not necessarily on the scoreboard.
Sproule said Centrals focus continues to be on the future. They’ve blooded two under-16s, Jarrod Spry and Lachlan Phillips, in recent weeks and both were among the side’s best in their loss to Diggers Rest last month.
They’ve also had four under-18 players playing in the senior team. He said they would all continue to get opportunities this season.
“We’re trying to get as many games into them as possible,” he said.
“Our juniors haven’t really been there the last few years and we want to go back to the club being built on juniors and not recruiting players.
“They’ve been really competitive at times.
“We’ll keep bringing in the kids who will be our nucleus in three to four years.”
Sproule said they would continue to work on the key elements which will benefit them long term.
“For three quarters we’re playing well in games and you can’t knock the effort,” he said.
“We’ve got to improve our ball use as we turn it over a lot. It’s something we’re in the process of doing.
Centrals’ task doesn’t get any easier, with a match up against the undefeated Macedon side this week.
In other matches, Diggers Rest had no issues against Broadford.
The Burras restricted Broadford to just one goal for the first three quarters and two for the game, meanwhile having 51 scoring shots of their own.
The Burras won 29.22 (196)-2.2 (14).
Rockbank was left to rue a poor fourth quarter against Woodend-Hesket. The Rams led by 18 points at three-quarter time, but the Hawks kicked eight goals to one in the final quarter to win 13.15 (93)-9.12 (66).
