Tara Murray
Melton found some much needed form against East Point in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.
While the Bloods had secured finals weeks ago and will finish on top of the ladder, the Bloods know they have work to do.
After their most disappointing performance of the season the week before against the Sunbury Lions, the Bloods were keen to bounce back against the Kangaroos.
After an even first quarter, East Point controlled the second team to led by 23 points at half time.
The Bloods found another gear in the third quarter kicking 14 goals to two to have the game on their terms.
They were able to finish it off in the final quarter to seal the 20.7 (127)-12.12 (84).
Bloods coach Aaron Tymms said he was a lot happier than the previous week.
“It was chalk and cheese,” he said. “Against Sunbury we were pretty flat. While they were good, we played like we didn’t have a care in the world.
“I don’t know whether it was mindset or lack a lapse of concentration.
“So we needed to get that win on the board and get some good form. It was a good improvement.
“Take out the third quarter it was a lot closer than it looks.”
Tymms said against the Kangaroos there was a goal scoring end, despite their not being much of a breeze.
He said both sides had moments of dominance on the scoreboard.
“The first quarter was even, before the second quarter they were able to kick a few,” he said.
“We were able to make the most of our opportunities in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the rain came and they had a lot of inside 50s.
“We put them under pressure and it was really hard to score.”
Kyle Borg and Lachlan Hickey kicked three goals a piece for the Bloods. Tymms said those two were the standouts on the day.
The Bloods face bottom side Lake Wendouree in the final round of the season.
They will then face the winner of Sebastopol and Ballarat in a qualifying final the following week.
Tymms said they needed to continue focusing on the way they want to play and not drop back into bad habits.
The Bloods are set to get a boost, with full forward Ryan Carter set to return. Tymms said he could have played on Saturday, but they didn’t want to risk it.
Meanwhile, Bacchus Marsh’s finals hopes are over after losing to Redan, 20.20 (140)-7.6 (48).
Redan broke the game open in the second quarter and were able to kick away after that.
Serafino Crea and Tyson Shea were named the Cobras best.
The loss leaves the Cobras in eighth spot heading into the final round, with the top six sorted.
Darley which had the bye sits in fifth entering finals.
Meanwhile on Saturday, Melton South had a tough day out against North Ballarat, losing 26.13 (169)-3.6 (24).
Billy Lloyd was the Panthers best on the tough day.
