Melton hasn’t played in finals for at least 10 years in the Ballarat Football League, but Saturday’s match against East Point was a preview of what may be coming.
The match was a must-win for both sides, with the Kangaroos holding sixth spot and the Bloods one of three sides trying to replace them.
Neither side gave an inch at the weekend and while the Kangaroos looked to take control of the match with a 20-point lead, the Bloods didn’t give up.
The Bloods responded, held on to a three-quarter time lead and went on to win 13.8 (86)-11.12 (78).
Bloods’ coach Brad Murphy said they pumped up the match like it was a final.
“It was a mini final with a loss meaning the end of our finals hopes,” he said.
“Speaking with the older statesmen from the club, they can’t remember the last time we beat East Point in East Point.
“Good players stand up in big games and everyone played well.”
Murphy said there were two clear standouts for the Bloods – Connor Griffiths and Braedan Kight.
He said both players were becoming A-grade players.
“Braedan has kicked 14 goals against East Point this season,” Murphy said. “We had a chat during the week about going back to playing the way Braedan plays.
“He did that and was unstoppable. He kicked six goals in the first half.
“Connor is a 19-year-old and he had over 40 possessions. We were plus 12 in the stoppages and he was a major reason for that.”
The win was even more satisfying as the Bloods were playing with just 20 men after quarter-time.
Jacob Grech suffered a nasty hit in the first minutes of the game, while Jaycob Hickey had little impact after coming off injured.
Both are likely to miss next week, Murphy said.
“We were down on rotations.
“We had a couple of players with niggles who were standing in forward pockets just to give other players a break.”
It doesn’t get any easier for the Bloods, with a clash with arch rival Melton South. Adding to the contest, both sides are equal on points.
A loss would all but end either side’s finals chances.
Murphy said they would treat that match and the final round match against North Ballarat City, the other team fighting for sixth spot in finals, as finals-like matches.
“The weather is meant to be OK and we should have a massive crowd,” Murphy said of Saturday’s clash with Melton South.
“We’ll be asking everyone to get down there. We’re ready to go and still hurting from our round one loss.
“We want retribution and want to knock them off.”
The Panthers will come into the game after a week off with the bye. Bacchus Marsh also had the bye.
In other results, Darley accounted for Sunbury Lions, 13.6 (84)-9.8 (62). The result moves the Devils back into third position.
