Melton South got a true indication of where it needs to get to if it is going to match it with the Ballarat Football League top sides.
The Panthers won three of their four matches before the interleague bye and started their climb up the ladder.
Looking to start the next phase of the season on a winning note, the Panthers faced a full-strength Bacchus Marsh side at the weekend.
For most of the game nothing separated last year’s wooden spooners and premiers. It was only periods late in the third quarter and early in the fourth that proved the difference.
The Cobras kicked eight goals in a row to turn a seven-point margin into a match-winning lead. The teams traded goals late in the final quarter, but the Cobras won 20.13 (133)-11.11 (77).
Panthers co-coach Sean Triplett said the end result wasn’t a true indication of the closeness of the match.
“It wasn’t a nine-goal game and they’ll say the same,” he said.
“At the 17th minute of the third quarter, we were seven points down. A couple of decisions went their way and they got on a run.
“It was out to 25 points in a few minutes and we couldn’t score for six to seven minutes. In the end, they used the ball better than us.”
Brendan Fevola kicked five goals for the Panthers, but it was the Cobras’ Jarrah Maksymow who was the game’s main goal scorer. He kicked seven goals.
Nick Kommer continued his good form and was named the Panthers’ best.
Triplett said that despite the loss, there was plenty of upside for the Panthers.
They still had at least three players out of their best side missing, including Matt Notman and Tayte Pears. He said it was hoped they would all return next week.
Triplett said fingers were crossed that Munir El Houli, Anthony Hibbert and Tom Derickx, who all suffered injuries on Saturday, would also be fit.
The Panthers face Darley this week, with the Devils undefeated so far this season.
It will be battle of the former Carlton teammates in the coaches box with Fevola going head-to-head with Heath Scotland.
Triplett said that after losing the Cobras game, the Panthers needed to bounce back.
“We wanted to be 3-1 after the first four games and we were,” he said.
“We want to go 3-1 in this block before we have another bye. We wanted to win against both Darley and Bacchus Marsh.
“We know we will keep getting better as the season goes on,”
In other games, Darley had a massive win against Sebastopol.
It was the Devils’ game from start to finish, with the scoreline reading 19.16 (130)-5.9 (39).
Brian Graham kicked seven goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Melton’s tough season continued with a 13.12 (90)-7.9 (51) loss to Lake Wendouree.
The Lakers outscored the Bloods in every quarter.
Jordan Kight kicked four goals for the Bloods.
