By Tara Murray
Melton South is back on the winners list after more than 1000 days as it accounted for Melton Centrals in the Riddell District Football League.
Having made the move from the Ballarat Football League in the off season, the Panthers only needed two rounds in the RDFL to get a win on the board.
It was the side’s first win since beating Lake Wendouree after the siren in June 2022.
Coach Travis Hodgson said it was a reward for all the players and supporters that have stuck around.
“It has been a long time coming,” he said. “John Kovarik had played in all 40 games we had lost.
“After the game it was nice to see the people who turn up week in, week out. It was a pretty exciting day.”
Hodgson said they took some confidence into the game with Centrals after a solid start against Diggers Rest.
He said having come from a higher ranked league, they felt their best could stack up.
“We gave ourselves a chance,” he said. “We think we are more suited to this competition.
“We had to be a bit bullish, but we knew there were a lot of unknowns having not played some of these sides before.”
On the scoreboard, the Panthers led all day.
At the final break they were in front by 20 points, so it would be a test of nerves.
The Panthers were able to finish strongly to come away with a 14.18 (102)-8.10 (56) win.
Hodgson said there were a couple of key areas that he thought got them over the line.
“I thought we were the better side,” he said. “They won the inside and we won the outside.
“Statistically it was pretty even, but we had 14 more scoring shots and 18 more inside 50s.
“We just couldn’t make the most of it. There were some shots that we should have kicked.”
Alec Goodson kicked five for the Panthers.
Sam Darley was best on ground having had 52 possessions. Hodgson said Broden Collins was the other real standout across the four quarters.
Hodgson said they were happy to be 1-1 after the first two rounds. Former Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett is yet to play as well.
The Panthers have Easter off before facing newcomers, the Gisborne Giants, in round three.
Hodgson said it was a bit of an unknown, but one they would take some confidence into.
“They are a team that is finding their feet and we don’t look any further than that.”
For Centrals, Bradley Layton, Evan Donoghue and Jake Armistead were named their best.
Diggers Rest is undefeated after two rounds with a big win against an inaccurate Romsey.
The Burras led throughout the first half, with the margin five goals at half time.
The Redbacks had their opportunities in the third quarter but could only kick seven points as the Burras increased the lead.
It was an even last quarter, with the Burras winning it by one point, to come away with a 12.8 (80)-5.12 (42) win.
Brodie Meyers kicked six goals for the Burras, with Jamie Anderson and Meyers named their best.
