By Tara Murray
Melton Thoroughbreds have kept their finals hopes alive with two crucial wins in Big V men’s division.
With virtually every match a mini-final for the Thoroughbreds on the run home, coming away with the points from both weekend matches was important.
But Thoroughbreds coach Joe Hooks said that while the results were pleasing, focus would quickly turn to the next game – against Pakenham Warriors.
“We have to win the rest of the games this season if we’re to have a run at the play-offs,” he said.
“I don’t want the team to be satisfied with those two wins.”
Hooks said the players had stepped up in defence, making the Thoroughbreds different in an offence-first league.
On Saturday night, the Thoroughbreds beat RMIT Redbacks 79-78 in a game Hooks said had everything.
“I don’t even know how to describe it,” he said. “It went down to the last seconds and RMIT is a good team. Everyone was talking to each other and no one was backing down.”
The Redbacks had their chances late to take the lead after the Thoroughbreds gave away a tech foul, but Melton held on.
Hooks was thrilled by the job done on Stephen Coffey, the best point guard in the competition. Carl Davis got handed that role.
Chris Johnson top scored for the Thoroughbreds with 26 points.
On Sunday, the Thoroughbreds backed it up against the Maccabi Warriors, winning 94-80.
Hooks said they looked tired at the start of the game, but got going towards the end.
“It was a really good sign for us,” he said. “We had a couple of players injured as well.”
Hooks was full of praise for the work of Jackson Jones across the whole weekend.
He said Jones, who is part of the club’s youth league side, had a spot in the senior team next year if he wanted it.
The Thoroughbreds are seventh and three wins outside the top four.
This week they will face the Pakenham Warriors and Camberwell Dragons.
Hooks knows it will be another challenging weekend.
“Last time we played Camberwell, we pushed them all the way in overtime, so it will be a tough one,” he said.
“Pakenham beat us at our place last time. It’s going to be tough and we’re going to be there to fight it out like usual.”
The Thoroughbreds women’s side had a big 69-48 division 2 win against North East Bushrangers.
The Melton Thoroughbreds did most of the damage in the second half after leading by four points at half-time.
Taylah Lea top scored with 21 points.
The Thoroughbreds are seventh, one game outside the top four.
