THE Kangaroos won by 18 points, but fans of both Melton Centrals and Sunbury walked away from MacPherson Park reasonably happy on Saturday.
It was Melton’s third consecutive loss after a 4-0 start to the year, but the Blues weren’t out of the contest until late in the match.
CLICK HERE for our picture gallery from the big game.
Sunbury, as so often in recent years, found another level that its opponent couldn’t quite match.
Leading by 12 points at the final break, the Kangaroos kicked the only goal of an intense final term through Mitch Streiff to win 12.14 (86) to 10.8 (68).
But it was Centrals, desperate to hit back after a 12-point loss to Lancefield in the previous match, who made the early break and they held a five-point lead at quarter-time.
Against an opponent many expect to be playing off for back-to-back flags, Melton moved the ball with precision and pace, proving their best can match it with the league’s best.
But maintaining that over four quarters has proved to be a challenge, as capitulations against Romsey and Lancefield showed.
Much credit must also be given to the Kangaroos. Still not at full strength — coach Chris Meacham again pulled on the boots and was a popular target up forward — they still have enough class to lift when needed and it’s no surprise nine of their players were selected in the initial interleague squad. Streiff was terrific, as were Daniel Gregory down back — Melton’s power forward Adam Fenton was kept to just three goals — and Tierone Cuffe and Tom Borg.
Meacham said his team would be back to full strength for the round seven clash with Lancefield.
“When you come to Melton and walk away with a win you’ve done well; it doesn’t matter how you win,” he said.
“I’ve been pretty impressed with some of the kids we’ve brought up the last couple of weeks with players out.
“We’ll rest up with interleague this week, come back against Lancefield and then wait for the Romseys and Riddells to come at us.”
Centrals coach Brian Wheelahan was pleased with his side’s effort. “I thought our endeavour for about 90 per cent of the game was terrific,” he said.
Elsewhere, Rockbank is on of the league’s trio of winless teams after a seven-point loss to Wallan.
Rockbank led by seven points at the last change but kicked just one goal in the final quarter to Wallan’s three to go down 12.11 (83) to 11.10 (76).
At Macedon, visiting Diggers Rest kept the Cats goalless in the first and final quarters to win 14.7 (91)-6.7 (43).
Rupertswood 22.16 (148) beat Broadford 11.9 (75); Riddell 16.15 (111) beat Lancefield 8.4 (52); and Romsey 22.13 (145) beat Kilmore 2.5 (17).
Gallery online: For more action shots go to sunburyweekly.com.au
