Melton South paid for not adjusting to the slippery conditions against East Point in its Ballarat Football League clash on Saturday.
After winning their first game of the season last week, the Panthers were primed to make it two in a row in what they saw as a very gettable game.
But a slow start cost them dearly, with East Point winning 15.13 (103) to 8.8 (56).
Panthers football manager Shaun Geddes said it was a disappointing performance.
“We got closer in the third quarter to still be in the game, before they kicked away in the last quarter,” he said.
“It was a bit slippery and we tended to fumble the ball. They were much cleaner and were able to move the ball forward a lot easier.
“Our tackling was good for some stages of the game, but when it wasn’t we were put under a lot of pressure.”
Geddes said the side’s inability to move the ball cleanly into the forward line was costly, while East Point players were double- and triple-teaming coach and star full forward Matthew Sutton.
“We had no one effective at ground level, while Dylan Wright kicked four goals in that role for East Point,” he said.
Sutton kicked three goals, while Geddes said Shaun White was clearly the best for the losers in a defensive role.
“Craig Searle, our ruckman, also battled manfully all day.”
This week, the Panthers face Darley.
Elsewhere, Melton lost to Ballarat 15.13 (103)-8.8 (56).
