A season-defining three weeks looms for Ballarat Football League club Melton.
A bye last week was poor preparation as the Bloods take on top-six contenders Lake Wendouree, Sunbury and Ballarat before the month is over.
Melton coach Brad Murphy knows his side will need to win at least two of these clashes to maintain its charge towards finals. Anything less will put the Bloods’ September push in jeopardy.
“In the next three weeks, we’re playing against teams we’re going to be fighting with for the fourth, fifth and sixth spots on the ladder,” Murphy said.
“If we can get at least two of those as wins, we probably shore ourselves up to be in a good position to make the finals.
“If we can win three out of our next three then, obviously, that would be even better.”
Despite sitting second on the ladder, the Bloods have found it hard to gauge where they’re at during the season’s early stages.
In round one, Melton drew with cross-town rival Melton South, which had former AFL player Chris Tarrant making a one-off appearance in the Panthers’ forward line.
The following week, wet and windy conditions forced players to grind out a win against last year’s strugglers Sebastopol.
Melton has also had a number of injuries rob its line-up.
Prized off-season recruit James Mulligan is expected to miss another two matches with a hamstring injury.
In his absence, Cameron McCallum forced his way into the senior side after an eight-goal haul for the club’s reserves in round one.
“Cam has been good,” Murphy said. “In wet conditions, you wouldn’t think that would suit a big man. But he worked hard and competed really well against Sebastopol.
“We even threw him into the ruck in the second half and he was really good there. Obviously, it will be great to have James back when he is right to go,” Murphy said.
The Bloods expect to have vice-captain Ryan Davis return from injury this week after he was forced to watch from the sidelines against Sebastopol.
It has been a great start to the year for the Melton reserves, who are undefeated and on top of the ladder after two matches.
