WAUBRA eked out all it had to open its premiership defence with a win. But the Roos required a seven-goals-to-one third term to wear down the much-improved Ballan, which showed some promising signs under new coach Darron Batties despite going down by 10 points.
While the day belonged to Waubra, which unfurled last season’s three premiership flags, many came to witness the debut of Ballan recruit Mark Williams.
And while it wasn’t an outstanding performance from the Hawthorn premiership player, he did threaten to take the match away from the Roos in the second term. It was here he booted four of his six goals as the Blues raced away to a 24-point lead at half time.
Waubra coach Shane Skontra’s good, old-fashioned half-time spray clicked his team into gear, and the Roos set about wrestling back the momentum with spearhead Lee Brown and midfielder Nick Sullivan key to the resurgence.
The Roos booted the first five goals of the third term to take a seven-point lead midway through the quarter and, despite a steadier from Williams after a dubious 50m penalty, the Roos finished off with two more majors to hold a 14-point buffer at the final change.
But Ballan refused to lie down.
Paul Dodds extended the home team’s lead inside four minutes, but the Blues attacked with real purpose and closed the margin through a running goal to Aaron Speak.
But Ballan’s relentless pressure failed to reap too many more rewards and when Tony Mirabella slotted his third goal 16 minutes into the term, the result was effectively sealed.
Brown opened the season with a bang, booting six goals in a standout display up forward for the Roos, while James Rushton and Jason Allen stood up in defence when the Blues attacked.
For Ballan, it was so close but yet so far. Batties was pleased to have pushed the reigning premiers to within two goals, but was frustrated at a wasted opportunity. “We got through the game unscathed, which was a bonus, (but) they are filthy on themselves for letting the chance slip and they won’t do that this week,” he said.
Aside from Williams, forward recruit Anthony Kitchen did well on debut with three goals; new faces Anthony Martello and Todd Lawrie won plenty of the ball; and Christopher Despirt led from the front in defence.
– Ballarat Courier
BALLARAT FNL SCOREBOARD
Melton South 10.14 (74) lt Darley 13.18 (96)
Goals – Melton South: M. Sutton 5, M. Sullivan, F. Holzer 2, M. Notman 1
Darley: L. Sobotnicki 4, D. Grenfell, M. Pask 2, B. Porter, T. Minns, J. Edwards, L. Guerra, S. McAllester 1
Best – Melton South: M. Notman, J. Doran, S. Tobin, M. Sullivan, M. Sutton
Darley: L. Sobotnicki, B. Inglis, T. Minns, D. Edwards, N. Jackel, J. Edwards
ROUND 1: Lake Wendouree v Bacchus Marsh, Darley v Melton, Redan v Ballarat, North Ballarat v Sebastopol (6.15pm), Sunbury v Melton South (Tuesday, April 24, 7.15pm), East Point bye
NETBALL
Melton South 26 lt Darley 50
Melton South: Danielle Robertson 12, Lisa Summers 11, Katarina Butigan 3
Darley: Elyce Carlyle 29, Sarah Thompson 21
