A SHOOTING shocker from Melton on Sunday ended in a loss to Keilor that leaves the door open to the finals for the chasing pack, potentially at the Thoroughbreds’ expense.
The 55-48 loss at Melton Indoor Recreation Centre leaves Melton (11-5) fourth on the Big V men’s division 2 ladder, behind Keysborough (12-5) and Horsham (12-5) with a game in hand and ahead of Keilor (10-7).
A two-game losing streak has Melton looking to regroup before a must-win encounter against 10th-placed Cranbourne (5-11).
Melton shot a season low 21.2per cent from the field, sinking just four of 33 attempts after half-time.
Thoroughbreds coach Aaron Christian said it was fortunate that Keilor (29.2per cent) had shot almost as poorly in a game that lacked intensity from both teams.
“We’re looking to get two more wins to secure us that finals berth without a doubt, we were fortunate that Keilor lost the night before,” Christian said.
“We opened the door a bit and said ‘you guys can run with us’, but our intensity was down.
“We shot our lowest percentage for the season – open shots, lay-ups, shots we normally hit.
“Jason Christian was 1-15 from the field, he’s normally better than that, all our guys are.”
Jordan Kirk was the only Thoroughbred to hit double-figures, with 20.
“In the context of the season that was one that got away,” Christian said. “We were hit by injuries, lost three guys within 24 hours. The bench was reasonably limited by that.”
Jeff Crowe (groin) and Paul Ross (knee) will not be back in the regular season but could still figure in the finals if the Thoroughbreds qualify.
Christian said the team’s recent loss to Mornington (6-10) served as a warning ahead of this weekend’s match against Cranbourne.
“These games are dangerous because the team we’re playing is relaxed and doesn’t have anything on the line. We do,” he said.
