Melton second-half comeback earns grand final rematch win over Sebastopol

Melton stormed home in the second half to claim victory in the BFNL grand final rematch and the result had extra significance for the Bloods.

Harrison Hanley battles two Sebastopol defenders. Picture: Hamish Blair

Melton gained more than just four points with a come-from-behind 17-point win over Sebastopol in the BFNL grand final rematch on Saturday.

Bloods coach Aaron Tymms admits his team didn’t handle the Burras’ heat in the first half at Macpherson Oval, giving away a four-goal headstart, before roaring home in the second half.

The 11.12 (78) to 9.7 (61) comeback win, combined with the fact the two teams don’t meet again in the home-and-away season, made it an extra significant result.

“They jumped us at the start, they certainly came to play,” Tymms said.

“They were really physical and we didn’t handle it that well to be honest.

Zach Russell leads the race for the ball for Melton. Picture: Hamish Blair

“At quarter-time we regrouped but we weren’t able to break them and after half-time we made some moves that worked for us and got rewards for it.

“Beating a side like Sebastopol is a bonus because we don’t have to see them again until finals – we don’t travel to Sebas this year – so to only get them once and on our deck is a win, that’s for sure.”

Melton was held to one goal in the opening term and trailed by 18 points at half-time as Sebastopol looked to avenge last year’s grand final defeat.

However, the Bloods surged back into the contest with five goals to one in the third term to snatch a seven-point lead.

The premiers then locked down on defence, after conceding seven goals in the first half the home team allowed just two majors and five scoring shots in total in the second.

It was a 35-point swing but Melton’s margin could have been even more comfortable if not for a wayward 2.6 in the final term.

Harrison Hanley played a significant role in the win, reducing Sebas star Tony Lockyer’s influence, while Adrian Monitto, Lachlan Phillips and Lachlan Watkins also impressed.

After nine goals in the opening two games Ryan Carter was limited to two majors but nine Melton players hit the scoreboard to highlight the club’s attacking threat.

Jordyn Cotter gets a kick for Melton. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Lockyer normally dominates us, he was still very good but not his normal self so from a coach’s point of view I thought Harry was very good,” Tymms said of Hanley.

“A lot more work is going into Ryan from the opposition now, so he won’t get it all his own way.

“He worked really hard to get his goals and when they’re putting more effort into Ryan then other guys get off the leash.”

The win did come with some cost as Johnathan O’Brien limped from the ground with a quad injury and is in doubt for Round 4.

Melton and Darley are the only two undefeated teams in the competition after three rounds.

The Bloods travel to Ballarat in Round 4 to face North Ballarat at Mars Stadium.

It will be the club’s first trip back to the scene of their premiership triumph last season.

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However, Tymms is wary of the Roosters, who have responded well with consecutive wins after a Round 1 loss to Sunbury.

“They’re coming off a really good win and they’ve had the choccies over us at Mars, since I’ve been coaching I don’t think we’ve beaten North at Mars,” he said.

“It will be nice to be back, our last game was a good one, but it will be a good test for us – they’re well coached and well drilled.”

Sebastopol will look to bounce back when it hosts Melton South at Marty Busch Reserve.