Melton South and Jason Hamilton part ways after eight straight losses

Melton South’s horror start to the season has seen its coach depart. Here’s what the Ballarat league club is doing to bounce back.

Melton South insist former coach Jason Hamilton is not a scapegoat for their poor start to the season but admit changes are needed at the club.

Hamilton last week resigned after being told by the Panthers he would not remain at the club at the end of the season.

The former Braybrook and Reservoir coach was signed at the start of the season to co-coach the club with Ryan Hoy.

Since then the Panthers have started the Ballarat league season with eight straight losses by more than 100 points, including a 192-point loss to North Ballarat last Saturday.

The club is currently on a 15-game losing streak stretching back to Round 10 last season.

Melton South president Matthew Collins confirmed Hamilton had left and it was down to a few reasons for him, not just because he was told this year was his last at the club.

Jason Hamilton (L) and Ryan Hoy during the game against Sunbury this season. Hoy will now coach the team for the rest of the season. Picture: Hamish Blair

And he wasn’t entirely to blame for the clubs poor start to the year.

Instead, Collins said the decision was simple for the club, it needs a complete restructure with a new coach coming from a higher level to recruit players.

“We acknowledge the fact we need to get more players in, so we’re looking for someone who is an experienced coach who has got more connections at higher levels,” he said.

“Jason’s background is around Braybrook and all that and no disrespect to Braybrook but it is a Div 3 footy comp and his connection to players wasn’t probably the level of players we needed in the end.

“(It was) nothing against Jason, we were happy with Jason.”

Collins said the same conversation about both moving on was had with both coaches.

“I know Jason thinks he’s a scapegoat but I can assure you he isn’t,” he said.

“We didn’t go into this season expecting to win the premiership I can assure you that.

“We expected it to be a tough year.

“We’re not blaming him for anything, we’re not blaming him at all.

“We had the same conversation with Jason we had with Ryan.

“And Ryan was fine with it.”

Hoy will finish the season as coach and Collins said depending on what happens he might stay around longer.

It’s been a tough season for Melton South’s Kelsey Rameka and his teammates. Picture: Hamish Blair

“He’s still in the conversation for next year but we are really trying to get a higher level coach if we can or someone who’s got experience at higher levels.

“We need to get more players in, we’re struggling, we’re not delusional about that.”

As for this season the club is confident of playing it out without any forfeits.

But a win might be hard to come by despite the mood at the Panthers being good.

“Surprisingly, even though we are struggling, the spirits are really good,” Collins said.

“We’ll battle through the year.

“The boys are having a good crack but we don’t have the depth the other teams have.

“(Going forward) the coach is paramount.

“We need to get the right person in the job, not to say Ryan isn’t that man.

“We’ve got to get some players in the door.

“Off the ground we are doing really well, but on it we’re struggling.”

Melton South play Bacchus Marsh this Saturday, which could be a chance for the club to end its losing streak.