Melton South claims its first win of the BFL season, leaving Sunbury winless

Melton South handed the midfield reins to its youngsters and it paid dividends as the Panthers secured their first win of the season against Sunbury.

Riley Theo of Melton South handpasses. Picture: Hamish Blair

Melton South is on the board in 2022.

The Panthers’ 21-point victory was the Ballarat league club’s first since Round 7 last year and first at Clarke Oval since 2017.

The contest could have been over at half-time as South booted a wayward 2.8 to take a six-point lead into the main break but it found its range in the second half to win 9.12 (66) to 6.9 (45).

The defeat leaves Sunbury has the only winless team in the competition after four rounds.

“All our games so far we’ve played a quarter or a half and this was a much more complete performance, which was pleasing,” Panthers coach Heath Pritchard said.

William Thornton-Gielen marks for Melton South. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We kicked 2.8 in the first half, we could have put them away, so we kept them in the game for longer than they should have been and the coach was thinking we might have blown our chances.”

The Panthers handed the midfield reins to the club’s youngsters and it paid dividends.

“We put a lot of young kids on the ball and they really did a great job,” Pritchard said.

“It wasn’t our usual suspects, it was 22 blokes across the board.

“Jarrod (Bibby), Cody (Chapman), Mitch Fino and Riley Theo all had time on the ball and none of them are over 20.

“To play inside mid is a big ask and they took up the challenge and Dylan (Jones) in the ruck gave them first use.”

Brought into add much-needed height and experience, Jones was at his influential best in the ruck and around the ground.

Meanwhile, spearhead Dylan Conway booted two goals, which Pritchard said was a big positive.

“We know we’ve got to have more blokes contributing across the board, we can’t just be a one-man band,” he said.

“For Dyl to kick two and a few others to chip in was very pleasing.”

Melton South has faced a tough opening months, facing premiership contender and cross-town rival Melton, Ballarat and Darley.

The Panthers let an opportunity slip last week against the Devils and responded well against Sunbury.

Pritchard is looking forward to the club’s next challenge – East Point at home on Saturday.

In another positive, reigning best-and-fairest Billy Lloyd is expected back while boom recruit Ben Casley is hopeful of playing his first game of the season after a calf injury.

“We’ve been building, playing Melton and Ballarat in the first two rounds, they’re going to be right up there,” Pritchard said.

“Against Darley we were up at half-time and had our chances to win the game but didn’t take them.

“The hardest thing is to stay positive when you’re losing games but to the group’s credit they’ve stuck on and we’ve implemented and trained new stuff.

“We’ve used 35 players in four games, we’ve been hit by COVID and injury so it’s been a bit of a challenge.

RDFL: RIDDELL ROAD WARRIORS CLAIM ANOTHER SCALP

LEADER: GET YOUR BALLARAT FOOTY NEWS HERE

EDFL: AIRPORT WEST GUN HAUNTS OLD TEAMMATES

“That shows you why the win is even more special.”

James Cree, Harrison Minton-Connell and Patrick Scanlon were Sunbury’s best in defeat.

The Lions will look to secure their first win of the campaign when they travel to Darley.

In other results, Lake Wendouree (39) was no match for Sebastopol (87), Melton (80) was too good for Darley (50), North Ballarat (80) defeated East Point (52) and Ballarat (37) edged Redan (31).