East Point one game away from grand final after beating Melton

An ex-AFL player has masterminded a stunning result which has seen the reigning premier bundled out of the Ballarat Football League finals.

The incredible run of East Point in the Ballarat league is gathering momentum with the team now just one game away from creating history.

The Kangaroos stunned the reigning premiers, Melton on Sunday, winning a thrilling semi-final final by one point at City Oval.

The heart-stopping result means the Bloods have been bundled out of the finals in straight sets.

Down at three quarter time by six points, East Point kicked five goals to four in the final term to prevail by one point.

Melton had chances in the final two minutes and kicked one goal to reduce the margin to a solitary point, but, despite multiple late forward entires, were not able to register another score.

East Point have now knocked off both reigning grand finalists in the past two weeks after winning their last game of the regular season to make the finals in sixth.

“It’s been a whirlwind the past four to six weeks,” East Point coach Jackson Merrett said.

“At three quarter time in the last round we weren’t in the top six and didn’t look like making finals but found a way to get over the line then and just continued to roll from there.

“It’s a young group and we are continuing to improve each week and have been fortunate enough to hit our straps.

“That is the perks of a young group, we have nothing to lose.”

Melton got the jump early, kicking five opening term goals, to lead by 12 points at the first change.

The season is over for Melton’s Jordyn Cotter and his teammates. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A change in tactics at quarter time allowed East Point to get back into the game, lead and hold on when the Bloods charged late in the final term.

“We challenged our defenders to have some courage to leave their man, be assertive and lock the ball in our forward half,” Merrett said.

“Our defenders fought tooth and nail to turn the ball over.

“They kicked five goals in the first quarter and eight after that and that was pleasing.”

The team also had to bounce back from an early injury to Brad Whittaker who, after just ten minutes, was ruled out for the rest of the game with a calf injury.

Bryson McDougall stepped up in his absence to kick six goals and be the difference in the contest.

“He started the season in the midfield, and then the latter half of the year he was pretty sore and had some niggles so he spent some time forward,” Merrett said.

“He’s (McDougall) found his own in the past four to six weeks.”

Merrett is hopeful Whittaker will be fit for this weekend’s clash against North Ballarat.

He’s confident Jordan Johnston might also be involved after he broke his thumb during the team’s last match against the Roosters in round 18.

“There is a potential he will be back,” Merrett said.

“He meets with his surgeon tomorrow so fingers crossed he can get out there or put his hand up for selection.”

East Point will be out to do what no other club in the Ballarat league has done in more than 25 years - make the grand final after finishing the season in sixth.

East Point's Jackson Merrett is on track to coach the team to a grand final from sixth on the ladder. Something which hasn't been done in more than 25 years. Picture: Adam Cornell

The lowest position anyone has ever qualified for the grand final since 1997 was fifth when Sebastopol made the decider in 2000.

East Point enter the contest against North Ballarat in good form against the Roosters, winning both contests this season.

“They are well coached and they bat deep,” Merrett said.

“Both sides really pride themselves on the contest, so it will be whoever gets the advantage in and around the source and get it going forward will come away winners no doubt.”

The match will be played at City Oval at 2.15pm on Saturday.