Melton Centrals first half blitz too much for Lancefield to overcome

After picking up its second win of the season against Lancefield, Melton Centrals is looking forward to getting on the road more often.

Melton Centrals’ Adam Tomac gets his kick away. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Melton Centrals believes an away game-heavy second half of the season could provide a unique boost.

The Blues certainly made the most of their trip to Lancefield Park on Saturday, coming away with a 14-point win – just the second of the season – to keep their faint RDFL finals hopes alive.

Sam Apineru booted five goals and Dylan Clarke and Jake Charge were prolific in midfield as the visitors triumphed 15.5 (95) to 11.15 (81).

The Blues have been hit hard by injury this year and assistant coach Bill Clark believes the ground at Arnolds Creek Reserve has been a major factor.

Centrals have played five home games in the first seven matches but finish with six road trips in the final nine weeks before a final-round bye.

Jarrod Johns in action for Melton Centrals. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We think we can finish the second half of the year quite strongly, we still give ourselves a chance of closing the gap to four or five,” Clark said.

“We haven’t played well at home, the ground is really hard and I think that’s contributed to some of the injuries.

“I think we’re going to enjoy the fact we’ve got a fair few away games in the second half of the season … and we’re confident we can finish strongly.

“It’s only our second win of the year but we’ve been a bit stiff – we were stiff against Woodend and were in striking distance against Romsey – because we’ve had a lot of injuries and that’s cost us late in games.”

Melton Centrals burst out of the blocks with a five-goal-to-nil opening quarter and opened up a 39-point lead at half-time.

The Blues looked to be cruising to victory with a 27-point lead at three-quarter-time but, led by inspirational captain-coach Tom Waters, Lancefield roared home.

The Tigers piled on six goals in a hectic final quarter to give the visitors a major scare and will rue an inaccurate 3.7 in the third quarter that could have turned the game.

Clark admitted his team likely got too comfortable.

“We’ve been thereabouts, we’ve been competitive, but our first half was outstanding on Saturday,” he said.

“We probably didn’t play as well in the second half but we set a high standard … I think we relaxed a tad and got a bit of contentness about us and they got the rub of the green.

“Jake Charge had about 35 possessions and Dylan Clarke had 32 and kicked two goals.

“Sammy Apineru kicked five goals and three or four of those were in the first quarter, he went out of the game but popped up in the last quarter to finish them off.”

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Werribee VFL-listed big man Ariek Lual also impressed, rucking solo without Peter Akech as he recovers from a hip injury.

“Ariek has been really good the last couple of weeks we’ve had him,” Clarke said.

“We didn’t have him earlier in the year, Werribee are going OK at VFL level, he’s a great kid, terrific skills, great culture and the boys love playing with him.”

Melton Centrals travel to Riddell on Saturday, while is on the road at Romsey.