Melton South stuns RDFNL power Wallan with dominant defensive display

Wallan was kept goalless in the first half as Melton South produced a stunning upset to announce itself as a RDFNL threat, ex-AFL star Marlion Pickett dominant.

Lachlan Pritchard chases the ball down for Melton South. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Melton South secured its biggest win since returning to the Riddell District on Saturday, stunning Wallan by 37 points.

The Panthers kept last year’s grand finalist goalless in the first half at Greenhill Reserve, before running out 13.10 (88) to 7.9 (51) victors.

Marlion Pickett was supreme in a new role at centre half-back, while at the other end, Alec Goodson booted four goals to lead the league goalkicking race.

After not winning a game for two years in the Ballarat league, South has now won four games in five outings and sits fifth on the ladder – leap-frogging the Magpies in the process.

Coach Travis Hodgson said it was pleasing to show what the team was capable of against a top club.

Sam Darley in action for Melton South. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“We were still stinging from the Romsey loss, particularly the way we lost it, but you learn from your losses and we’re better for it,” Hodgson said.

“It was good to get a team that was above us on the ladder at the time.

“We’re excited about opportunities to play against good sides.

“I don’t think anyone would have tipped us against Wallan and no one tipped us against Romsey, so that’s where we’re at – we’re enjoying the opportunity to get a job done that people think we can’t.

“Kyneton this week, we’ve got an opportunity to back it up.”

Wallan had the wind in the first quarter but, staggeringly, was held to just two behinds.

Melton South, kicking against the wind, scored three goals to take an 18-point lead into quarter-time.

The Panthers then took full advantage of the breeze, piling on four goals while keeping the Magpies scoreless, to extend their margin to 45 points at half-time.

Melton South players warming up. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Having learnt their lesson, the hosts came out firing in the third time and had five goals on the board in 10 minutes to narrow the gap to just 13 points.

However, South responded with two quick goals to break the momentum and took a 23-point advantage into the final break.

The visitors could have had a bigger win if not for some inaccuracy in the final term, kicking 3.4.

Hodgson heaped praise on his back seven.

“We kicked against the wind in the first quarter and kept them goalless with it,” he said.

“We defended really well as a team and playing Marlion at centre half-back since half-time in the Lancefield game has been really good for us.

“It’s definitely made us harder to score against but also we get a lot of bounce and offence out of him as well.

“Our backline has been really good all year but, credit to the whole group, when you keep a side goalless for a whole half – a good side at their home ground.”

Pickett was prolific, patrolling the half-back line, while captain Broden Collins impressed in the ruck battle against reigning Bowen Medallist Chris Stewart.

Riley Theo, Sam Darley, Anthony Hibbert and Goodson also all impressed.

Goodson, coming from Sunbury’s reserves, has provided a critical focal point in the Panthers’ attack.

“As you can’t imagine, kicking against the wind we’re rolling one back which means our front half has to work harder, and then with the wind Wallan is rolling one back so it was a tough day for a forward full-stop,” Hodgson said.

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“To kick four and halve the amount of contests he did was amazing.”

For Wallan, Steve Boyall was best afield, while Victor Micallef, Nash King and Harley Short also stood tall.

Melton South faces another stern test with second-placed Kyneton visiting Melton Reserve, while Wallan travels to Melton Centrals’ Arnolds Creek Reserve.

Elsewhere, Diggers Rest remains unbeaten after a 51-point win over Gisborne Giants, Woodend-Hesket showed Lancefield no mercy in a 109-point thrashing and, despite horrific inaccuracy, Romsey defeated Melton Centrals by 20 points.