Melton Centrals setting itself for clash with Kilmore as it searches for third win of season in RDFL

THEY occupy the bottom two spots on the ladder but Melton Centrals coach Glenn Hopkins has labelled his side’s clash with Kilmore this weekend as “a bit of a grand final”.

RDFL football: Melton Centrals V Woodend-Hesket. Melton's Pete Corridig flies from behind.

THEY occupy the bottom two spots on the ladder but Melton Centrals coach Glenn Hopkins has labelled his side’s clash with Kilmore this weekend as “a bit of a grand final”.

The Centrals have won just two games in the Riddell District Football League this season, while Kilmore is winless from 13 outings.

With the Centrals having a bye in the final round of the season, this will be their second-last chance to belt out the team song again in 2015.

A far tougher clash awaits against finals-bound Diggers Rest next week.

“For both clubs it’s a bit of a grand final,” Hopkins said.

“For Kilmore it’s a really big game for them.

“They’ll see it as a good chance. But I think for us we’ve got enough good players that we’ll be able to do well.”

The match comes after the Centrals fell short of the side Hopkins previously coached — Woodend-Hesket — on Saturday.

The home side went down 14.10 (94) to 12.7 (79) at McPherson Park, a five-goal-to-two third quarter proving decisive after the Centrals had trailed by just seven points at the main break.

“We had a good first quarter and a good last quarter but the third quarter they kicked five goals to two,” Hopkins said.

“It was always going to be a close game the way both teams were going.

“They were just a bit harder and had a bit more speed when it really mattered and that was the third quarter.”

Defender Gordon Bramley was named the home side’s best, while Rex Hickman and Kane Bullen were also solid.

In other matches on Saturday, Brandon Kilty booted six goals in a best-on-ground performance for Diggers Rest as it powered past Wallan 27.20 (182) to 7.9 (51).

Elsewhere, Romsey accounted for Rockbank by 99 points, Macedon took down Kilmore by 63 points and Riddell edged out Broadford by 14 points.