Bloods lock in Scoble for third season

PREMIERSHIP coach Troy Scoble’s tenure at Melton will extend into a third Ballarat league season, with his reappointment announced by the Bloods late last week.

Scoble, who led the Bloods to grand final glory in his first season at the helm in 2024, oversaw a – in many respects – luckless campaign in 2025, which ended with a preliminary final defeat against Sunbury at Marty Busch Recreation Reserve.

Absolutely cruelled by injuries in the second half of the season, the Bloods showed amazing heart and fortitude to rebound and defeat Bacchus Marsh and East Point in their first two finals, before they were eliminated in the preliminary final, but not before bravely sending the game into extra time.

Melton president Matt Kerr hailed Scoble as a high-quality coach with outstanding experience across all levels of community, AFL talent pathway and AFL/VFL programs and supported by a strong set of coaches.

He expressed full confidence in the Bloods’ ‘outstanding coaching group’ being able to take the club forward, with the full support of a united player base.

“We are looking forward to seeing the further growth and development within our list under Scobes and his assistants,” Kerr said.

“Under Troy we have seen the continued development and growth of our home-grown footballers resulting in a premiership in 2024 and an overtime loss in the preliminary final in 2025.

“The effort of the program to chase back-to-back in 2025 was outstanding facing much adversity and challenge throughout the year.”

Excited to see what the Bloods can produce given an improved run with injuries and illnesses, Scoble praised the committee for its vote of confidence.

“This playing group is a special group – unique, resilient,” he said.

“We are driven by the challenge ahead and I am proud to have the responsibility to coach them.

“We are the privileged ones that get to live and feel the Blooderhood culture.

“I thank Matt and his committee for their support and confidence in myself and the playing group in 2026.”

As their focus turns to recruiting, the Bloods will welcome a large number of new players and families from its under-17 team into the senior men’s program in 2026.

Melton became the last BFNL club to lock in its coach for 2026.

Only Redan, which has appointed former GWV Rebels coach Marc Greig, will start the new season with a new leader at the helm.