Bloods flying high as a Kight

THE Bloods’ complete four quarter winning performance on the weekend was highlighted by another seven-goal return from co-captain Braedyn Kight.

For the record it was the X-factor forward’s sixth bag of seven goals in eight games, extending his lead in the race for the Tony Lockett Medal to 12.

Kight has 48 goals, averaging six per game, and is in rare air. The Tony Lockett Medal may not be the only medal within his reach in 2024 having featured in the Bloods’ best on 6/8 occasions.

Kight’s impact on games has been significant, unrivalled at least on the goal front, while averaging 16 disposals per game.

Jack Walker continued his run of stellar games against the Cobras, his run and carry a feature again to be named best afield in front of a host of Bloods including Lachlan Walker, Lachlan Phillips, Lachlan Watkins and Ryan Davis (four goals).

The Bloods kicked the first five goals of the game before extending to a match winning 52-point advantage at the main break. Game over.

Despite not winning a quarter, the Cobras saw positive progress in next gen duo Joel Freeman (best) and Cody Gates who weren’t intimidated by the might of the Bloods.

Experienced quartet Tyson Shea, Jake McCreery, Jake Owen (two goals) and playing coach Dennis Armfield ensured the Cobras had their moments, denying the Bloods a contest entirely on their own terms, despite being held to their lowest score of the season.

Next week’s games carry their own weight of interest and expectation as the two sides prepare for like-for-like opponents, having won the same number of games.

The Bloods are on the road to Sunbury (W7 L1) while the Cobras host Redan (W3 L5).

How the coaches rated their performance

OVERALL: Scoble (Melton): “Really well pleased with our response off the bye. We had to be competitive in the contest phase today, a strength of Bacchus Marsh. While we were patchy for periods, lots of the game was fairly even – the Marsh are a very talented young team. Overall, happy with our players application under duress with a couple of rotations down and our ability to make the most of our opportunities forward of the ball. We look forward to playing one of the best performed teams on their home ground in Round 10.”

Armfield (B/Marsh): “(It) was a great learning against arguably the best. Got jumped, five goals down in the first 15 minutes and from there I thought it was an evenly fought game except for another ten-minute patch in the third quarter. They are well drilled, clean, and hurt us big time on our mistakes. Tough game and proud of our lads to give it their all a couple of men down.”

DEFENCE: Armfield (B/Marsh): “Fought hard when slightly undermanned. Tried to generate ball movement, got caught on turnover with Melton’s speed on the ball.”

MIDS: Armfield (B/Marsh): “(I) thought inside the contest we broke even, however we were hurt on the spread.”

FORWARDS: Armfield (B/Marsh: “We got caught a little piggy in the middle today. At times, too high and others too narrow against Melton’s width. Communication improved and we were able to capitalise.”

Final scores: Melton 5.1-31, 9.5-59, 11.8-74, 12.9-81 def B/Marsh 2.1-13, 3.2-20, 5.3-33, 10.9-69

Melton (Best): J.Walker, L.Walker, B.Kight, L.Phillips, L.Watkins, R.Davis.

Melton (Goals): B.Kight 7, R.Davis 4, L.Carter 2, R.Carter 2, K.Borg, J.Walker, L.Walker.

B/Marsh (Best): J.Freeman, T.Shea, J.McCreery, J.Owen, D.Armfield, C.Gates.

B/Marsh (Goals): J.Owen 2, J.Freeman, I.Nixon, D.Armfield, B.Glascott.