New coach Aaron Tymms knows all too well how finely balanced Melton’s immediate future potentially is.
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Improve, find at least another three wins and Melton is likely to find itself back in finals after an extended period on the outer.
Drop off marginally and Melton will be at the wrong end of the competition.
All the signs though in Tymms’ mind are that the Bloods are going in just one direction and that is up.
For too long Melton has promised much and not delivered – something Tymms, who is in his second year involved at MacPherson Park, is well aware of.
It was the potential he saw last season that persuaded him to give senior coaching one more go.
He said after being in charge for three years at Western Region Football League club Albion until the end of 2016 he never thought he would again be a head coach.
Right now he is excited by what he see as Melton, so much so he has been brave enough to predict finishing as high as second or third.
He said he could not be happier with the pre-season with players adopting a more professional and committed approach.
Tymms said this had been a major focus and had been assisted by a productive recruiting campaign which secured players from the VFL and successful clubs.
He singled out Bacchus Marsh premiership player Matt Denham, who has moved back to where started his junior football after being a key member in two highly successful years for the Cobras.
Tymms said Denham, who had been appointed vice-appointed, had brought a great insight on his experiences with a club which had taken up the challenge and risen to the top.
He said Melton was not just working for this year.
“We’re planning for the long-term. If we get it right we can go places.”
Unfortunately Melton will have to push forward without new signing and Coburg VFL-listed Nick Dodge, with him requiring medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
Q: What do you see as key on-field strength?
We have made a concerted effort to inject more pace - something which was needed going on last year. We also want to see better use of the football, better execution. Control the football longer.
Q: What is your key message as coach this year?
Players have to buy in. There are no options. We don't want players half-hearted and getting in the way. They have to be all in.
Q: How have pre-season preparations gone?
It's been fantastic so far. Numbers have been high right through.
Q: Which player are you most excited about?
We have a strong leadership team headed up by co-captains Braedan Kight and Ben Archard, and vice-captain Matt Denham.
The Bloods’ Fact File
COACH
Aaron Tymms (first year) non-playing
2007 SEASON
Home and away: ninth, 5 wins, 11 losses
Best and fairest: Ben Archard
KEY ARRIVALS
Matt Denham (Bacchus Marsh)
Nick Dodge (North Shore, GFL) *Coburg VFL listed 2018
Jake Greiser (Keilor) *Williamstown VFL listed 2018
Darren Haby (Sunshine, WRFL)
Anthony Hibbert (Melton South)
Elliot Kavanagh (Doncaster, EFL) *not expected to play
KEY DEPARTURES
Damon Falzon (St Albans, WRFL)
Gus Grigg (Moama, MFL)
Michael Licciardo (East Keilor, EDFL)
Mark Maric (Tullamarine, EDFL)
Brock McGregor (Keilor, EDFL) *Williamstown VFL listed 2017
Matthew Poland (Point Cook, WRFL)
Dillon Sharp (Melton South)
Dyson Stevens (Deer Park, WRFL) *Northern Blues VFL listed 2017
Nathan Wallace (St Albans, WRFL)
2018 FIXTURE
R1: Melton South (h)
R2: Darley (a)
R3: East Point (h)
R4: Sunbury (a) night
R5: Ballarat (h)
R6: Redan (a)
R7: Bacchus Marsh (h)
R8: Lake Wendouree (a)
R9: bye
R10: Sebastopol (a)
R11: N Ballarat City (h)
R12: Redan (h)
R13: Melton South (a)
R14: bye
R15: Sebastopol (h)
R16: Ballarat (a)
R17: Sunbury (h)
R18: Bacchus Marsh (a)