Melton South stages late comeback to salvage draw against Redan

Despite trailing at every break and falling as many as six goals behind in the final term, the Panthers didn't roll over and fought back to salvage a 44-44 draw.

The result left Redan coach Karrina Knowles to rue a missed opportunity.

"I thought that we were on top of the game, and it was pretty much our game," she said.

"They put the pressure back on us, and we weren't able to contain our game.

RELATED: Redan notches first win with last-minute goal

"I'm not blaming the youth we have in our team. I think it was good for them to play under pressure, but we just couldn't maintain our composure."

The Lions had a tough season-opening loss to perennial powerhouses North Ballarat, though it offered plenty of points Knowles' young group was able to address at the weekend.

"We're starting to link in our thirds really well," Knowles said.

"It's something we've been working towards, and I was pretty excited about how we were playing, those first three quarters especially. We attacked really well, and that was something we needed to work on and something we'd talked about."

Redan next plays a Ballarat side looking to rebound after a tough second-round showing against North Ballarat.

The Swans wasted little time crashing the reigning premiers' flag unfurling, racing out to a six-goal lead in the opening quarter.

Ballarat temporarily lost young shooter Allana Van Dyken to an ankle injury, with North Ballarat's experienced mid-court using the opportunity to wrestle back momentum.

Working well with goalie Poppy Douglass, who flourished coming deep to collect the ball, the Roosters' mid-court helped the hosts enter the huddle with a slender one-goal lead.

Stacey Matthews, originally at centre, and sister Gina McCartin, wing attack, swapped positions to start the second quarter, and the move saw the Roosters dominate.

However, it didn't translate on the scoreboard as the Swans' defenders pushed their opponents into shooting from difficult positions.

Ballarat's goalies backed up the good work when the ball came their way and helped their side hit half-time with a 29-26 lead.

The second half demanded some individual brilliance to break the stalemate, and reigning league best-and-fairest Madison Selmon led the way with the Roosters shooting at 87 per cent to close the game.

In the end, the hosts' class prevailed, and the Roosters celebrated a 63-49 win.

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.