Ballarat kicks best score in four seasons in big win against Melton South

Andrew Hooper's seven-goal haul led the way, as the Swans ran out 19.13 (127) to 8.4 (52) victors against a disappointing Melton South outfit.

Not since a round 15 win against the same opponent in 2016, has Ballarat made the scorers work so hard.

"It was a good win in the end. We controlled it pretty much from the start, which was pleasing," Ballarat coach Joe Carmody said.

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"We were talking about it in the coaches box; we didn't have to check how much time was left and all the other stuff we normally to do."

The Swans started hot, keeping the visiting Panthers scoreless as they worked towards a 20-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Jake Dunne (four goals) proved an important focal point in attack on his return from injury.

Dunne's dominance in the air, offered small forward Sam James freedom in attack. The Swans' skipper kicked three goals in a best-on-ground performance.

The hosts started the second half with a six-goal lead but showed no signs of slowing down.

Luke Wynd continued his stellar season in defence, helping restrict Melton South spearhead Dylan Conway to just two goals.

The Swans' security down back didn't come at the cost of free-flowing football.

Hooper was able to find space inside 50 and brought his teammates into the game.

The hosts kicked eleven goals in the second half to cap a dominant performance.

"We just wanted to take the scoreboard out of it and keep pressing to our structures," Carmody said.

"We wanted to make sure we didn't drop off in any areas. I thought the boys did that really well."

The Swans have a massive away game against Melton next weekend.

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