Who could forget the Kangas’ nail-biting upset win over the Bloods in last year’s Semi Final?

Well, Melton can.

A fresh set of eyes in the name of a coach into the 2024 season has re-invigorated a Bloods list determined to deliver on a range of new goals and KPI's from week to week, confident process will take care of results.

It’s hard to fault Troy Scoble in the infancy of his Bloods’ reign with the club’s unbeaten, superior percentage record from its opening four games.

Only North Ballarat gave them a scare getting within a goal despite the Bloods leading all day.

It's hoped more broadly the same challenges for the Bloods will come in the form of the Kangas because let's face it - only North Ballarat, East Point, Darley and Sunbury look capable, on exposed form, of upsetting Scoble's scrupulous plan.

Kangas’ coach Joe Carmody will be no stranger to the potency of the Bloods outfit especially forward of the ball.

Denying dangerous quartet Braedan Kight (25 goals, comp rank #1), Ryan Carter (12, #9), Kyle Borg (10, #13) and Ryan Davis (8, #15) opportunities around goal won't be easy.

Sure, the direct matchups will have a say, but it's the source, the providers that will determine this result - namely the midfield.

If, and only if, the Kangas midfield can win stoppage and clearance numbers efficiently enough to limit turnover can they be given a chance. And it's in this area they match up well against the Bloods - The Johnston brothers, Mikitja Rottumah-Onus, Alex Molan (if available) and Joe Dodd are more than capable of getting the numbers to warrant advantage.

It's how efficiently they avoid an unforgiving, rebounding Bloods half back line that will ask more their execution and decision-making abilities.

The Kangas have two primary threats forward, Strahan Robinson (14 goals, rank #5), and Bryson McDougall (12, #10) both of whom proved a handful at their last meet, on the back of an efficient midfield without Jordy Johnston.

The result will tell us more about East Point and their credentials after their horror first round failure against the similar opposition Darley, a month ago.

PLAYER WATCH
Braedan Kight (Melton)
Dangerous x-factor forward leading the Tony Locket Medal with 25 goals (4 games). Averaging just under 17 disposals per game means Kight is kicking a goal every 2.68 possessions (avg). Look out!

Matty Johnston (East Point)
Key driver in the Kangas upset Semi-Final win over the Bloods at their last meet. The classy midfielder is averaging 20 kicks, 13 handballs, 7 marks, 7 clearances and 5 inside 50's in 2024.

SCOOP’S TIP
Melton