Next up in Scoop's club-by-club predictions is Melton. The Bloods will be feeling the loss of big forward Mark Orr, but with a more settled pre-season and an injury-free start, coach Aaron Tymms is hopeful the club can take the next step in 2021.
Scoop’s 2021 prediction: 4th - 8th
EXPECT Melton to tinker with their forward line set up in 2021 in the absence of key big man Mark Orr who has left the club who left the club due to travel.
While Orr's return on the goal front was modest (19) last season in 2019, the structural advantages and flexibility he brings to the line-up will be sorely missed. Not only will the Bloods look a little smaller going forward they will also need to find a pinch-hitting relief option for Ben Archard in the ruck.
Bloods coach Aaron Tymms acknowledged replacing the club’s 2019 Runner Up Best and Fairest won't be easy. You can also add gun midfielders Shaun Campbell (to Parkside) and more recently Connor Griffiths (to Yarrawonga) into the mix of star exits.
"That trio especially will leave a big hole that's for sure," he said.
"We've been throwing the magnets around a bit over pre-season, trying to find the right mix forward with Orry leaving, and [now] how the midfield group will look for us come Round One.
"I expect we'll see players in different roles this year. We could play Ryan Carter forward, but in my opinion, he's one of the best shut down defenders in the comp."
Bloods fans will expect to be a part of the business end conversation for a third successive season after rising to prominence in 2018 with a runners-up result that exceeded expectation. The writing was on the wall for another tilt at a flag in 2019, but their form by their own standards was patchy at best before falling short to Sebastopol in the penultimate week of finals.
Tymms hopes an uninterrupted pre-season and injury-free list will hold them in good stead early for a tough opening month of footy.
"In 2019, we couldn't even get on our ground until Round One, which wasn't ideal," he said.
"And with Archard and Denham going down early with hamstring injuries, it had us on the back foot a little."
While the Bloods had just five players play every game in 2019, they were matched only by East Point for the fewest number of players used (34), mounting the argument that attrition rate is one thing, and who gets injured is another.
Tymms is hopeful there is enough improvement within the club to take the next step in 2021.
Kevin Klix (Deer Park - small forward), Lachlan Watkins (Coburg, Melton South) and youngster Lachlan Phillips (Western Jets/Melton Centrals - midfield) have been welcoming additions for the Bloods in testing times for all clubs post-COVID, while dangerous forward Jordyn Cotter returns after a lengthy lay off with an injury.
"I know we have a young list, most of the guys are still 21-22 years old, but we think there is enough talent here to give it a shake."
Proven match-winning forward, Braedan Kight, is said to be flying on the track, while experienced trio Ben Archard, Matt Denham and runaway 2019 B&F winner Dyson Stevens are moving freely ahead of the shouldering duties that await them in the new season.
Shaun Campbell (to Parkside), Daniel Walker (to Melton South), Darren Haby (WRFL), Michael Hibbert (work), Mitch Brockwell (to Diggers Rest) join Orr, Campbell and Griffiths as the other notable absentees for 2021.
Who knows what influence the departed and a difficult draw will have on the Bloods in 2021?
I'm on the fence.
*Affilliated players: Jake Greiser (Williamstown VFL)
