By ADEM SARICAOGLU
THE fallout from last week’s spiteful season opener between Melton South and Bacchus Marsh was felt in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.
It was a busy night at the BFL tribunal on Wednesday as Marsh’s Abraham Kur and Melton South midfielder Doug Thomas were both found guilty of offences that took place in the third quarter last Saturday night.
Kur was given a week’s suspension for rough conduct after game footage showed him approaching South’s Marcus Kellett with raised studs in a marking contest.
The incident sparked a near-melee, which saw a number of Panthers retaliate.
Thomas faced two charges on Wednesday, but was only found guilty of making contact with an umpire in what looked an innocuous incident.
He was however found not guilty of striking Kur in the aftermath.
Missing Thomas on Saturday, the Panthers fell agonisingly short of victory away to Redan after coming back from 25 points down at the final change.
Melton South came home hard in the final term, but ultimately went down by just three points.
The Cobras had a better day at home to Sebastopol, coming back from 14 points down at three-quarter time to run out 28-point winners with a stunning eight goals to one in the final term.
Neighbours Darley also had a tough day at the office, losing by just two points away to Sunbury.
The margin remained within a kick at every change at Clarke Oval, but the home team managed to maintain their lead when it mattered most at the end of the thrilling contest.
Melton had the bye, but the Bloods will be keen to finally kick off their 2013 BFL campaign at home to Melton South in this Saturday’s blockbuster local derby under lights at MacPherson Park.
Local rivals Darley and Bacchus Marsh will also meet on Saturday, at Darley Park.
