Tara Murray
Hume City Broncos’ undefeated start to the season in the Big V men’s state championship season came to an end on Saturday night.
It had been a really good start for the Broncos, winning their first seven games, but Melbourne University proved to be a different test.
Melbourne was able to start well and lead by nine points at quarter time. The middle two quarters were fairly even, before Melbourne found another level in the final quarter, to win 107-91.
Chris Elder top scored with 22 points, but fellow import and star recruit Troyce Manassa played just five minutes.
Speaking before the game, Broncos coach Matt Foster said it had been nice to get some wins on the board early on.
He said their pre-season had been fast tracked compared to 12 months ago.
“It has been a bit different to the last couple of seasons, getting some early wins on the board,” he said.
“It’s been about getting some consistency and understanding plays and how everyone plays.
“We’re pretty similar to what we were last season. The season before we brought in four or five new players and it was about getting used to our system.
The two key inclusions for the Broncos were Manassa and Chris Kaba, to prove more support for Elder, after that had just one import last season.
Foster said the arrival of those two had allowed Elder to take on a different role.
“A lot of people will see that his stats are down,” he said. “He’s had a better season so far, he’s been able to be a key defensively
“Troyce has been doing what we want him to and Chris [Kaba] he has been doing the same.”
Foster said this season there hadn’t been any easy games with plenty of tough opposition.
He said getting early wins on the board would allow them to slightly alter their focus, to how they’re playing and not necessarily all on getting the win.
“We have to improve,” he said. “There’s a lot of upside to get better.
“Some defensive strategies and offensively there’s a few things to get better at and the guys can share the ball.
“We want to make sure the d is as solid as it can be.”
Despite the loss, the Broncos remain on top of the ladder.
