MELTON'S chances of winning this year's Ballarat Football League premiership have suffered a major blow after full-forward Dane Grenfell was suspended for breaching team rules and curfews.

Article first appeared: 01 September 2007   Herald Sun

Grenfell was axed from this weekend's side for failing to co-operate with team officials.

The full-forward has kicked 28 goals for Melton since he returned to the club after a one-year hiatus.

His absence from today's elimination final against third-placed Redan is expected to dent sixth-placed Melton's chances of progressing through to the Ballarat League semi-final.

Melton president Michael Williams said Grenfell, 22, would remain suspended until the board met again on Monday to discuss his future.

"Indications are he hasn't been giving us full input as a player and that's why we've done what we've done," Williams said.

"It was a frustrating decision to make because Dane came back to the club this year after leaving us for a year and we have done everything we could to oblige him and make him feel comfortable again.

"We've done our best and I don't know what else we can do, really. He hasn't given us much back for our efforts."

Meanwhile, minor premier East Point plays second-placed Sunbury in today's qualifying final. Ballarat plays Melton South tomorrow in the second elimination final.