The Sunbury Lions winning streak ended at five in the Ballarat Football League.
The Lions faced their biggest test of the season so far on Saturday, travelling to play reigning premiers Melton at Macpherson Park.
Both sides entered the match with a 6-1 record and among the top teams in the competition.
Melton coach Troy Scoble told Star Weekly before the match that he saw the Lions as one of the teams to beat.
The match lived up to the hype, with not much between the teams all day.
Melton led by two points at quarter time before increasing the margin to 10 points at the main break.
The Lions kicked three goals to two in the third quarter to reduce the margin to a goal heading into the final quarter.
Both teams kicked an early goal in the final quarter before the Bloods kicked the next three to take control of the game.
Jake Sutton got one back for the Lions, but the Bloods responded to ensure they came away with a 13.10 (88)-9.11 (65) win.
Daniel Johnston, Mitch Mclean, Jack Newitt and Sutton kicked two goals each for the Lions.
Jack Newitt, Joshua Guthrie and Jordan Tentonello were named the Lions best.
The loss sees the Lions slip to fourth on the ladder, a game behind the top three sides.
There is a competition wide bye of the long weekend this weekend.
The Lions then face Bacchus Marsh at home before they have a run of matches on the road.
