“We think we’re still right in the finals race.
– Ben Egan, president
We’re still aiming for third or fourth spot – we think that’s a realistic goal.”
While Kilmore will feature fresh faces on and off the football field in 2023, it hopes to retain the competitive spirit that has made it a Northern Football Netball League division three finals regular in recent seasons.
A new era of Blues football seems at hand, with new president Ben Egan and new senior coach Paul Derrick replacing long-term incumbents Paul Maher and Nathan Phillips.
That change has been reflected on the field with the retirements of experienced players such as defenders Steve McIntyre, Pete de Sousa and Kieran Moran, and wing Ciaran Barton.
Also departing is two-time division three league best-and-fairest winner Chris Ryall, who has joined division one side West Preston-Lakeside as part of a bid to secure a spot with Coburg’s VFL squad.
Tall utility Jaxson Kinnear has joined Romsey, while forward Matt Swindells will join Chiltern in the Tallangatta and District league and Luke Chapman will depart for Longwood in the Kyabram District league.
While admitting the side’s depth would be tested, Egan said the Blues were well placed to cover the losses by embracing a youth movement.
“While some people are expecting us to drop off because of all the experience we’ve lost, we’ve actually gained a lot because we’ve become younger, quicker, more enthusiastic and we can play a game style that better suits Northern Football Netball League division three,” he said.
“Our old game style had to be slower and more methodical because we had older legs in our team, whereas now with so many kids and quick runners, we can put pressure on and be hard to play against.
“The best part about it is we’ve got a lot of kids who have now played 40 or 50 senior games and are ready to step up and go to the next level. People like Bailey Taylor-Egan, the Derrick brothers and Caden Fitzpatrick, who is going to be our main ruckman this year.”
Fitzpatrick will serve as a virtual recruit for the Blues after not playing in 2022, while the club has also added the likes of Ben Schraven from Wallan, key position player Aaron Speak from Ballarat Football Netball League side Melton and centre half back Mitchell Portoglou from Riddell district league’s Western Rams.
Caden’s brother Ethan Fitzpatrick has been listed as a 19-year-old by Talent League side Calder Cannons, and will play when available.
Midfielder Leigh Irons will continue to captain the side along with new co-captain Mick Marrett.
Egan said he was confident the Blues would be in the finals mix this season.
“We might cop a bigger beating than we have in the past couple of years when we play against the bigger more experienced teams, but it’s a benefit for us going forward,” he said.
“We think we’re still right in the finals race. We’re still aiming for third or fourth spot – we think that’s a realistic goal.”
Kilmore has also continued to develop its reputation as a netball powerhouse, with the potential to field up to 10 sides in the Friday night compeition in 2023 – a club record.
“That’s massive. We’ll have at least eight, and if we get to nine or 10 that would make us the biggest or equal biggest club in all of the Northern Football Netball League,” Egan said.
Egan encouraged sponsors eager to support the club in 2023 to email kilmorefncsponsorship@gmail.com for more information. Supporters can buy Blues merchandise online via its new website kilmorefnc.com.au.
CONTINUE READING THE 2023 LOCAL FOOTBALL & NETBALL SEASON PREVIEW
