In a tough away game on Saturday, Kilmore’s senior footballers fell just short, losing 51-64 in a disappointing loss in division three of the Northern Football Netball League.
Coming off a huge win last weekend, the Blues were keen to cement their form and made a promising start to lead by two points at the end of the first quarter.
By half time, it looked like it could be another victory for the Blues as they maintained their, albeit close, lead 4.5 (29) to 4.2 (26).
However, coming out of half time, Kilmore’s’ momentum stalled and Fitzroy used the opportunity to get on top, securing a 16-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Although Kilmore’s defence remained strong with the Stars only managing three points in the final term, the Blues couldn’t close the gap and eventually went down by 13 points.
Kilmore Football Club president Ben Egan said it was a ‘pretty disappointing loss’ after last week’s win.
“This week was really important to try and set up this season. We’ve got a really tough upcoming three weeks so this was a pretty disappointing loss,” he said.
“It’s been a bit of a consistent theme unfortunately that we’ve been up at about halftime every game we’ve played and generally in the losses we’ve had we’ve fallen away at halftime.
“It’s not a fitness thing because we’re a lot fitter than most teams but whether it’s our youth, meaning that we can’t concentrate for four quarters, or whatever it is, we have to address the problem because it’s becoming a serious issue.
“We’re giving away goals at the end of quarters and we’re not playing well after halftime. It’s not a fitness thing so it’s got to be something.”
Two relatively new additions to the side from the under 19s, Joseph Barry and Lachlan Chesher, have slotted well into the side.
“They look like they’ve played more footy than they have,” Egan said.
“Joe has really slotted in nicely into our backline, uses the ball well and matches up pretty well on most types.
“Lachie gave us scoreboard pressure last week straight away. There’s definitely a role for him. We’re crying out for a small forward who can put pressure on and score so there’s a role for him as long as he wants it.”
Heading into the next game Egan said consistency needed to improve and structure could change in coming matches.
“We probably need to restructure a little bit of the way we’re setting up in terms of our structures across the ground,” he said.
“We might be a bit tall and heavy at the moment so we maybe need to change those things up and get more pace and pressure around the ball, particularly in the forward line.
“It’s been our main issue in terms of being able to trap the ball in and give us repeat entry. It’s been a big issue.”
The possible need for ball pressure could see reserves players given a chance in the seniors.
“We had a couple of really good players in our reserves on the weekend that play those roles,” Egan said.
“We have Ben Schraven whose been a big recruit for us and played his first game on the weekend in the reserves.
“We think we might have to bring him straight into the seniors to hopefully give us a bit of pressure around the ball and some class up forward as well.”
Even with tough upcoming games, the Blues remain focused on finishing in the top four.
“We don’t accept the mediocrity. We’re not here to fill in the numbers being the team that finishes fifth, sixth or seventh,” Egan said.
“We’re still pushing for the top four and even if it’s not this season, we really need to use this as an opportunity for growth. Losing games like this isn’t what we stand for.
“We’ll train hard over the break and hopefully come back in harder against Old Eltham.”
Following a bye for the King’s Birthday weekend, the Blues face Old Eltham Collegians at home on June 17. Old Eltham sit fourth, just above the fifth-placed Blues.
Whittlesea
In yet another tough game, Whittlesea lost to North Heidelberg at home on Saturday, going down 4.4 (28) to 16.9 (105) in Northern Football Netball League’s division one action.
From the start it looked like it was going to be a challenge for the winless Eagles, as they closed out the first quarter with only one point to North Heidelberg’s 33.
Although Whittlesea was able to kick two goals in the second term, it was still no match for North Heidelberg who kicked another three goals to further extend its lead.
Coming out of the half it didn’t get better for Whittlesea, kicking one goal to another three from North Heidelberg to extend its lead to 51 points.
North Heidelberg never took its foot off the gas, kicking five goals in the final quarter to win the match by 77 points.
Clancy Bland kicked two for Whittlesea while Blake Watson and Mitch Taplin kicked one apiece.
The loss sees Whittlesea remain at the bottom of the ladder, currently chasing Macleod who have two wins for the season.
The Eagles will face fifth-placed Greensborough in a home game on Saturday, June 17.
