In the biggest round 16 win of the Northern Football Netball League, NFNL, division three competition, Kilmore had a huge day with a 25-goal win over Lalor Bloods on Saturday.
It was a strong first quarter by the Blues, kicking seven goals while containing Lalor to one.
The second quarter was slower for Kilmore in front of goals, only kicking one, but the Blues were still able to hold a comfortable 40-point lead.
The second half was a clinic by Blues forwards on how to dominate, kicking eight goals in the third term to lead 16. 18 (114) to 3.3 (21) before kicking another nine in the fourth.
It was a difficult day in the office for the Bloods, eventually going down on their home turf 3.4 (22) to 25.22 (172).
Kilmore’s senior coach Paul Derrick said Lalor’s Reserves team had forfeited resulting in a ‘weird atmosphere’ on the day.
“It made for a very weird pre-game and we probably started a little flat for the first half. We really did what we had to do without working too hard,” he said.
“There was a number of issues but I think it was more the no atmosphere before the game, which was weird. We hadn’t had that at all this year so it was a bit weird for us.
“The first half was ordinary but the second half was really good.”
Kilmore’s Ethan Derrick kicked seven goals while Aaron Speak had six – both named among the best.
Half-forward Lachlan Chesher was named best on for the Blues, kicking three goals of his own, alongside Christopher Barton and Ben Schraven.
“Lachlan Chesher was really good all day. He was probably our most consistent for the day,” Derrick said.
“Ethan and Speaky both took 10-plus marks and they hit the scoreboard pretty hard.
“I think as a team the way we moved the ball after halftime and got it into the forward line for the one-on-ones was good for us.”
Kilmore play Fitzroy Stars at home this weekend for the second last game of the season.
“We’ve got two big games to finish off this year, Fitzroy and Eltham, and our aim is to win both so we’ve just got to keep pushing,” Derrick said.
“I think 90 per cent of the list have re-signed already, which is good for us – now we’ll start looking for new recruits. Going forward things look alright.”
In the NFNL division one competition, Whittlesea had a 47-point loss to West Preston Lakeside, going down 8.6 (54) to 15.11 (101).
Last time the two sides faced each other in round six, Whittlesea lost by 46 points.
Whittlesea took a one-goal lead in the first term before the Roosters kicked four goals to hit the front.
After halftime, it continued to be a tough game for the Eagles as West Preston kicked seven goals to Whittlesea’s one, taking the lead out to 51 points.
Whittlesea outscored the Roosters in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough, going down by 47-points.
Tom Falls was best on ground for Whittlesea with captain Xavier Dimasi and Harry Beattie also named in the best.
Whittlesea play Banyule at home on Saturday.
