KILMORE had an arm wrestle with Kinglake on Saturday at JJ Clancy Reserve in a battle for the Country Cup in round four of the Northern Football Netball League division three competition.
With multiple senior players unavailable, Kilmore coach Paul Derrick elevated players from the reserves team, and Jarvis Sleep and Mitchell O’Dwyer were elevated from the 19s.
The first-quarter tension was recorded on the scoreboard, just one goal and three behinds for the Blues and one each for the Lakers, 1.3 (9) to 1.1 (7) respectively.
The clash continued in the second term, the Blues snuck in two behinds and one goal, while the Lakers bagged two goals and four behinds to lead by a narrow six points at half time, 2.5 (17) to 3.5 (23).
Across the third term the incumbents of the Country Cup advanced by another 26 points, and choked the Blues altogether, 2.5 (17) to 6.7 (43).
Kilmore hadn’t found a way to wiggle through the sea of yellow and green jumpers until the final huddle when Derrick told the team to believe in themselves—and they did. Across the final term, Kilmore played an inspirational brand of football – four majors in under 8 minutes saw them roar back into the contest.
In the final minutes Ben Schraven kicked a goal from close range, before Caleb Newport had ice in his veins to kick the winner, helping Kilmore steal a win by three points. 8.6 (54) to 7.9 (51).
Derrick named Marcus Lacorcia, Ryan Johnson, Grant Paxton, Liam Monaghan, Jake Hibbs-Hall, and Bailey Derrick best on ground.
B Derrick, Hibbs-Hall, and O’Dwyer kicked two goals apiece, and one each for Newport and Schraven.
The Reserves team had a triumphant win against Kinglake, 12.13 (85) to 9.9 (63), but the U19s game didn’t go their way, 7.8 (50) to 7.10 (52).
Divisional change a sure thing for the Women’s team
The women’s team played their home game at Epping on Sunday and finished their grading games on a high, with a change of division potentially on the horizon due to their strong form.
Epping were no match for Kilmore. The Blues exploded onto the scoreboard to secure a 31 point lead, 4.7 (31) to 0 at the first quarter, and were just as composed in the second term to finish with a 62 point lead at half time.
Midway through the third term the dark Blues celebrated when Cindy Turnbull kicked their only goal.
The final score shows just how hard the women’s team are training and have quickly bonded. Some say they are Division one material. The Kilmore Blues are anything but their namesake, they had a stable of talent ready and rearing to play.
The final score was 17.16 (118) to 1.0 (6).
Chloe Talbot kicked seven goals and Chiara Nardo three. Brielle Kinnear and Chloe Talbot each kicked two and Grace Gerada, Shenay Reeves and Emma Pyle piled on with one each.
Best on ground players were Jenaya Stewart, Chiara Nardo, Brielle Kinnear, Chloe Talbot, Kristy Nunn and Shenay Reeves.
Wallan played away at Hurstbridge and were outclassed by the Bridges, (0.0) to 7.9 (51).
Whittlesea played Heidelberg West at Whittlesea and won by 13 points, 4.4 (28) to 2.3 (15).
Netball
There was exciting matchups across the NFNL Friday night courts, with ten awesome Kilmore teams vying for the win.
Kilmore one played Kinglake two and triumphantly secured the Country Cup by eight goals, 33 to 25. The U17’s rolled Hazel Glen for an impressive 47-3 victory.
Next week Kilmore travels to play an improved Reservoir for the first time this season in what’s predicted to be a fiery clash.
