IT was perhaps fitting that the siren went with the ball in Leigh Irons’ hands.
The beloved Kilmore president, who celebrated his 350th game on Saturday, saluted in a tense affair with Reservoir as the Blues kept their season alive, moving up to sixth position ahead of a key clash with Epping at JJ Clancy Reserve this week.
The Blues got the start they needed, kicking three of the first four goals to hold a seven-point lead at the first change, 20-13.
However, Reservoir, which had already enjoyed a victory over Kilmore this season, hit back in the second as its experienced midfield gave them ample opportunities, and the Mustangs made hay with three goals to one for the quarter to close the margin to one point at the main break, with Kilmore leading 34-33.
In the third term, it was Reservoir which was able to make the key run, hitting the front for the first time for the afternoon, and leading by five points at the final change, 48-43.
However, Paul Derrick, who announced he would be departing the club at season’s end, rallied his troops into action with a stirring three-quarter-time speech, and the Blues responded in kind to take control of much of the play in the final term.
Big goals from Lachlan Chesher and Jared Crosbie helped seal Reservoir’s fate as the Blues were able to celebrate Irons’ 350th in style, winning 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (54).
Irons said it was a memorable day, praising the club culture for helping get the Blues over the line in a critical game.
“I think it epitomises what this club is. The support all year and the culture is incredible. Everyone going nuts at the end is what it’s all about. I’ve said all along that great people make great clubs, and I believe we are a club full of great people,” he said.
“I’ve tried to soak it in as much as I can. I guess they are things you sit back at the end of your career and take the time to do that more. I love and appreciate the respect that’s been shown my way, but at the end of the day, it was about getting the four points and keeping the season alive.”
Irons said Derrick will be a big loss to the club; after saying he would not seek reappointment as coach during the week, while Irons was also trying to keep an eye on the future.
“It’s a unique position being president and still playing seniors at the moment. I’m trying to have one eye on the future as it’s my job to fulfill that role, but (Derrick’s role) will be massive shoes to fill. His last three years have been incredible. He took over from Nathan Phillips at a time where we lost 800 games of experience,” he said.
“The club could have gone two ways, but the way Desi brought us together, kept the faith in the young kids and developed them, we’re starting to see the fruits of that labour.”
In the netball competition on Friday night, both Kilmore and Broadford enjoyed productive nights.
Kilmore 1 and Broadford 1 battled hard in division four, with Kilmore 1 taking a 29-17 victory.
However, Broadford 2 and 3 were able to take excellent results with wins, while Kilmore scored four more wins from eight games, which included a battle between Kilmore 5 and Kilmore 3 which went Kilmore 5’s way, 38-22.
