AN inspired Kilmore outfit has kept its season alive, delivering a significant blow to Epping’s double-chance hopes with a stirring 37-point triumph at JJ Clancy Reserve.
The Blues celebrated their annual NAIDOC round, wearing their spectacular Indigenous jumper, by holding a Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony prior to the game.
It was the second time Kilmore were able to wear their Indigenous jumper, which tells the story of Bunjil, the Wedge Tailed Eagle.
When the game got underway, it was Kilmore which made all the running.
Keen to make use of the wide expanses of JJ Clancy, the Blues’ running game shocked Epping, and put them on the back foot.
Three goals was the result for Kilmore, with Ethan Derrick and Jared Crosbie in particular busy floating around the goalmouth, delivering an 18-3 cushion at the first change.
Kilmore had a dominant second quarter and perhaps could have put the game away by the main break, if not for inaccurate kicking which delivered two goals from nine scoring shots.
Instead, there were still some questions to be asked at the main break, with the Blues leading 37-12.
Epping had its best passage of the day in the third quarter as they looked to maintain its hold on third position, kicking two goals to one to get themselves in a position to challenge for the win.
However, Kilmore also ensured that Epping would also miss on four occasions, while maintaining a solid gap, leading 44-28 at the final change.
The last term was all Kilmore as they finally released the shackles.
Five goals to two was the result, a reward for the Blues continuing to take the game on as they kept their season alive with a significant 11.13 (79) to 5.12 (42) triumph.
Josh Coe put in a best-on-ground performance, jumping over the top of everything Epping threw at him, while also setting the standard with his physicality on the contest.
Ryan Johnson and Grant Paxton were busy, while Derrick (four goals) and Crosbie (three goals) were too creative for Epping’s defenders. Lachlan Chesher continued his fine season, rounding out the best players for Paul Derrick’s men.
The Blues are now in sixth position, just percentage behind Kinglake in fifth.
Friday night’s netball competition was split, with the top seven divisions taking another week off through school holidays, and the bottom eight divisions taking to the court.
It was a near perfect weekend for Kilmore, which won four of its five matches—the only loss for Kilmore, incidentally, coming through Kilmore 9, who lost to Kilmore 8, 37-15.
However, there were wins for Kilmore 4 and Kilmore 6 in division 10, while Kilmore 7 also had a strong win.
Thanks to the fixture structure, and Broadford 3’s bye, the Kangaroos only had one team take to the court throughout the night, that being Broadford 2, who took a six-goal victory over Ivanhoe 1, 33-27.
