KILMORE’S finals run is over after Ivanhoe put the Blues to the sword in Sunday’s first semi-final.
With the Blues recording a stirring victory over Kinglake last week, there was some confidence going in that they could cause an upset over Ivanhoe at Main Street Reserve, especially given the Hoers were put to the sword last week by the outstanding contested ball game of Laurimar.
However, Ivanhoe came out a different team this time around, not allowing its opponents to get the good start it conceded last week, kicking the opening three goals of the contest.
Kilmore desperately needed a response, and it got it, with Jaden Smith doing what he does best—a goal from long range keeping the Blues in the contest, trailing 21-8 at the first change.
Unfortunately, any feel good vibes the Blues might have had going into the quarter time break immediately dissipated, with Ivanhoe kicking the opening major of the term in the first 90 seconds.
The pattern continued right throughout the term as the Hoers were successful in putting away the Blues by half time, kicking six goals to just four behinds as Ivanhoe led 59-12 at the main break.
Kilmore asked questions almost immediately after the break, but all it could record was two behinds. With just one goal at that stage, it appeared this was not going to be a good day for the Blues.
When Ivanhoe responded by kicking the first two goals of the quarter, whatever sting was left in the game was put simply, gone.
Another goal meant Ivanhoe led 80-15 at the final change.
With Ivanhoe kicking the first two goals of the final term, the margin was suddenly 78 points and a rosy campaign was coming to a rough end for the Blues.
To its credit, Kilmore fought out the game to the end and did get some scoring shots, with Ethan Derrick putting through the Blues’ second goal, and Smith adding his second of the afternoon.
However, the Blues also managed seven behinds, meaning that they couldn’t put some respectability back on the scoreboard.
For a second week in succession, the Blues finished with 34 points, but this time, they kicked 3.16 (34) to Ivanhoe’s 17.12 (114).
The loss ended the tenure of Blues’ coach Paul Derrick, proud that he had managed to get the club into the finals after sitting seventh in round 12.
Chris and Benjamin Barton, Grant Paxton, Ethan and Bailey Derrick and Mitchell Portoglou were all named in the best for the Blues.
The Blues will have representation in division three’s grand final day, however, with the Blues scoring a strong victory over Bundoora in Saturday’s second semi-final.
Kilmore got the jump it desired by kicking five goals to one in the opening quarter and eased to victory by kicking 10.14 (74) to 3.13 (31).
Zac Osmond impressed, as did Rory Taylor, Blake Munari-O’Dwyer, Ryan Knight, Matthew Kichakov and Jarvis Sleep.
The reserves’ premiership defence is over after the Blues were ambushed by Fitzroy Stars in an unusually high-scoring game.
With six goals to one in the opening quarter, the Stars shellshocked the Blues, who were as much as 69 points down before the Blues kicked seven goals in the final term to lose 14.4 (88) to 21.14 (140).
In the netball competition, Kilmore will make an appearance in the division 10 grand final in two weeks time after taking a victory over Bundoora, winning 29-12.
The Blues won two of their five games on Friday night, while Broadford will also have a team in the division 12 grand final after taking a 38-26 victory over Hurstbridge.
Broadford will also have a team in next week’s preliminary final, but will need to rebound after losing 22-38 to Ivanhoe.
