KILMORE might have finished a game outside the Northern Football Netball League division 3 finals but wins like Saturday against top three team Mernda at JJ Clancy Reserve will give the young group extreme confidence going into a full 2027 campaign under Mick Marrett.
The Blues charged back into the game after sitting as much as 34 points down – with three on the bench for the entirety of the game – to take a 20-point win in an excellent ending of a challenging 2026 season full of twists and turns.
The Blues had a footing in the game early on but were also let off the hook by Mernda only managing three goals from nine shots.
Mitchell O’Dwyer and Jaden Smith got the Blues on the board as they trailed 14-24 at the first change.
Mernda kicked four of the first five goals of the quarter to lead by 34, with the Blues’ sole effort coming through Caleb Newport.
Two late goals from Smith ensured the Blues were still in the game at the main break, trailing 34-55.
The Blues went into overdrive to start the third quarter. Smith kicked his fourth, followed by William O’Dwyer-Richards. Mernda kicked a goal, but Smith’s fifth, followed by two majors to Lachlan Chesher, suddenly had Kilmore in front.
Two further goals to Grant Paxton and O’Dwyer had JJ Clancy rocking as the Blues led by 15 at the final change, 79-64.
It was goal-for-goal early in the last quarter, but two goals to Katlan Cook and another through Chesher meant the Blues took a confidence-boosting win, 15.9 (99) to 11.13 (79).
Barton played an inspirational game, while Newport, Smith, O’Dwyer-Richards, Josh Vilinskis and Ryan Bailey also performed well.