KILMORE are still alive in the Northern Football Netball League division 3 finals race, thanks to a hard-fought 13-point win over Old Eltham Collegians.
The Blues were challenged all day at JJ Clancy Reserve, but it was the third quarter which eventually sealed the win.
In tricky conditions, Old Eltham got the jump by kicking the first goal of the day, but co-captain Josh Coe – who re-signed for another year during the week – responded in kind to leave the Blues hanging in there at the first change, trailing 7-10.
The game opened up significantly in the second term. Katlan Cook kicked the first goal a minute in to give the Blues their first lead of the day, but Old Eltham kicked the next four goals to suddenly open up a 21-point lead.
As the sun came out, Caleb Newport stemmed the bleeding with a much-needed goal, which helped give the Blues confidence.
It was Coe who helped set the tone, kicking his second and third goal to give the Blues new life, trailing at the main break by just two points, 34-36.
It was a segway to what the third quarter would be. Liam Monaghan kicked two goals in three minutes to give the Blues a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the day, before Ryan Johnson kicked a terrific goal to help open up an 18-point lead at the final change, 57-39.
Newport put through the Blues’ seventh-straight goal with a pearler from the boundary line as the final quarter started to make it a 24-point lead, but Old Eltham was not finished yet, kicking three goals to make it a seven-point game with a few minutes left.
However, up stepped Zack Ferguson, putting through the sealer for the Blues to win 10.10 (70) to 8.9 (57).
Marcus Lacorcia was huge, Johnson, Grant Paxton, Chris Barton, Lachlan Connellan and Coe were also likewise key factors in the win.
It leaves the Blues needing a win against Watsonia this week to potentially put them in the top five with one round remaining.
