Kilmore came from behind to record a 10-point victory over Old Eltham Collegians at Eltham College in the opening round of the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 season.
When the 2021 season ended prematurely, Kilmore sat third on the ladder – just ahead of Old Eltham Collegians.
They were likely finals combatants in the first week of the finals until the season was shut down, so their Round 1 clash in 2022 had a finals atmosphere about it, with a real buzz in the air.
Their previous meeting saw the Turtles win with a goal after the siren by captain Tim Woods in round 13 of 2021, so a close contest was expected.
The fans got their money’s worth, with the Turtles flying out of the blocks at the start of each term – only to see the Blues fight back late in the quarters.
Old Eltham Collegians thrice extended their lead to 15 points under cloudy skies with drizzly rain at times.
The first time was late in the second term before taking a 13-point lead into the main break. The Turtles repeated the dose nearing the midway point of the third quarter, courtesy of a goal by Sebastian Francis-Perkins.
When Old Eltham Collegians forged 15-points ahead yet again early in the final term, the game appeared to be slipping away from Kilmore.
But the Blues kicked five goals to one thereafter to win running away.
Kilmore was winning in the clinches late in the contest with most one-on-one contests going their way. As well as winning inside the packs, they began to find forward targets.
Scott Swindells finished with three majors, including a great goal from a set shot wide out to draw his team to within seven points late in the second quarter.
Bailey Taylor-Egan snagged two majors in the last quarter, while Grant Paxton, who has played mainly as a defender in recent years, booted two.
Recruited from Girgarre, midfielder Hayden Phillips impressed in his return for the Blues after playing in their debut season in the NFNL in 2017.
Jaxson Kinnear was solid down back, while Michael Marrett was busy through the middle. Another positive for Kilmore fans was seeing Chris Ryall return after missing a lot of football last year through injury.
“We didn’t allow ourselves to feel pressure,” Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips said.
“We were a touch cleaner late in the game and it got us over the line.”
Kilmore lost Round 1 of 2021 by a kick to Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. So, to begin their 2022 campaign with a road victory against a highly-fancied opponent is a feather in their cap.
It was a difficult day for Turtled fans. They were level at the first change but led virtually all day until late in the final term, only to be overrun.
There were some positives, however.
“It was great to see some new players star in their first game,” Old Eltham Collegians coach Matt Sleeman said. He liked the work of former Eltham player Matthew Keys across half forward.
Sleeman also praised another player recruited from Eltham player in Tom Rogers, who was damaging in the midfield. Ex West Preston-Lakeside player Jack Snow showed promise and booted a goal on the half time siren.
Nick Milne – formerly of Hurstbridge – looked good up forward and booted two majors, ex Lake Boga ruckman Mathew Crooks performed well in the ruck in his return to the Turtles. Meanwhile, Jesse Howell relished the conditions and contributed well as an inside mid.
Kilmore hosts Laurimar at J.J. Clancy Reserve in Round 2, with both teams looking to take a perfect record into the Easter break.
Conversely, Old Eltham Collegians travels to Waterview Recreation Reserve to face Mernda, with both teams looking to get on the board prior to having a week off.
Final score: Old Eltham Collegians 7.9 (51) def by Kilmore 9.7 (61)
OLD ELTHAM COLLEGIANS
Goal Kickers: N. Milne 2, J. Snow, J. Murphy, E. Simpson, T. Woods, S. Francis-Perkins
Best Players: T. Rogers, M. Keys, M. Crooks, J. Snow, J. Howell, N. Milne
KILMORE
Goal Kickers: S. Swindells 3, B. Taylor-Egan 2, G. Paxton 2, B. Derrick, M. Webb
Best Players: B. Taylor-Egan, H. Phillips, M. McCulloch, J. Kinnear, M. Marrett, S. Swindells
