A blistering nine-goal burst in the second term put a fired-up Kyneton in the box seat against Woodend-Hesket on Good Friday.
The Tigers went to half-time with a lead of 32 points, then shut down the game in the third term, before running away to win by 60 points after seven goals to four in the last quarter.
There was an overflow crowd for the split round match, and Kyneton has rocketed to the top of the Riddell League ladder with a huge percentage.
Remembering their costly loss to the Hawks when trying to secure a finals berth late last season, the Tigers now look to have more depth and versatility.
They had 10 different goalkickers, with the quick and talented Angus Nolte proved a handful for the Hawks’ defence.
Nolte finished with six goals, and experienced campaigners Ryan Pretty and Harry Huntley contributed three apiece.
Playing his 100th game for the Hawks, Bowen Medallist Daniel Toman did not have his usual dominating influence.
The first quarter was an even battle, with players going in hard, and spectators finding voice. Kyneton soon found the opposition was much stronger than the Giants in the opening round.
The Hawks led by four points, and Kyneton coach Ethan Foreman called on his players to lift their game and produce the football they are capable of.
Foreman’s message seemingly got through, with the Tigers surging clear with some slick team play and on-target kicking for goal towards the end of the second quarter.
The third quarter became a stalemate, with just one goal ensuing (to Kyneton).
The Tigers produced another seven goals in the final quarter, with the Hawks kicking four straight.
Young dynamo Ollie Watt was listed as the Hawks’ best, and they have the bye in round three, enabling reflection on an unexpected start to the season — a loss through having too many players on the ground against Melton Centrals, and now a big loss to Kyneton.
Final scores: Kyneton 20..10 (130) d Woodend-Hesket 11.4 (70).
Kyneton went home with a treble on the football field, while the Hawks won four of the five netball matches.
The Kyneton Under 18s set the ball rolling, winning by 115 points, and the Reserves followed up with a 91-point victory.
ON ANZAC DAY
Kyneton now hosts its first game of the season against Lancefield at the Showgrounds in the ‘Battle of the Tigers’ on Anzac Day this Friday, April 25.
Both clubs have full respect for Anzac Day traditions, and hope the occasion is very well supported.
