After three rounds Kyneton senior footballers are on top of the Riddell League ladder, and this Saturday face an acid test against reigning premiers Riddell.
The drawcard match should attract a large crowd to the Showgrounds, with Kyneton coming off a 66-point victory over a tenacious Lancefield in the Anzac Day ‘Battle of the Tigers’.
Kyneton took until the third quarter to get on top of Lancefield and will be without on-baller James O’Sullivan who sustained a broken collarbone early in the first quarter.
KFNC president Guy Nelson said early indications were that it might not be a season-ending injury for O’Sullivan, who was taken to hospital for attention.
He said Kyneton was looking forward to playing the Bombers on Saturday, following big wins against the bottom three sides in Gisborne Giants, Woodend-Hesket and Lancefield.
Kyneton coach Ethan Foreman has indicated the aim for 2025 is a “top three finish” in what is shaping up as a very interesting season.
There was a real Anzac Day spirit at the Kyneton versus Lancefield match, and the ‘Most Courageous’ medal for a Kyneton player was awarded to Isaac Barassi.
In his first season with the Tigers, Barassi has given the side another talented player who is versatile in a key position or on the ball.
Lancefield’s Zac O’Halloran, in his first season with the club, received the Ike Johnston Medal, named after a legendary figure who gave outstanding service to his club and country.
The Lancefield players wore black arm bands in memory of Col Richmond, the last surviving member of the Tigers’ 1952 premiership team. He died last week.
Both Lancefield footballers and netballers also wore uniforms bearing the names of 13 former Lancefield players who had lost their lives in conflicts overseas.
Both sides attacked the ball hard in the opening term, and Kyneton was tested by opponents who had regrouped after coming off the bye.
At half-time, the home side led by 18 points, and play opened up in the third quarter.
Kyneton’s depth of talent was revealed in the second half, and Lancefield continued to battle hard, but managed another two goals.
Final score: Kyneton 13.23 (101) d Lancefield 5.5 (35).
Barassi, Jack Willmott, Jack Hamilton, Caleb Fisher and Gabriel Yow Yeh were listed as Kyneton’s best.
Lancefield was well served by Darren Robinson, O’Halloran, Riley O’Meara, Noah Smallacombe, Max Taylor and Ashley-James Graham.
Isaac Barassi was awarded the ‘Most Courageous’ medal for Kyneton in the Anzac Day clash. 
Zac O’Halloran receives the Ike Johnston Medal from Romsey-Lancefield RSL president Reinhard Goschiniak.
In the Reserves, Kyneton monopolised the ball in the first half, and Lancefield revived to outscore the home side in the second half in a promising display.
Kyneton Under 19.5s scored a runaway 15.15 (105) to 4.1 (25) victory.
