“Our season is not over yet … It would be nice to get a win over one of the big three.”
These prophetic words from Kyneton coach Ethan Foreman translated into reality as the inspired Tigers led throughout to topple reigning RDFNL premiers Diggers Rest by 19 points on Saturday.
The Kyneton Tigers were freshened up coming off the bye after beating Melton Centrals, and the side is now right in contention for fifth spot going into the finals.
This win was the one that Foreman, his players, club president Hayden Evans and a host of supporters were waiting for after a season where injuries have been a real bugbear.
The upset victory also further helps vindicate the Kyneton club’s move to leave the Bendigo league and cross to Riddell this season.
Diggers Rest, stunned the previous Saturday when thrashed 14.10 to 0.3 by a fired up Riddell, was generally expected to bounce back hard on its own territory.
Yet Kyneton opened proceedings on an unfamiliar ground by outscoring the Burras 3.1 to 0.3 in the first term.
Cold, wintry conditions prevailed, but the Kyneton side gained confidence, and went to half time with a lead of 11 points.
The second half was a low-scoring slog and the Tigers still had a handy lead at the last change, with the chance of Diggers Rest going down again reverberating around other match venues.
Kyneton’s 8.5 (53) to 4.10 (34) victory was thoroughly deserved.
“The boys deserved it, fought hard for it, it was a full four-quarter effort and proves we can go up against any side when we’re on our game,” Foreman said after the game.
“I could see it in the boys’ eyes, they came to play from the very first bounce with the belief that we could really match it with them.
“If we drop a game from now it will be tough to make finals so it’s all or nothing.
“If we win all three of our next matches we nearly lock ourselves in, if we win two of the three, they’ve got to be pretty convincing wins because we need to lift our percentage.”
Kyneton occupies sixth place, behind fifth-placed Macedon on percentage.
The Cats, without the services of inspiring captain Jason Cooke, won against Lancefield largely through a strong first half that produced a 21-point lead.
The home side did not capitulate, and both sides failed to score in a real stalemate in the damp conditions in the last term.
The Cats prevailed 8.7 (55) to 6.2 (38) and Nathan Bridgland, veteran James Wright and Matthew Dick were among the Cats’ best, while Riley O’Meara (again) shone for the Tigers, along with Lucas Fellows and Michael Conlan.
This Saturday, Macedon plays neighbour Woodend-Hesket at Tony Clarke Reserve, while Lancefield goes to Kyneton for a return ‘Battle of the Tigers ‘.
REDBACKS’ REVIVAL
In a ‘must win’ encounter at Romsey Park, the Redbacks were less than impressive in the first half against a determined Woodend-Hesket.
The home side’s first and only goal in the first half came from an after the half-time siren kick by Darcy Lockens.
It was a different story in the third term, with the revved up Redbacks applying pressure and backing one another up to pile on 4.5 to 1.1.
The trend continued in the last term; the Hawks restricted to just 1.3 in the entire second half.
Final scores were 7.10 (52) to 4.3 (27).
Once again Daniel Toman was a major possession gatherer for the visitors, and Macedon may already be planning to try and curb his influence this Saturday.
A confident Riddell overpowered Melton Centrals to the tune of 13.11 to 3.3.
While Bomber coach Aaron Bray had previous thoughts his side may not handle wet conditions, his view has probably changed after big wins over Kyneton, Diggers Rest and Centrals in the wet.
Kamen Ogilvie, Luke Cannon and Dylan Tarczon were prominent for the Bombers.
Leading goalkicker Dean Galea managed three majors, and has the half century in sight before the finals.
Ground managers will be hoping for some dry conditions to help the surfaces, which have copped plenty of use in recent weeks.
