A huge crowd at the Kyneton Showgrounds certainly got its money’s worth in a memorable football preliminary final between Macedon and Kyneton on Saturday.
These two evenly matched Riddell League sides gave their all, with the outcome in the balance right up to the time the Cats extended a very narrow lead through a decisive long goal from Toby Sims.
“You deserved it,” Macedon coach Al Meldrum told his overjoyed players after the match.
Equally, with a bit of luck here and there during the match, it could have been the same after-game comment coming from Kyneton leader Ethan Foreman.
Meldrum told his players that winning a grand final is the ultimate, and the next best is actually playing in a grand final.
The Cats now face up to their fourth finals match for 2025 when they tackle flag favourite Riddell in this Saturday’s grand final.
Kyneton’s effort in its second season in the Riddell League has been highly commendable.
The three extremely close contests have been like grand finals, wins over third-placed Wallan and top side Diggers Rest in overtime, then a gallant performance before a crowd which appreciated the efforts of both sides.
Buoyed by the earlier win by their Under 19.5s, the Tigers kicked to the southern end favoured by a slight breeze and soon seized the initiative.
The Tigers’ teenage high flyer Harry Ryan, who kicked six goals against Diggers Rest, received extra cheers when he went near the ball.
Macedon did everything possible to contain him (he ended the match with four goals).
The Cats broke through for valuable goals, and Foreman implored his players to make the most of the second term.
Instead, it was Macedon’s turn to control the ball for periods with some fine team work.
At half time, the Tigers led by two points, and no-one was leaving the ground.
Macedon had plenty of ball in the third quarter, but two late goals left Kyneton trailing by a point at the last change.
At times, virtually all the players were in one quarter of the ground.
It was all or nothing, and Ryan goaled on resumption.
The match became a stalemate, with desperation saves and good play applauded.
Macedon missed a couple of direct shots for goal, and with time ticking down, it was a couple of points the difference.
Then Sims marked a clearing kick and scored his unforgettable goal.
Final score: Macedon 12.9 (81) d Kyneton 10.11 (71).
Best players for the Cats were tireless ruckman Charlie Rossetti, Leo Webb, Blake Watson, Matt Dick and James Gough.
Jason Cooke and Sam Indian each kicked three goals for the winners.
Kyneton’s best were listed as prolific ball winner James Yunghanns, James Gaff, James O’Sullivan, Harrison Huntley, Haydn Smith and Frankie Ellis.
Last goal hero! Macedon utility player Toby Sims may never kick a more important goal than the one he slotted very, very late in the pulsating preliminary final against Kyneton on Saturday. 
Hamish Govan. 
Charlie Rossetti. 
Brad Cooke. 
Final message: Macedon football head coach Al Meldrum expresses confidence in his side at the three-quarter-time break against Kyneton.
