Kyneton has climbed back into third place on the ladder after edging out Macedon by four points in a hard-fought Riddell District Football Netball League Under 19.5 clash at the Kyneton Showgrounds on Saturday.
With the sides sitting third and fourth entering the round, the match carried significant finals implications, with a coveted double chance on the line.
Macedon made the stronger start after winning the toss and kicking with the breeze, booting the opening two goals to take a 12-point lead into the first break.
The Tigers responded in the second term as their midfield, led by captain Hagan Freeman alongside Gus Mills and Jett Liddicoat, took control of the contest. Archer Cook added two goals for the quarter as Kyneton fought back to take a narrow two-point lead into half-time.
The visitors dominated general play in the premiership quarter but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard, managing just 1.4. Kyneton was more efficient in front of goal and stretched its advantage to seven points at the final change.
Macedon mounted one last challenge with two final-quarter goals, but the Tigers held their nerve despite kicking 1.5 in the last term to secure a four-point victory.
Cook finished with three goals for Kyneton, while Macedon’s Jackson Alabaster kicked two.
Kyneton’s best players were Cook, Gabe Collins, Jackson Balcombe, Mills, Fletcher Young and Nick Clapham. Macedon’s leading contributors were Liam Segrave, Thomas Andrew, Isaac Thorburn, Jacob Lilley, Kohen McLaughlin and Harley Miles.
The win lifts the Tigers back to third on the ladder with six home-and-away matches remaining, strengthening their push to secure a finals double chance.
