Kalkee 50 d Edenhope-Apsley 25
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KALKEE overcame terrible conditions on Saturday to run out 25-point winners over Edenhope-Apsley.
Howling winds and rain made scoring difficult, with only 10 goals kicked for the game.
It was an important win for the Kees, who will now push to challenge Harrow-Balmoral’s hold over third spot on the ladder.
Kalkee coach Trevor O’Brien said it was an important win in the context of the season.
“To lose on Saturday would make finishing in third spot very hard, so we’re keeping ourselves in the running for that, which is our goal,” he said.
Ross McCrae and Steve Schultz were standout players for the home side, while Josh Mibus, Brendan McDonald and Paul Christian also contributed.
Imported key forward Liam French kicked two goals in trying conditions to take his season tally to 23 from five games.
O’Brien said French added another dimension to the Kees’ forward structure.
Saints ruckman Jeremy Kealy was one of the better players for the visitors, playing on the ball for the game.
Edenhope-Apsley struggled to make an impression on the scoreboard after quarter-time, managing just 1.5 for the remainder of the match.
O’Brien said he was pleased with his side’s four-quarter effort.
“It was a massive win in those conditions,” he said.
“The boys really stuck at the task.”
He said the poor conditions made every goal vital.
“It was very slippery so I think two goals meant a bit more than two goals,” O’Brien said.
Edenhope-Apsley coach Grant Coxon said Kalkee’s physical presence suited the conditions.
“They are a lot bigger and stronger than we are,” he said.
“Not necessarily around the stoppages, but when there was a loose ball a few of our lighter guys were knocked off it a bit.
“Their body size and experience got them over the line.”
Coxon said his side’s continued application was a positive to take from the loss.
“We kept having a go,” he said.
“In the third quarter there wasn’t much scoring and we beat them a bit.”
Coxon said the team would now turn its attention to the run home.
“We’ve got six winnable games coming up so we’ve got to start stringing a few together,” he said.
After the mid-season break, Kalkee will host Swifts and Edenhope-Apsley will play Natimuk United at Apsley.