TWO sides expected to be right in the mix come September in Harrow-Balmoral and Kalkee battled it out on Saturday, with the Southern Roos coming away with a close 19-point win.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a highly anticipated fixture featuring two of the Horsham District league’s pace setters early in the season, the two sides traded goals for much of the afternoon.
Harrow-Balmoral had a slight five-point lead at the end of the first quarter, with barely anything separating the sides in the first term.
Southern Roos coach Nick Pekin said it was a fast-paced game.
“It was a really high tempo game and I’m sure the spectators would have loved it,” he said.
“It was a really physical contest and there weren’t too many passengers. The standard of football was one of the best I have played in for a while.”
Kalkee hit the front at the end of the first half by just two points.
Read more: Saints cause an upset against Natimuk United
“It was goal for goal for pretty much the whole day,” Pekin said.
Harrow-Balmoral used the ball more cleanly in the second half, as the side opened up a 15-point lead at the end of the third term.
Bodies tired in the last term, but there were still plenty of goals kicked as Harrow-Balmoral finished victors.
Kalkee co-coach Hamish Exell said despite the loss there were positives for his side.
“We walk away disappointed that we didn’t win the game, but we know that if we can play a bigger percentage of the game next time on our terms, it’s going to be closer,” he said.
“We take plenty of positives away from the game. I don’t think we ran out of puff. We just made some skill errors and our decision making at times hurt us.
“We made some costly turnovers and we probably didn’t kick the ball long enough. We should have been trying to make some more one-on-one opportunities in the forward line.
“It was a good game. The factor in the end that tipped it in their way was that they delivered the ball to their forwards a bit better than we did. They kicked a bit straighter at goal too.”
Pekin praised his full-forward James Staude, who kicked six goals for the game.
“Staude the last couple of seasons hasn’t had the love for the game, but he has been putting in very hard and is well respected around the club,” he said.
“He is a genuine full-forward and is learning to play our structures. This year he has to work within the team and has the ability to score goals, so he has come a long way.”
Pekin said come the end of the game there were some tiring players, and that he was pleased with how his team tackled one of the league’s better side.
“There were a few tired bodies at the end of the game, with players cramping from both sides,” he said.
“It was a physical day and the standard was great. Turnovers cost you and Kalkee certainly made us pay for any turnovers.
“I thought they were the benchmark, with the recruits they have and the way Stuart Farr coaches. Hamish Exell too played another good game and I think for sure they will be up there and will keep winning.
“Hopefully we can keep progressing and keep winning games, because these early games are pivotal come the end of the season.”
Read more: Horsham District round three scores, photos